Clayton Kershaw stood in the outfield with his family, his cleats on the same grass where he built his legacy over the last 16 seasons and bid a final farewell. The scoreboard showed the pain of Game 5, a 6-1 loss to the Blue Jays, but this moment was about more than the game itself. It was a time for closure, reflection, and respect for the big man who deserves nothing less, something all baseball fans can agree with.
One Last Walk Across the Grass
Few goodbyes feel heavier on a stage as big as Dodger Stadium, and on this cool October night, it felt like time stood still. The Dodgers are down 3-2 in the World Series after their Gam 5 loss to the Blue Jays, but for Kershaw, who had led the team for over a decade, it was about his personal ending. With the series moving to Toronto, Game 5 was his last home start as an active player. It wasn’t a triumphant curtain call or the ending he would have chosen, but it was heartbreakingly human.
Kershaw didn’t pitch in Game 5, but everyone could feel he was there. Two games earlier, he had one of his most dramatic postseason relief appearances. In Game 3, with the bases loaded and the score tied in the 12th, he came out of the bullpen. He wasn’t the overpowering Kershaw of his prime, but a veteran who had seen it all. He calmly got a ground ball to second, kept the game tied, and fired up a crowd that recognized his determination and heart.
A Final Postseason Flash of Brilliance
That Game 3 performance showed what Kershaw means to Los Angeles: grit, resilience, and the drive to keep going. His fastball isn’t as fast as it once was, and he isn’t as dominant, but his intelligence, control, and determination are still there for all to see. The cheers from the crowd and the way he embraced the moment felt just right.
Beyond the Numbers, a Legacy Cemented
He’s won three Cy Young awards, been National League MVP, made 11 All-Star teams, and is a World Series champion. But those honors are only part of his story. What Kershaw gave the Dodgers and their fans goes beyond statistics. On Wednesday night, the feelings on the field mattered more than any numbers. He took photos with the grounds crew, laughed and hugged with his family, and took in the moment, ready for what’s next but proud of everything so far.
Kershaw’s last Dodger Stadium outing didn’t need to be a masterpiece. It just needed to be his—and in that sense, it was perfect.
