For Clayton Kershaw, returning to the mound Saturday night at Dodger Stadium wasn’t just about baseball. It was about gratitude, legacy, and finishing what he started.
The 37-year-old Los Angeles Dodgers legend made his 2025 season debut against the Los Angeles Angels, marking his first start since August 30, 2024. He had spent the offseason recovering from shoulder and foot surgeries — the latter more grueling than expected.
“It’s been a bit of a grind,” Kershaw said. “Just trying to figure out how to push off the same way I was, because I was compensating a lot for it last year. But physically, now I feel great. I feel like it’s over the hump.”
The challenge wasn’t just physical. After 17 seasons and countless accolades — including three Cy Young Awards, a National League MVP, and a World Series title — Kershaw was also confronting the possibility of his career’s end. But he wasn’t ready to let an injury write the final chapter.
“I think any baseball player would want to go out on their own terms,” he said. “For me, I just didn’t want an injury to be the reason that I stopped playing. So I wasn’t going to let last year be the last step for me.”
Los Angeles Dodgers: Through and Through
Kershaw’s loyalty to Los Angeles has been a recurring narrative throughout his career, especially in recent offseasons. A Dallas native, he’s long been linked to the Texas Rangers. As he aged into short-term deals, speculation about a possible homecoming grew louder.
But year after year, he’s stayed with the Dodgers.
“Being a Dodger for this long, there’s a lot of gratitude on my end,” Kershaw said before Saturday’s start. “I’m excited to get going again and contribute, and I’m definitely excited to maybe end my career here at some point. I don’t know when, but maybe at some point I’ll always be a Dodger.”
He added: “If you asked me that three or four years ago, I would have said maybe not. But now, yes. I think it’s super special to get to be a part of it. And I love being here.”
The Dodgers, in turn, have built a team worthy of his loyalty. With superstar talent, a deep roster, and an aggressive front office, Los Angeles continues to provide Kershaw with what he values most at this stage: a real shot at another championship.
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Playing for the Right Reasons
Now in his 18th major league season, Kershaw is playing for more than numbers or contracts. His return is about joy, pride, and the desire to go out on his own terms.
“I’m excited, man. I’m so excited to be back here,” Kershaw said during an appearance on MLB Network’s National Pregame Show. “I just want to contribute to this team. You know, it’s been a while. I’ve been watching a lot of games and… I love baseball and everything, but I’m ready to get out there and enjoy it and play and pitch and compete and help this team win some games.”
Even now, his goals remain straightforward.
“My expectations? I expect to get people out,” Kershaw said with a smile. “That’s the goal — just get the next guy out and do it over and over again until Doc [manager Dave Roberts] comes and takes the ball.”
One More Run
Kershaw’s return isn’t just a baseball story — it’s a story of resilience, perspective, and legacy. He’s seen the mountaintop. He’s weathered the injuries. And now, he’s choosing to write one more chapter in Dodger blue.
“There’s just a lot of gratitude right now,” he said. “To be back at Dodger Stadium and get to be with this group… it means a lot.”
How many more starts are left in Kershaw’s iconic career? That remains to be seen. But as long as he’s taking the mound in Los Angeles, the game — and its fans — are better for it.