Los Angeles Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw announced Thursday during a press conference that he will retire at the end of this season.
Kershaw spoke a bit about his decision, saying he was at peace with the move and that he thought it was the right time to make the call.
The southpaw did admit that he, understandably, was emotional about it all.
Kershaw is destined to be a first ballot Hall of Famer to cap his sensational 18-year Dodger career. The 2014 National League MVP won three Cy Young awards, made 11 All-Star Games and earned five ERA titles. He also won the National League’s pitching triple crown in 2011, leading the senior circuit with 21 wins, a 2.28 ERA and 248 strikeouts.
In addition, Kershaw won MLB’s Roberto Clemente Award in 2012. ESPN’s Mark Saxon wrote more after he earned the honor.
“Much of Kershaw’s charitable work has been around issues in Africa. He and his wife, Ellen, visited the continent each of the past two years and started ‘Kershaw’s Challenge,’ an organization that seeks to assist at-risk children and communities in need,” Saxon began.
“The Kershaws helped build and sustain an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia called, ‘Hope’s Home.’ Many of the children there suffer from diseases and infections related to HIV and AIDS.”
Kershaw, who made his MLB debut as a 20-year-old during the 2008 season, has gone 222-96 with a 2.58 ERA. That ERA mark leads all active starting pitchers. He’s also struck out 3,039 batters for a 9.6 K/9 rate over 452 games.
In addition, Kershaw arguably authored the best pitched game in MLB history when he struck out 15 batters in a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Colorado’s only baserunner occurred in the top of the seventh inning after an error put Corey Dickerson on base.
This article will be updated soon to provide more information and analysis.
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