The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially welcomed Clayton Kershaw as a special assistant to the team, reinforcing their commitment to keeping him involved. This announcement came ahead of the Dodgers’ ring ceremony, which commemorated Kershaw’s illustrious 18-year career.
Clayton Kershaw’s New Role
Kershaw described his new position as versatile, emphasizing that it will not include coaching duties. He expressed his desire to remain engaged with the Dodgers, albeit from a distance. “I’ll be involved somehow,” Kershaw noted. “Probably not physically here in L.A., but definitely I’m sure I’ll watch games.”
Broadcasting Debut
Recently, Kershaw made his broadcasting debut for NBC during the Dodgers’ season opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He provided commentary alongside the team’s third-base dugout while the Dodgers celebrated an 8-2 victory. Kershaw remained in Los Angeles to receive his third championship ring, marking a significant milestone in his career.
Reflecting on Retirement
At 38 years old, Kershaw announced his retirement in the latter part of the 2025 season. In that season, he achieved an impressive record of 11 wins and 2 losses, with a 3.39 ERA across 22 starts. He transitioned to a low-leverage bullpen role during the playoffs.
Unexpectedly, during Game 7 of the World Series, he was warming up when the Dodgers secured back-to-back championships. Kershaw then joined Team USA as an emergency reliever in the World Baseball Classic, fulfilling a long-standing aspiration to participate in the tournament.
Future Plans
Kershaw mentioned that he doesn’t quite feel fully retired yet due to his recent engagements. He is set to return to his home in Dallas over the weekend with no broadcast commitments until August. Reflecting on his transition, he stated, “I don’t miss the game at all. I just miss the people.”
While he cherishes his time within the Dodgers’ organization, Kershaw acknowledges the emotional challenges of adjustment. “You remember what you’re missing, which is challenging for sure,” he added.
