Clayton Kershaw Relished Locker Room Celebration As Dodgers Clinched NL West

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Clayton Kershaw is certainly enjoying his last go-round with the Dodgers.
L.A. clinched the NL West on Thursday with an 8-0 win over the Diamondbacks. While other champagne celebrations may be ahead for last year's World Series champions, Kershaw made sure to enjoy this one. Last week, he announced that this season would be his last after 18 years in Dodger blue.
He made his last start on Friday, which the Dodgers won although he recorded a no-decision after throwing 4 1/3 innings and striking out six batters while letting up two earned runs. L.A. has won six of their last eight games and officially clinched the division Thursday with their lead on the Padres.
A shirtless Kershaw was absolutely joyous in the locker room, relishing every moment as he gave an epic interview to AM 570 LA's David Vassegh, who asked the veteran lefthander if he wanted his shirt back.
"No, I don't want my shirt back. I don't want goggles, I don't want a shirt. I hardly want pants, Dave!" Kershaw responded via SportsNet LA.
"I DON'T WANT GOGGLES, I DON'T WANT A SHIRT, I HARDLY WANT PANTS, DAVE!"
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 25, 2025
- Clayton Kershaw during the Dodgers champagne celebration today to @THEREAL_DV 🤣 pic.twitter.com/sc4F0DzyOQ
He made sure to enjoy a victory cigar, too:
Clayton Kershaw and the @Dodgers are used to the #CLINCHED feeling 😤 pic.twitter.com/2frB8fkXzL
— MLB (@MLB) September 25, 2025
You can watch the full celebratory interview below which Vassagh somehow conducted with Kershaw's shirt draped over his head.
"We're all gonna feel the burn today."
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 25, 2025
Clayton Kershaw talks with @THEREAL_DV after the #Dodgers shutout the D-backs, winning 8-0; clinching their 12th division title in their last 13 seasons. #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/og8dOpUwGU
The Dodgers wrap up their regular-season schedule with a three-game series in Seattle against the Mariners this weekend where Kershaw is scheduled to pitch the finale Sunday. We'll see what he has in store if more champagne celebrations are in L.A.'s future.
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Blake Silverman is a writer at Sports Illustrated, primarily covering the NBA and WNBA. Before joining SI in November 2024 as a breaking/trending news writer, he covered the WNBA, NBA, G League and college basketball for numerous sites, including Winsidr, SB Nation and A10Talk. He’s an alum of both Michigan State and St. Bonaventure University, receiving a master’s degree from the Bonnies’ sports journalism program. Outside of work, he’s a husband, father, yogi and fairly mediocre tennis player who’s open to any tips on how to play defense in EA Sports College Football.