Dodgers Fans React to Clayton Kershaw Retirement Announcement

Jul 2, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) acknowledges the crowd after striking out Chicago White Sox third baseman Vinny Capra (41) for his 3000th career strike at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Dodgers revealed starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw will retire at the end of the 2025 season, ending an illustrious 18-season career.

pic.twitter.com/Y3wehQaONJ

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 18, 2025

Kershaw has spent all 18 of his big league seasons with the Dodgers, who drafted him No. 7 overall in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in Dallas, and has won everything during his time with LA. The southpaw won the NL MVP award in 2014, won the 2020 World Series and only missed out on 2024 due to injury, took home three Cy Young awards and a Gold Glove and made 11 All-Star Games throughout his career.

The 37-year-old holds several active MLB records, such as win percentage (.698), ERA (2.54), shutouts (15) and ERA+ (154).

More news: Dodgers Make Massive Clayton Kershaw Retirement Announcement

Kershaw is set to make his final regular season start at Dodger Stadium against the San Francisco Giants on Friday. The starter had touched on a potential retirement all season before Thursday.

"I think not letting an injury be the reason I stop, I think that's probably the main thing," behind his decision to re-sign with the Dodgers for another season," Kershaw said to AM570's David Vassegh in May. "I don't want (my decision to retire) to be because I didn't rehab an injury well."

"Look, if I get out there and get shelled and I'm not any good anymore and just the time is the time, then that's one thing," he added. "If another hitter gets the best of me, that's one thing. But I'm not going to let myself do it to myself."

More news: Dodgers Provide Unfortunate Will Smith Injury Update as Postseason Nears

Kershaw has made 20 starts this season after bouncing back from a bone spur and torn meniscus in the offseason, and has been an important part of the Dodgers' rotation in 2025. He has a 3.53 ERA through 102 innings, and has struck out 71 batters, which pushed him past the 3,000 strikeouts mark against the White Sox in July.

Fans have taken to social media to express their appreciation for the future Hall of Famer.

BREAKING: Clayton Kershaw is retiring after the conclusion of the 2025 season 🚨

Tomorrow will mark the final regular season start of his legendary Dodgers career.

Thank you for everything, GOAT 🐐 pic.twitter.com/fA7l4U1acs

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) September 18, 2025

Mood for the rest of the season after Kershaw announcing his retirement pic.twitter.com/c7wrzBTg5d

— ANDREW (@Dodgersdryphone) September 18, 2025

“Dad, what was it like watching Clayton Kershaw” pic.twitter.com/YPCLwJuDZU

— DodgersMuse (@LADodgersMuse) September 18, 2025

I saw Clayton Kershaw pitch when I was 5.

I saw him nearly throw a perfect game vs the Angels

I saw his 3,000th strikeout

Thank you 🐐💙 pic.twitter.com/Rd9W3hwOwh

— Henry Thuss (@HenryThuss) September 18, 2025

Clayton Kershaw has a ton of respect in my book.

He was so good for the #BeatLA rivalry

Congrats on one heckuva HOF career. pic.twitter.com/sFkzdrDuc5

— The Trout Farm (@Mike__McKenna) September 18, 2025

Damn, truly the end of an era. Definitely my favorite pitcher of all time. Hopefully he can close out this season on a high. Very bitter sweet moment, knew this was coming. Kershaw is an absolute legend 🐐 https://t.co/TjkkDVM8c1 pic.twitter.com/u6RP3hDISP

— Kyle (@big_kale_) September 18, 2025

They say the saddest day of a parent's life is when their child goes off to college.

Well, I don't have kids, so Clayton Kershaw retiring after 18 seasons is the closest thing I'll have to that.

My favorite player of all-time. His final start will be scheduled waterworks. https://t.co/ZVQlTQ0lEM

— Louis Addeo-Weiss (@addeo_louis00) September 18, 2025

BREAKING: Clayton Kershaw announced that he will be retiring after 18 seasons.

The future first-ballot Hall of Famer overcame multiple injuries to return this year. He proved he can still get it done at the highest level. His legacy is cemented. He gets to go out on his terms. pic.twitter.com/L2rLwiyec0

— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) September 18, 2025

#baseball will miss the 🐐. What a career! pic.twitter.com/PxH9GqpJai

— VegasPropKing (@VegasPropKing) September 18, 2025

Thank you for everything, Kershaw. https://t.co/pEC7Sc4xEZ

— CK (@CooperKnox) September 18, 2025

MLB needs to do the right thing and make this game free for everyone to watch

You just can’t have Kershaw’s last home start behind an Apple TV subscription pic.twitter.com/z8Utx40g1L

— AT (@YankeeWRLD) September 18, 2025

Clayton Kershaw career:

2.54 ERA
lowest by live-ball pitcher (250+ starts)

1.02 WHIP
lowest by live-ball pitcher (250+ starts)

.590 OPS
lowest by live-ball pitcher (250+ starts)

There’s a good-faith argument he’s the best regular-season pitcher of the last 100+ years.

— Paul Hembekides (Hembo) (@PaulHembo) September 18, 2025

For more Dodgers news, head over to Dodgers on SI.