Amid emotional retirement reveal, Kershaw focused on beating Giants / Photo: RONALD MARTINEZ - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
Amid emotional retirement reveal, Kershaw focused on beating Giants
Clayton Kershaw is ready to call time on his 18-year Major League Baseball career, but the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching legend has work to do first.
Kershaw will make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium on Friday, and amid the emotion of his impending retirement he's determined to make it count.
"This game matters for both teams," Kershaw said of the clash with the San Francisco Giants, which comes with the Dodgers trying to lock up the National League West division title and take a step toward defending their World Series crown.
"Everybody's still in it," Kershaw said. "We've got to win these games. So it's good to get this (announcement) out of the way."
Kershaw said he knows the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium will be "heightened."
"But I've got a job to do, so I need to go out there and do my job and thankfully I'll have that to distract me for sure."
The game will mark his 247th time taking the mound at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he envisions Kershaw having a role on the Dodgers post-season roster -- and Roberts said the veteran is a key reason the club are closing in on another playoff berth.
"He's been a huge part, obviously, of this year, and I don't know how the rest of the season's going to play out but we certainly wouldn't be in this position in the standings if it weren't for him," Roberts said.
Roberts said Kershaw had been letting teammates know of his decision in recent weeks, and texted them all on Thursday morning with confirmation that he would publicly announce his plans.
"I do think his final go round, this last push, I think it certainly motivates his teammates who want him to go out as a champion," Roberts said.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman said he half expected Kershaw to just walk away from the game without telling anyone.
"But I'm glad he did," Freeman said. "So the fans, and not only Dodger fans but all baseball fans, can enjoy his last start here at Dodger Stadium in the regular season.
"I mean, it's just a heck of a career," Freeman said. "And now he gets to retire on his own terms."
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