Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) runs to the mound in the twelfth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Oct 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) runs to the mound in the twelfth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during game three of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Dodgers Video: Lead Singer Of ‘fun.’ Delivers Message To Clayton Kershaw

Originally posted on Dodger Blue | Last updated Jan 4, 2026 11:15 AM ET

Clayton Kershaw will no longer be taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, meaning that it’s also the end of an era for his iconic warm up song “We Are Young” by fun. as well.

The 2011 hit song became synonymous with Kershaw start days in the minds of Dodgers fans. The song has been a giant commercial success as well, winning a Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 55th Grammy Awards.

Nate Ruess of the band fun. congratulated Kershaw on a tremendous career and thanked him for making the band’s song feel like it had played a part in his success.

Clayton taking the mound to "We Are Young?” Iconic.

Here’s a special message from Nate Ruess of the band fun. pic.twitter.com/v2sdAWseHo

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 31, 2025

An appearance in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVI helped “We Are Young” surge in popularity in February 2012. By early January of 2014, the song had sold 6,830,000 copies in the United States. It has also held a lot of staying power in the public consciousness, hitting one billion streams on Spotify in 2023.

fun. formed in 2008 and rose to prominence with the release of its second album, “Some Nights,” in 2012. The album peaked at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, and topped Billboard’s Top Alternative Albums and Top Rock Albums charts.

Dodgers teammates record messages for Clayton Kershaw

With Kershaw’s official retirement after 18 seasons with the organization, several of his former teammates came together to express how much he meant to them.

Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and more Dodgers players shared heartfelt messages to Kershaw as he prepares for life after baseball in a video posted on the final day of the year.

Aside from his success on the mound, Kershaw was a popular teammate for his approachability and leadership. So it is no surprise to see the lasting impact he had on the lives of some of the hundreds of players who shared a clubhouse with him over nearly two decades in L.A.

He leaves a legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in franchise history, accomplishing just about everything on the field, from three Cy Young Awards to a triple crown.

This article first appeared on Dodger Blue and was syndicated with permission.

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