Pitcher Clayton Kershaw Not Thinking About Retirement Yet

By Jordan Long

The L.A. Dodgers own the best record in baseball at 106-47.  This is the 3rd year out of 4 the franchise has won 100 plus games in a season.  The Dodgers may be the favorites to win the World Series.  The last time they ended up as World Series champions was in 2020.  Despite the success, pitcher Clayton Kershaw is leaning towards returning next year.

                Kershaw is in his 15th MLB season, all with the L.A. Dodgers.  Kershaw started 20 games for the Dodgers this season.  His record is 10-3 which marks the 11th time in his career Kershaw has won 10 or more games in a single MLB year.  His ERA stands at 2.42.  He also struck out 124 batters.  He is a big part of the Dodgers’ success this season.

                Kershaw knows that his MLB career is almost over.  He wants to enjoy this postseason where he hopes to lead the Dodgers to another World Series.  No matter where the postseason ends, Kershaw is favoring coming back and pitching for the Dodgers in 2023. 

                According to MSN.com, Kershaw said, “I do think I’m leaning towards playing over not, for sure. I hold the right to change my mind, but as of today, I think that I’ve got at least one more run. At the end of the day, pitching is tough on my back. There’s no way around that. I can manage it, definitely, and maybe there’s a time where it can last for eight months of the year and be good. I still think that’s in there.”

                It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Kershaw back in 2023.  He pitched well this season.  He may not be the dominant pitcher he once was, but Kershaw still was able to win games for the Dodgers.  The problem though is there is nothing left for him to prove in the game of baseball.  Kershaw appeared in 9 All-Star Games.  He even won a Cy Young Award in 2014 as the top pitcher in the National League.  Kershaw also owns a World Series ring when the Dodgers won the whole thing in 2019.  There is no point for him to come back since he has done everything a pitcher wants to do in the game of baseball.

                Kershaw will most likely wait until the offseason to make his final decision. If the Dodgers happen to advance far in the playoffs and win another World Series, it might be difficult for him to want to come back.  Either way though, Kershaw will do what is best for him.