"Clayton Kershaw blew a kiss to his family, pounded a fist in his glove, then made the familiar trot from the Dodgers ' dugout to the Chavez Ravine mound. This time, however, he did it alone. In what was his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium, coming one day after he announced that he would retire at the end of this year, Kershaw took the field while the rest of his teammates stayed back and applauded."
"On a night of appreciation for his 18-year career, the moment belonged to him - and an adoring fan base that has watched his every step. The first time Kershaw ever pitched at Dodger Stadium, he was a much-hyped and highly anticipated 20-year-old prospect. His talent immense. His Hall of Fame future in front of him. When he did it for potentially the last time on Friday night, he was a much-beloved and long-admired 37-year-old veteran."
"In regular-season play, baseball has maybe never seen a more accomplished pitcher. Kershaw's 2.54 ERA is the lowest in the live-ball era among those with 100 starts. He is one of the 20 members of MLB's 3,000 strikeout club. He is one of four pitchers to win three Cy Youngs and an MVP award. In October, however, no one's history has been more checkered. There were implosions against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013 and 2014."
Clayton Kershaw made his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium after announcing retirement effective at season's end. He entered the game alone as teammates applauded from the dugout while fans showed appreciation for an 18-year career. Kershaw debuted at Dodger Stadium as a 20-year-old prospect and returned as a 37-year-old veteran, shaped by both failures and triumphs. Regular-season accomplishments include a 2.54 ERA—the lowest in the live-ball era among pitchers with at least 100 starts—membership in the 3,000-strikeout club, three Cy Young awards and an MVP. Postseason history includes notable implosions, particularly in 2013 and 2014.
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