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At some point during the next week, Clayton Kershaw will step onto the mound for the final time as a Major League pitcher. When he does, his biggest fans – his kids – will be cheering him on.
Last month, the 37-year-old announced he was going to retire at the end of the 2025 season. With the final games of his career approaching as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the Toronto Blue Jays during the World Series, Kershaw received a special voice message from his four children, Cali, Charley, Cooper and Chance via The Player's Tribune.
"I love watching you play baseball," Kershaw's children said in the touching tribute. "You're, like, the best player in the world. I can't believe I have this dad. We love you. I'm excited for you to be home to come to my baseball games and maybe even coach them. And now it's your turn to be at all my games. You're the best dad in the world. I love you so much, Dad. Let's go Dodgers."
“You’re like the best player like in the world. I can’t believe I have this dad.”
— The Players’ Tribune (@PlayersTribune) October 24, 2025
Ahead of the World Series and his retirement, @Dodgers pitcher @ClaytonKersh22’s kids leave special messages for their dad. 🥹💙 pic.twitter.com/Gsr978VOjr
Clayton Kershaw receives touching tribute from his kids ahead of final World Series with Dodgers
Kershaw, an 11-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner, will call it a career after 18 seasons with the only Major League team he's ever known. He's made it to the postseason in 14 of those years and clinched the World Series championship with Los Angeles in 2020. Kershaw also was on the Dodgers for their 2024 World Series run, though he was limited by injuries and didn't play at all that postseason.
Kershaw is on the Dodgers' World Series roster again in 2025, though his role has shifted significantly from previous years. He may no longer be staring down batters with triple-digit heat, but his presence in the bullpen brings tranquility and leadership to the Dodgers as they look to defend their title against the Blue Jays.
Kershaw is already on the fast track to the Hall of Fame after everything he's accomplished in his 18 Major League seasons. Hopefully, the Dodgers can send him off with one final World Series victory to put a bow on his legendary career.