Clayton Kershaw Reminds Fans Why He Belongs In Cooperstown With World Series Heroics

If Monday night was the last time Clayton Kershaw took the mound, the Los Angeles Dodgers ace made sure it ended on his terms.

The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander announced this would be his last season in the big leagues. He was summoned during the 12th inning of a tense 18-inning World Series Game 3. With the game tied and the bases loaded for the Toronto Blue Jays, the Manager, Dave Roberts, turned to the future Hall of Famer to escape the jam.

Kershaw, pitching in relief for the first time since 2019, battled Nathan Lukes to a full count before he forced a weak ground ball to second baseman Tommy Edman, who flipped to first for the out. This play sent Dodger Stadium into a frenzy and gave Kershaw one more signature postseason moment.

He said, “It was a big spot, but that’s why you play the game. You just try to execute one pitch at a time.” His late-season comeback was marked by perseverance. After missing the first two months of 2025 to recover from a shoulder surgery. He finished the regular season with a 3.36 ERA over 23 appearances. His fastball velocity and strikeout totals declined, but his command and poise remained.

Roberts stated, “There was no hesitation to use Kershaw in the high-pressure moment. There’s nobody I’d trust more in that spot. He’s been doing it his whole career.”

The decision paid off. Kershaw silenced a tense crowd and reminded everyone of his postseason composure.

The Dodgers went on to win on Freddie Freeman’s walk-off home run in the 18th inning, which gave Los Angeles a 2-1 lead in the series. Whether or not Kershaw pitches again, his brief outing Monday reminded fans why he will soon have a plaque in Cooperstown.

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Article by Ed Middlecoff