Kershaw hangs up his cleats

Dodgers' longtime ace to retire after stellar career

- BY JACK HARRIS

GINA FERAZZI Los Angeles Times DODGERS pitcher Clayton Kershaw acknowledges the crowd after his 3,000th career strikeout on July 2.

Last year, in the middle of a World Series celebration he had spent two decades dreaming about, Clayton Kershaw took the mic at Dodger Stadium and made a declaration.

"I love you guys, thank you!" he shouted to an adoring Chavez Ravine crowd.

"Dodger for life!"

On Thursday, that distinction was cemented.

After 18 seasons, three Cy Young Awards, an MVP, more than 3,000 strikeouts and two World Series titles, Kershaw announced he will retire from Major League Baseball at the end of this year — starting and finishing his career in a Dodgers uniform.

"I'm at peace with it," Kershaw said before Thursday's game. "I think it's the right time and it's been such a fun year, it's been such a blast."

Kershaw’s announcement, which initially came in a news release from the team, preceded what could now be his final Dodger Stadium start scheduled for Friday night.

That game will mark his 247th time taking the bump at the only ballpark he has ever called home. And though manager Dave Roberts said he envisions Kershaw having a role on the Dodgers’ postseason roster, when the 37-year-old will make one more attempt at one more championship, it could still very well be his last outing at Chavez Ravine.

“I’ve just never been around a greater competitor,” said Roberts, Kershaw’s manager for the last decade. “Very accountable. Very consistent. And he’s made me better. I think that we've both grown together.”

After 222 wins, more than 2,800 innings, and a career 2.54 ERA, Kershaw’s countdown to Cooperstown will begin this winter.