It appeared Clayton Kershaw 's last competitive pitch in his storied career was an 88-mph slider that Nathan Lukes squibbed to second base for the final out of the 12th inning of World Series Game 3, his lone contribution but a crucial moment in the Los Angeles Dodgers ' back-to-back championships.
Not exactly. Kershaw, USA Baseball announced Jan. 16, will pitch for the stars and stripes in March's World Baseball Classic, extending his career perhaps another appearance or two.
Kershaw, who turns 38 in March, announced in September that the 2025 season would be his 18th and last campaign with the Dodgers. His Hall of Fame resume is more than filled out: Three Cy Young Awards and one MVP, a 2.53 ERA that's the lowest among starting pitchers in history, and 3,052 strikeouts, a milestone he passed in his final trip around the majors one year ago.
He was the last man in the bullpen for the Dodgers in their World Series run, recording that crucial out against Lukes in the Dodgers' eventual 18-inning victory in Game 3. He was warming up to come in to the decisive Game 7 when starter-turned-reliever Yoshinobu Yamamoto induced a Series-clinching double-play ground ball, and Kershaw was perhaps the last Dodger to find out they'd won it all.
Yet he'll get one more turn in the spotlight, on a WBC squad that features reigning Cy Young Award winners Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal . To be sure, Kershaw's role will be more gravitas than getting outs: HIs four-seam fastball averaged 89 mph in his final season, leaving him to rely almost exclusively on his slider.
But the WBC is more than just packed-house showdowns against other global baseball powers like Japan, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. Team USA will begin play in Pool B, with round-robin games against Great Britain, Italy and Mexico. Surely there's an inning or two in there for Old Man Kersh.
After that, presumably, it will be back to dad life in suburban Dallas, where his wife, Ellen, gave birth last month to their fifth child. Before that, though, Dad apparently has a few more pitches to serve up.
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
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Clayton Kershaw joins Team USA roster for World Baseball Classic

