The end is officially near for Clayton Kershaw .
Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers announced Thursday, Sept. 18 that he plans to retire after the end of the 2025 season . Considered by many MLB observers to be the best left-handed pitcher of his generation and a certainty to be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame when eligible, Kershaw played 18 seasons for the Dodgers and won three Cy Young awards and two World Series championships.
Kershaw, 37, will finish his MLB career with the lowest earned run average of any starting pitcher since 1920 and his career winning percentage is better than any pitcher with at least 200 wins since 1900. In July, Kershaw became just the 20th player in MLB history to record 3,000 career strikeouts .
The Dodgers said Kershaw is slated to make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday, September 19 against the San Francisco Giants . The defending World Series champions lead the National League West division standings and remain on pace to qualify for the MLB playoffs once again.
Kershaw, after struggling through an injury-laden 2024 season, has bounced back with a 10-2 record and 3.53 ERA over 20 starts in his final year on the mound. Here's a look at more of Kershaw's notable career stats as he approaches retirement:
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw signs balls for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals before a 2009 NLDS game at Busch Stadium on Oct. 10, 2009, in St Louis.
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with catcher Rod Barajas after defeating the San Francisco Giants during a game at AT&T Park on Sept. 14, 2010, in San Francisco.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the dugout after he is pulled in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2011. The Dodgers won 5-3 in the 12th inning.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and center fielder Matt Kemp celebrate after Kershaw's complete game shutout against the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2011, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and wife Ellen Kershaw pose for a photo at a press conference at Dodger Stadium to discuss their book on Jan. 17, 2012.
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers is presented the National League Cy Young Award plaque by former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela prior to the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2012 in Los Angeles.
Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose with their 2011 Gold Gloves before the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates with teammates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park in Boston on Oct. 23, 2018.
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and teammates celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Baltimore Orioles and clinching the NL West at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sept. 10, 2019, in Baltimore.
From left to right: Joey Gallo, Craig Kimbrel, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose together in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 13, 2022, to win the NL West.
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after striking out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning to record his 3,000th career strikeout, at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw signs balls for fans of the St. Louis Cardinals before a 2009 NLDS game at Busch Stadium on Oct. 10, 2009, in St Louis.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with catcher Rod Barajas after defeating the San Francisco Giants during a game at AT&T Park on Sept. 14, 2010, in San Francisco.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw in the dugout after he is pulled in the ninth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium on April 21, 2011. The Dodgers won 5-3 in the 12th inning.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and center fielder Matt Kemp celebrate after Kershaw's complete game shutout against the Detroit Tigers on June 20, 2011, at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw and wife Ellen Kershaw pose for a photo at a press conference at Dodger Stadium to discuss their book on Jan. 17, 2012.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers is presented the National League Cy Young Award plaque by former Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela prior to the start of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on April 11, 2012 in Los Angeles.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Andre Ethier, Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose with their 2011 Gold Gloves before the game against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on April 13, 2012, in Los Angeles.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates with teammates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after recording the final out of his no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on June 18, 2014. The Dodgers won 8-0.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws a pitch in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game 1 of the 2018 World Series at Fenway Park in Boston on Oct. 23, 2018.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and teammates celebrate in the clubhouse after defeating the Baltimore Orioles and clinching the NL West at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Sept. 10, 2019, in Baltimore.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
From left to right: Joey Gallo, Craig Kimbrel, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose together in the locker room after defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on Sept. 13, 2022, to win the NL West.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after striking out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning to record his 3,000th career strikeout, at Dodger Stadium on July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles.
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
Clayton Kershaw: Los Angeles Dodgers World Series champion, 3-time Cy Young winner
MLB PLAYOFFS: Dodgers consider using Shohei Ohtani in relief this postseason
Clayton Kershaw stats
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222-96 career record in 2844 ⅔ innings
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2014 National League MVP
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2011, 2013 and 2014 NL Cy Young winner
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11-time All-Star
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3,039 strikeouts
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2.54 career ERA
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449 games started
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25 career complete games
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15 shutouts
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13-13 career record, 4.49 ERA in playoffs
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clayton Kershaw career stats ahead of Los Angeles Dodgers retirement

