Clayton Kershaw couldn’t have written a better ending to his Hall of Fame career. The Dodgers legend wrapped up 18 seasons in the majors the same way he started them – wearing Dodger Blue and hoisting a World Series trophy.

The southpaw’s storybook finish came Sunday night in Toronto, where Los Angeles knocked off the Blue Jays 5-4 in 11 innings to capture Game 7 and back-to-back championships. But here’s the kicker – Clayton Kershaw didn’t even realize he’d just won his third ring.

The Perfect Ending Nobody Saw Coming

While warming up in the bullpen during the bottom of the 11th, Kershaw lost track of the outs when Alejandro Kirk grounded into a game-ending double play. The three-time Cy Young winner thought the tying run had scored.

“When he hit the double play, I thought the run scored, and it was tied,” Clayton Kershaw admitted. “I had no idea. I thought I had the next batter.”

Dodgers bullpen catcher Josh Bard had to break the news – they’d just won it all. Talk about a mic drop moment for one of baseball’s greatest pitchers.

Clayton Kershaw’s Clutch October Performance

This wasn’t just about riding the pine for a championship. Kershaw delivered when it mattered most, coming out of the bullpen in the 12th inning of Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. With the bases loaded and the score knotted at 5-5, manager Dave Roberts made the call that defined Clayton Kershaw’s October legacy.

Eight pitches later, Nathan Lukes rolled a full-count slider to Tommy Edman at second base for the final out. Game over. Series momentum shifted.

“I’m thankful I got to go back out there and get that last out,” Kershaw reflected. “Have it be at Dodger Stadium. Have it be a big out. That’s just so cool.”

From Tortured Soul to October Hero

For years, Kershaw carried the burden of October disappointments. The narrative followed him everywhere – dominant regular season pitcher who couldn’t get it done when the lights burned brightest. Those days are ancient history now.

The numbers tell the story of one of baseball’s most dominant careers. Kershaw retires with a 222-96 record and a microscopic 2.54 ERA – the lowest of any pitcher in the live-ball era since 1920. His winning percentage leads all hurlers with at least 200 victories since 1900.

A Career Worthy of Cooperstown

During his prime stretch from 2010-15, Kershaw owned the National League. Five ERA titles, three strikeout crowns, and two wins leaders later, he’d cemented himself among the game’s elite. The 2014 season stands as his masterpiece – a 21-3 record with a 1.77 ERA and 233 strikeouts earned him both the Cy Young and MVP awards.

The 11-time All-Star joins Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale, Don Newcombe, and Fernando Valenzuela in the pantheon of legendary Dodgers pitchers. Come July 2031, he’ll almost certainly walk through the doors of Cooperstown with a plaque reading “three-time World Series champion.”