Clayton Kershaw: The End of an Era in Los Angeles
For nearly two decades, he was Dodgers baseball — the curveball, the dominance, the quiet fire. Now, one of the greatest pitchers of all time takes his final bow.
The end of an era is here.
For nearly two decades, Clayton Kershaw was Dodgers baseball — the curveball, the dominance, the quiet fire.
If you respect the man, read this. It might not be the last time you hear his name, but it’s the right time to honor his legacy.
(Releasing this piece today in honor of his final game in Dodger Stadium. Planning to do something bigger when he officially announces his retirement. He deserves it.)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Eleven All-Star selections. Three National League Cy Young Awards. A 2014 MVP. A 2020 World Series ring. Over 3,000 strikeouts, one of only 20 pitchers ever, and just the fourth left-hander, to reach that mark.
Clayton Kershaw’s résumé isn’t just elite, it’s historic.
The Origins
Scouts knew he was special the moment they saw him in high school. One story still sounds like a myth: Kershaw once threw a perfect game where every out was a strikeout. Heading into the 2006 MLB Draft, he was the top high school arm in the country, and almost didn’t become a Dodger at all.
If not for a front-office firing in Kansas City, Kershaw might’ve ended up a Detroit Tiger. The Royals, holding the No. 1 pick, planned to draft lefty Andrew Miller under GM Allard Baird. But a week before the draft, Baird was fired. His replacement pivoted to Luke Hochevar, stunning everyone.
That one decision set off a domino effect. The Tigers, picking sixth, had been locked in on Kershaw. But with Miller suddenly available, they grabbed him instead. And that left pick No. 7, the Los Angeles Dodgers, free to take a skinny 18-year-old from Highland Park High School in Texas.
One front-office change. One unexpected pick. One future Hall of Famer in Dodger blue.
The Early Years (2008–2012)
Kershaw debuted in May 2008, a 20-year-old kid with a hammer curve and electric stuff. He joined a team built around young stars like Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Russell Martin.
By 2011, he’d already arrived. That season, Kershaw went 21–5 with a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts, winning his first Cy Young Award. He became the youngest pitcher to lead the majors in ERA and strikeouts since Dwight Gooden.
But the postseason was brutal. The Dodgers couldn’t break through, and every October failure came back to one name. Before he became the model of consistency, Kershaw was “the guy who couldn’t win in October.”
The Peak (2013–2017)
Then came dominance.
From 2011 to 2017, Kershaw’s ERA was 2.10. The league average was nearly 4.00. That isn’t just elite, it’s generational.
In 2014, he threw one of the greatest games ever: a no-hitter with 15 strikeouts, only ruined from perfection by a Hanley Ramírez throwing error. That same year, he won the NL MVP, the first pitcher to do so since Bob Gibson in 1968.
Every fifth day in LA felt like an event. “Kershaw Day” became a thing. The Dodgers were the best show in baseball, and their ace was must-watch television.
The Dodgers’ Golden Era
The Dodgers’ run since Kershaw arrived is unlike anything baseball’s seen this century. Just look at it:
2008: 84–78 — 1st in NL West
2009: 95–67 — 1st
2010: 80–82 — 4th
2011: 82–79 — 3rd
2012: 86–76 — 2nd
2013: 92–70 — 1st
2014: 94–68 — 1st
2015: 92–70 — 1st
2016: 91–71 — 1st
2017: 104–58 — 1st
2018: 92–71 — 1st
2019: 106–56 — 1st
2020: 43–17 — 1st
2021: 106–56 — 2nd
2022: 111–51 — 1st
2023: 100–62 — 1st
2024: 98–64 — 1st
2025: 93–69 — 1st
A dynasty built on consistency — and anchored by one man.
When you zoom out, Kershaw’s timeline is the Dodgers’ timeline. His emergence turned the franchise from perennial contender to modern powerhouse.
The Redemption
For all the dominance, Kershaw’s postseason legacy was always questioned. He had the regular-season hardware, but October never went his way — until 2020.
In a year defined by chaos and bubbles, the Dodgers finally broke through. Kershaw went 4–1 that postseason, helping LA capture its first World Series title since 1988.
It wasn’t just a championship. It was vindication.
The Later Years
Even as the fastball velocity dipped, the command stayed sharp. Kershaw reinvented himself, relying more on precision than power. His baseball IQ kept him effective well into his mid-30s.
There were injuries, shortened seasons, and the occasional October heartbreak — but he never stopped competing. The Dodgers kept winning, and Kershaw kept setting the tone.
The Man Beyond the Mound
Away from the lights, Kershaw’s impact was just as strong. Through his foundation, Kershaw’s Challenge, he’s built schools, supported children’s programs, and made a difference both in Los Angeles and globally.
In an era defined by player movement and big contracts, he stayed loyal. Every winter, rumors would swirl, “Will Kershaw leave?”. Every spring, he’d be back in Dodger blue.
Legacy
Kershaw didn’t just define a franchise — he defined an era.
For nearly two decades, he was the heartbeat of Dodger baseball. Every fifth day was his day. Every kid in LA who picked up a baseball wanted to throw a curve like his.
The Dodgers might have had dozens of stars, but they only had one constant.
Clayton Kershaw was the man.
As a Dodgers fan, it’s hard to see him go after watching him for so many years. This weekend marks what could be his final time taking the mound at Dodger Stadium before heading into retirement.
What a career.
Whether this truly is the end or just another chapter, baseball won’t see another Clayton Kershaw. The dominance, the humility, the loyalty — he gave everything to one city, one jersey, and one fan base. However long he’s gone, Dodger Stadium will always feel a little more like home because of him.
In Los Angeles, legends don’t just get remembered, they get immortalized. And for generations of Dodgers fans, No. 22 already is.
