Take Me Out to the Ballgame: Clayton Kershaw Retires from the Dodgers

Dodger Stadium. Photo provided by author.

I’ve only ever been to a Dodgers game once. I know that sounds crazy, seeing as I’ve been a huge fan ever since I was ten, but it’s true! September 19, 2025, was the first time that I have ever ventured into Dodger stadium and watched the legendary team do what they do best: play ball. However, there was something that made the grand structure and pounding of tens of thousands of feet even more special. Clayton Kershaw, the longtime pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, is retiring. When my mom bought the tickets to the game, we had no idea what a monumental event it would be. After all, Kershaw didn’t announce his retirement until September 18, 2025 – the day before the game. So, what had begun as a fun outing to see my favorite team turned into an incredible phenomenon, a last farewell to an illustrious career. 

I remember the 2020 World Series vividly. I was on my couch, watching it with my eyes glued to the television. I was stupefied. It was a very close series, and all eyes were on the last game to see who would win it all. I remember my dad telling me about Kershaw, the incredible pitcher who could throw balls so fast I couldn’t even imagine it. He explained how different throws have different hand positions, why the pitcher winds up in the way that he does, and other baseball related things. When the Dodgers won, I was so happy. I even have a celebratory 2020 World Series t-shirt with the Dodgers on the front. Needless to say, I was very excited to see Clayton Kershaw’s game before he retired, and let me tell you, I wasn’t disappointed.

If you’ve never been to a major league baseball game, allow me to give you some advice: bring ear protection. The roar of 50,000 excited (and possibly drunk) spectators is not to be underestimated. Furthermore, things like hand sanitizer and a sweater are also invaluable. Trust me, you’ll thank me later. From my vantage point at the very top of the stadium, I could not only see the diamond where the action was happening, but also the enormous scale of the venue. Truly, it was a unique experience. 

When Kershaw was done and the next pitcher was set to enter, the excitement of a legion of fans came to a peak. His face was plastered over the screen, music played, and his colleagues – Kershaw’s team of eighteen years – enveloped him in an emotional goodbye. As Kershaw walked off of the mound, he forlornly waved goodbye to the audience and the cameras. It was a fitting end to the career of a giant. 

I am not an avid follower of baseball. Yes, I’m a fan, (go Dodgers!) but memorizing statistics and talking strategy is not a pastime of mine. Therefore, this article is not a comprehensive biography of his career. Instead, it is my meek tribute to an incredible player. I implore you to research his amazing career to learn more about the things that I simply do not understand about baseball. Still, even with my meager knowledge of major league baseball, it is evident that Clayton Kershaw was out of the ordinary. He spent his entire career, one of almost two decades, playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He won the 2020 world series and has played in hundreds of games. Most importantly, he is viewed as one of the greatest pitchers in modern baseball history.