The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ win Thursday sent Clayton Kershaw out as a champion, of the National League West, if nothing else.
The superstar left-hander, who announced last Thursday the 2025 season would be his last in the majors, celebrated his and the Dodgers’ 12th division title in the past 13 years with an 8-0 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
Kerhsaw, of course, has been a part of two World Series championship teams — and four teams that won the National League pennant — over his 18-season, future Hall of Fame career.
Clayton Kershaw ‘Didn’t Want Goggles’ For Celebratory Champagne Spray
Kershaw lost his shirt, put on an NL West champions hat, lit up a cigar and reveled in his 14th division-title celebration over his legendary Dodgers career.
Yet, when SportsNet Los Angeles reporter Dave Vassegh tried to give Kershaw his NL West champions locker room shirt back — Vassegh had been wearing it on his head as protection from raining beer and champagne — Kershaw refused it.
“No, I don’t want my shirt back,” Kershaw said to Vassegh. “I don’t want goggles, I don’t want a shirt. I hardly want pants, Dave!”
When asked about what the season meant, and closing it by winning the tougher-than-usual race against the San Diego Padres, Kershaw soaked it all in — literally.
“You don’t get this very often in your life,” Kershaw said as a member of the team dumped cans of Budweiser over his head. “You’ve got to celebrate every single moment. So getting to celebrate something that has been very hard for us to get to is special, and this is something special. So we’re going to celebrate it.”
Then, Dodgers infielder Max Muncy poured a bottle of champagne over Kershaw’s head.
“It’s still cold. It’s still cold,” Kershaw said. “But it’s still the best feeling in the world, and I’m going to enjoy every second of it.”
2025 NL West Championship ‘Means More’ To Clayton Kershaw
Though the Dodgers have done this over and over and over again throughout Kershaw’s tenure in LA, clinching the division this year was especially special to the legendary pitcher.
“This one means more, because this is my last time to do it,” Kershaw said. “It’s just the best.”
Kershaw has been one of the fiercest competitors throughout baseball, a big reason why he has an MVP, three Cy Young Awards and is an 11-time All-Star. Yet, he has had a profound impact on teammates both new and old.”
“I can’t say enough good things about the guy,” said Blake Snell, who previously faced Kershaw’s Dodgers with the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series in 2020 before he pitched for both the Padres and rival San Francisco Giants. “He’s going to teach me how [celebrating] is done, and we’re going to keep winning.”
Even though he will hang up his glove and cleats whenever the season ends in the next month, Kershaw is hoping it doesn’t end too soon.
“I love this team,” Kershaw said. “I love every second of it.”
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