Kershaw’s final start closes an era in Los Angeles

Rodney Knuppel

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Kershaw’s final start closes an era in Los Angeles image

Clayton Kershaw walked off a big-league mound for the last time Sunday, and he did it the only way he knew how, by winning. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace of a generation threw 5⅓ scoreless innings in a 6-1 victory over the Mariners, striking out seven and allowing just four hits on 94 pitches.

It was the 11-time All-Star’s 11th win of the season and the 210th of his career, wrapping up 18 years in Dodger blue. The three-time Cy Young winner and 2014 MVP had already announced earlier this month that 2025 would be his final season, and manager Dave Roberts confirmed after the game that Kershaw will not be included on the Dodgers’ Wild Card roster.

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That decision doesn’t change his legacy. Kershaw retires with a 2.54 career ERA,  the best of any starter in the live-ball era, and a winning percentage unmatched by any pitcher with 200 or more victories since 1900. He also leaves behind two World Series titles (2020 and 2024), a long list of franchise records, and the respect of nearly every hitter he ever faced.

At 37, Kershaw exits tied with Zack Wheat and Bill Russell for the most years with the Dodgers. He ranks behind only Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn, Eddie Plank, and Steve Carlton in career WAR among left-handed pitchers, cementing himself as one of the greatest to ever take the mound.

The Dodgers move forward without him this October, but Sunday felt less like a farewell game and more like a celebration of a career that redefined pitching dominance for nearly two decades.

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Rodney Knuppel

Rodney Knuppel is a freelance writer for The Sporting News. When not watching, listening or writing about sports, Rodney enjoys following the travels of his three kids, who are all active in their own sports and activities. A huge St. Louis Cardinals fan, Rodney also enjoys St. Louis Blues hockey and is a big Kansas Jayhawks basketball fan.