Clayton Kershaw Retires on Top as Dodgers Clinch Second Consecutive World Series
In a storybook ending that even Hollywood couldn’t script better, Clayton Kershaw has officially hung up his glove after the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their second consecutive World Series championship. The 37-year-old pitching legend concluded his illustrious 18-season career – spent entirely with the Dodgers – following a nail-biting Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. The dramatic finale saw Los Angeles edge past Toronto 5-4 in 11 tense innings on November 1, 2025, at Rogers Centre. Major League Baseball paid tribute to Kershaw immediately after the game, noting that the future Hall of Famer was “going out on top” – a fitting conclusion to one of baseball’s most remarkable careers that included 11 All-Star selections and three Cy Young Awards.
On the day of his final game, Kershaw reflected on the emotional significance of the moment. “I have so many emotions. I think all of us do,” he shared with MLB Network hours before the decisive game. “It’s Game 7 and I think about it all. I’m gonna miss it like crazy, putting on my uniform for the last time… But, at the end of the day, when you think about it, getting to be out here for a Game 7 as your last game. How cool is that, man? You can’t script it any better than that so I’m just really grateful. It’s going to be an awesome night and hopefully one more win.” Though Kershaw warmed up in the bullpen during the game, it was Yoshinobu Yamamoto who secured the final outs with a game-ending double play, giving the Dodgers their championship and Kershaw his perfect farewell.
Throughout the postseason, Kershaw’s family was a constant presence at games, with wife Ellen and their four children – Cali, Charley, Cooper, and Chance – cheering on the beloved pitcher. The Kershaw family is also expanding, as the athlete revealed during a June interview with Dodger Nation that Ellen is expecting their fifth child – another daughter. “We’ve got #5 coming,” he said with evident joy. “We’ve got another girl coming. We’ve got bookend girls to go with our three boys.” This growing family has been part of Kershaw’s journey throughout his career, and now they’ll have his undivided attention as he steps away from professional baseball.
The Dodgers’ World Series triumph wasn’t without challenges, as the team faced an unexpected roster adjustment when reliever Alex Vesia took leave just days before the championship series began. The organization announced, “It’s with a heavy heart that we share that Alex Vesia is away from the team as he and his wife Kayla navigate a deeply personal family matter. The entire Dodgers organization is sending our thoughts to the Vesia family and we will provide an update at a later date.” While specific details remain private, the absence was keenly felt throughout the team, especially considering Kayla is pregnant with the couple’s first child.
The Dodgers demonstrated their solidarity with Vesia through a touching gesture, stitching his number into their caps ahead of Game 3. Kershaw, speaking to the press afterward, explained the team’s motivation: “It’s just something that we talked about. I’m new to the bullpen, but Ves, he means a lot to all of us. And he was a huge part of this team, huge part of that bullpen. So, we just wanted to do something to honor him.” Fellow pitcher Evan Phillips added that Vesia’s situation had been “playing on our hearts recently” and emphasized that while they missed his presence on the field, “we know that we have his back and the support’s there for them while they’re going through this hard time.”
As the baseball world celebrates the Dodgers’ championship and Kershaw’s remarkable career, this moment represents both an ending and a beginning. For Kershaw, it marks the conclusion of nearly two decades devoted to a single team – a rarity in modern sports – and the start of life beyond the diamond with his growing family. For the Dodgers organization, it closes another triumphant chapter while opening questions about their pitching rotation moving forward without their longtime ace. But for now, the focus remains on Kershaw’s perfect exit – a champion walking away on his own terms, surrounded by teammates, family, and the respect of the entire baseball community. In an era where sports legends often play past their prime or move between teams chasing final paydays, Kershaw’s departure stands as a testament to timing, loyalty, and the rare opportunity to write one’s own ending.
