"For 18 years, in greatness and in grief, through sweet dreams and bitter despair, he did exactly that. He was splendid. He was awful. He set records. He ruined seasons. He was passionately embraced. He was loudly booed. For 18 years, Clayton Kershaw pitched through the gamut of emotions as both a hero and a villain, moments of euphoria addled with spells of despair, picturesque summers disappearing into the wicked wilds of October."
"He is more enduring than Sandy Koufax, more accomplished than Fernando Valenzuela, more impactful than any hitter in the team's 67-year history in Los Angeles. He is not only the greatest Dodger, but also resides at the top of a list of the greatest athletes in Los Angeles history, joining Magic Johnson and Kobe Bryant as Hall of Famers who spent their entire careers with one Los Angeles team and left behind a legacy that indelibly altered their franchise's culture."
Clayton Kershaw spent 18 seasons as the defining pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, delivering dominant performances, enduring injuries, and facing postseason disappointments. He combined record-setting excellence with moments that cost teams crucial games, earning both adoration and criticism. Kershaw's leadership shaped a Dodger culture of accountability, unselfishness, and resilience that produced 11 West Division titles and two World Series championships. He ranks above other franchise legends in impact and joins the pantheon of Los Angeles sports icons who spent their entire careers with one team. At 37 and battle-worn, he announced retirement at season's end, leaving a lasting imprint.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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