Key Highlights
- Clayton Kershaw played his final game at Dodger Stadium in Game 5 of the World Series.
- Kershaw announced his retirement last month and will finish his career this weekend in Toronto.
- The pitcher experienced some defining moments, including a no-hitter in 2014 and his 3,000th strikeout earlier this year.
- Despite past disappointments at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw expressed gratitude for the memories during his last game.
The Last Game: A Moment of Gratitude
Clayton Kershaw’s final appearance at Dodger Stadium was a poignant one. The 37-year-old pitcher played his last game in Game 5 of the World Series on Wednesday night, marking the end of an 18-season career that saw him become a household name in baseball.
After the game, Kershaw dropped his guard and began to look around, reflecting on the past three hours. He had been mentally preparing for a potential relief appearance from out in the bullpen but when that didn’t come, he let himself relax. “It’s a weird thought, of like, ‘This is your last game ever there,'” Kershaw said, expressing gratitude rather than sadness.
Reflections on Dodger Stadium
Kershaw’s journey began in May 2008 when he made his big-league debut with the Dodgers. Over nearly two decades, he became a future Hall of Fame pitcher, capturing three Cy Young Awards and leading the team to numerous victories. He is also remembered for his no-hitter in 2014 and his 3,000th strikeout earlier this year.
Despite facing some challenges during his time at Dodger Stadium, such as repeated October disappointments, Kershaw cherished the memories. “I just started thinking about it when the game ended,” he said. “It was like, ‘Man, we spent a lot of great times here.'”
A Special Postgame Moment
After the game, Kershaw lingered on the field with his wife Ellen and their four children for an impromptu gathering with family and friends. “Ellen just texted after and was like, ‘Hey, we got a big crew,'” he said, adding that they would hang out. Television cameras caught Kershaw laughing as his kids ran the bases, tried to throw baseballs at a hovering drone, and enjoyed their childhood playground.
“Honestly, it was awesome,” Kershaw stated. “It was the perfect way to do it. Just have everybody out there, running around … It was unplanned, unprompted, but a great memory.”
Looking Forward: A Bittersweet End
Kershaw is hoping to add one more Dodger Stadium memory next week if his team can reverse its three-games-to-two deficit in the World Series. Regardless of the outcome, he will have a couple parting moments to cherish, from Wednesday’s postgame scene down on the field, to his final career Dodger Stadium outing in Game 4 where he stranded the bases loaded in the 12th for one of the biggest outs in his entire career.
As Kershaw steps into retirement, he leaves behind a legacy that will be remembered at Dodger Stadium and throughout baseball. His final game was a fitting tribute to a career filled with triumphs and challenges, ending on a note of gratitude and appreciation for the memories made.
