Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw retired at the end of the 2025 season, but it seems he isn’t quite done yet.
Kershaw will represent Team USA in the 2026 World Baseball Classic. He joins several other stars, including Dodgers catcher Will Smith and two-time Detroit Tigers Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
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The 37-year-old future Hall of Famer will give it one more go, and he will represent his country for the first time in the World Baseball Classic. He was slated to pitch in 2023, but withdrew due to insurance complications.
A few weeks after the 2025 World Series victory, Kershaw shared he had no plans to enter a coaching or managing career.
“I think the biggest thing is I have zero motivation to workout at all. Zero. I just don’t want to do anything,” Kershaw said. “And that usually happens after the season, but slowly but surely you’re like, ‘Alright, I’ve gotta do this to get ready for next season.’ But with no next season, it’s like, I guess I need to start working out because this body can get out of hand really fast. But, right now, no motivation to do that.”
The Dodgers legend also added that he knew he was calling his career quits all of last season before he officially announced it in mid-September.
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“I knew I was done basically the whole season,” Kershaw said. I kind of went into this year thinking it was going to be my last one and didn’t really say anything until the end and then going into the postseason definitely knowing it was my last one. What a way to end it, man, it was so special. I couldn’t script it any better than that. It was just time, it was time to be done and I’m at peace with that and I don’t have to try to keep up anymore.”
While Kershaw had no intention of continuing his MLB career or stepping into a coaching or front-office role, there was no mention of representing his country. The Texas native will look to lead Team USA to their first Gold medal since 2017.
Photo Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images
