LOS ANGELES – An icon of the era, a legend has closed the final chapter in tears. After nearly two decades of dedication to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw – the man associated with the city’s blue – officially said goodbye to the fans. But behind the calm smile on the field, there were tears that could not be hidden – as his wife, Ellen Kershaw, choked up and revealed:
“He cried a lot because he missed everyone. That whole night, he couldn’t say anything, just silently looked out the window and said, I will miss every face, every cheer.”
That story, shared by Ellen in an interview with a local station, moved the whole of America. Fans know Kershaw as the “perfect pitching machine,” but few see the real man behind the spotlight — a husband, a father, and a heart that belongs to Los Angeles.
Kershaw, 37, announced that the 2025 season will be the last of his nearly 20-year illustrious career. With three Cy Young awards, one MVP, and one World Series championship, he is not only one of the greatest pitchers of modern times, but also the soul of the Dodgers — a lifelong loyalist who has worn the same uniform.
Ellen recalls that the evening after Kershaw announced his decision to the team and fans, their home was quiet. She found her husband sitting alone in the living room, still holding the worn ball — a gift from his debut game.
“He was always so strong on the field, but that day, I saw him shake. He said, ‘Hey, I’m probably never going to pitch in Dodger Stadium again.’ And then he started crying.”
Those words moved millions. Because Kershaw was not just an athlete, but a symbol of loyalty rare in a turbulent baseball era. He hasn’t played for another team since 2008.
Former teammates described his farewell as “a tearful sunset.” Mookie Betts said: “Nobody could say anything. When Kershaw hugged everyone, everything slowed down. You can’t imagine the weight of that moment.”
Meanwhile, the Dodger Stadium stands were filled with “Thank You, Kersh” banners. Many fans cried when he walked out to take his final bow. A 78-year-old woman who had been watching Kershaw since the first game said, “It was like saying goodbye to a family member.”
Ellen said that although her husband had been mentally preparing for months, the real emotion came when everything was over:
“He said he would be fine, but I knew he wasn’t ready to let go. Baseball was his blood. The Dodgers were his home.”
She also revealed that Kershaw told his children: “I didn’t leave baseball, I just loved it in a different way.”
That simple statement made fans love even more the man who once carried the team on his shoulders, not just with his pitching, but with his heart.
Now, as the sun sets behind the green stands, Kershaw’s tears that day still linger in the memories of millions of people. A farewell without noise, without drama – just nostalgia, love, the eternal legacy of the hero named Clayton Kershaw.
Leave a Reply