- After 18 legendary seasons, future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw played his final game at Dodger Stadium during Game 5 of the World Series.
- Following the game, Kershaw shared an unplanned, emotional celebration on the field with his wife Ellen, their four children, and close friends.
- Kershaw described the spontaneous moment as “awesome” and the “perfect way to do it,” cherishing one last memory at his longtime home ballpark.
- Having announced his retirement last month, Kershaw’s illustrious career will officially conclude following the World Series games in Toronto.
A Grateful Goodbye
As the final innings of Game 5 of the World Series unfolded, Clayton Kershaw let the reality sink in. After 18 seasons, 228 starts, and a legacy etched into baseball history, this was his last night at Dodger Stadium. The 37-year-old, who announced last month that this season would be his last, watched from the bullpen, soaking in the atmosphere of Chavez Ravine one final time.
“It’s a weird thought, of like, ‘This is your last game ever there,’” Kershaw reflected. “And not a sad thought. Honestly, just a grateful thought. Just like, ‘Man, we spent a lot of great times here.’”
An Unplanned, Perfect Farewell
Instead of taking the tunnel back to the clubhouse after the game, Kershaw chose to walk across the diamond. That walk turned into an unforgettable send-off. About an hour later, joined by his wife, Ellen, their four children, and other family and friends, the field became a personal playground for celebration.
Television cameras captured the heartwarming scene of Kershaw laughing as his kids ran the bases, turning the iconic stadium into a cherished family memory. The moment was entirely spontaneous, born from a simple text from his wife.
“Ellen just texted after and was like, ‘Hey, we got a big crew,’” Kershaw explained. “So I was, ‘Well, just go to the field. I’ll try to shower fast so we can hang out.’”
Clayton Kershaw enjoying the moment on the field with his family after his last game at Dodger Stadium 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gr0gGjyALI
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 30, 2025
“Honestly, it was awesome,” he added. “It was the perfect way to do it. Just have everybody out there, running around … It was unplanned, unprompted, but a great memory.”
A Legacy of Highs and Lows
Dodger Stadium has been the backdrop for Kershaw’s entire career. It’s where he made his MLB debut in 2008 and rose to become a baseball icon, securing three Cy Young Awards, a 2014 NL MVP title, a no-hitter, and his 3,000th strikeout. It was also the site of profound postseason disappointments that shaped his journey.
Through it all, it was home. In a fitting tribute, Kershaw posed for a picture with the grounds crew on the very mound they had prepared for him for nearly two decades. While his career will officially end in Toronto, his final night in Los Angeles provided a sense of perfect closure, leaving him with one last treasured memory at the ballpark he always called home.
Image Referance: https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-10-31/dodgers-kershaw