Not many players get to cultivate a hall of fame career and become a three-time champion over the course of nearly two decades with the same organization; but Clayton Kershaw achieved all of that. 

The longtime Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw ace ended his illustrious 18-year career as a back-to-back World Series champion; capping off a career of greatness that will surely be enshrined in Cooperstown in the coming years. Kershaw made his mark not only as an elite talent, but a great teammate to those around him, and many of those teammates came together to bid farewell to the 11-time All-Star in a heartfelt video released by the Dodgers on New Year’s Eve. 

Special Messages to Clayton from the 2025 World Series Champs Dodger for Life. The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise, with nine World Series championships and 26 National League pennants since its beginnings in Brooklyn in ...

“Alright, 22, you know it’s been six years bro,” said star shortstop Mookie Betts to open the video. “That’s a long time to play with someone like you. You have shown me what being a Dodger is supposed to look like. 

“So, I thank you for that. I thank you for your hard work — your blood, sweat and tears. I just hope everything goes your way bro; you’ve done it the right way. You treat everybody in a beautiful manner, and I thank you for being a great example.” 

Betts’ comments demonstrate the prfound impact Kershaw had on not only those who shared the mound with him, but position players as well. 

“Two’s, congratulations on an awesome career, man,” third baseman Max Muncy said. “It’s been an absolute pleasure being behind you and being your teammate. Thank you for everything that you’ve done for us, as your teammates, for the Dodgers, for the fans.” 

“Thank you for being the leader you’ve been and the absolute competitor. I’ve learned a lot just from watching you, how you go about your day and how you compete out on the field. I definitely wouldn’t be the player I am today without being able to watch you.” 

Muncy was with Kershaw for eight of his 18 seasons in a Dodgers uniform; notching three World Series rings together. 

Another player who was there to hoist The Commissioner's Trophy all three times with the former MVP was Kiké Hernández, who has spent most of his 13-year MLB career with the Dodgers. 

“Kersh,” Hernández said. “Thank you for everything; thank you for teaching a young Kiké — not really knowing how to control himself — how to go about it the right way. Thank you for being you.” 

“Thanks for, without trying, how to want more, how to stay in a routine, how to outwork people, even after you had already accomplished so much. Thanks for all the memories, dude.”  

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