Clayton Kershaw took the mound for his final regular-season home appearance with the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 29, 2023, in a game that resonated deeply with fans and teammates alike. The 37-year-old left-hander received a heartfelt standing ovation from the crowd at Dodger Stadium, a moment made even more poignant by his announcement that he would retire at the end of the season.
As the game began, Kershaw’s signature warmup song, “We Are Young” by Fun, echoed through the stadium. Fans, many holding up their camera phones, celebrated the occasion. However, the mood shifted when San Francisco Giants leadoff hitter Heliot Ramos launched an 86-mph slider for a remarkable 431-foot home run, eliciting boos from the crowd. The atmosphere lightened again moments later when Rafael Devers struck out, and Kershaw ended the fifth inning on a high note.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts made his way to the mound to embrace Kershaw as he exited, with teammates and fans applauding the iconic pitcher. Kershaw left the game trailing 2-1 after pitching 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, while striking out six and walking four batters on 91 pitches, 56 of which were strikes. In a touching gesture, he waved to the crowd and wrapped his arms around himself, soaking in the moment.
The scene was further highlighted by emotional reunions. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way superstar, was among the first to hug Kershaw as he departed, followed by the outpouring of affection from teammates. Fans donned jerseys emblazoned with Kershaw’s number 22 in a show of support, while Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Rams quarterback and Kershaw’s high school football teammate, and former teammate Russell Martin were also present to witness the farewell.
“This is one of those moments that people are going to look back and go, ‘I was there for the last time he started a home game at Dodger Stadium,’” Roberts said prior to the game. Kershaw, who has spent his entire career with the Dodgers since debuting at age 20, has become a symbol of loyalty in a sport often criticized for its transient nature. “In a world that people take the easy way out, chase short money, the grass is greener kind of adage, the loyalty part of it is just not what it used to be,” Roberts added.
Among Kershaw’s notable achievements is surpassing 3,000 career strikeouts in July 2023, a milestone that earned him a bobblehead giveaway at the stadium. Kershaw is expected to address fans before the Dodgers’ game on September 30, 2023, allowing for one last opportunity to connect with supporters.
Despite facing injuries in recent years that affected his performance, Kershaw’s competitive spirit remains undiminished. “Winning is always my favorite thing,” he remarked, acknowledging the challenges that have marked his career. He missed the entire postseason last year when the Dodgers triumphed over the New York Yankees in the World Series.
As Kershaw’s final home game concluded, Roberts indicated that it was too early to confirm whether Kershaw would make another start next week during the Dodgers’ road trip to face Arizona and Seattle. For now, the focus remains on celebrating a remarkable career that has left an indelible mark on the Dodgers and Major League Baseball.
