Kershaw Defends Dodgers Dynasty as Benefit to MLB

Clayton Kershaw, the veteran Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher who retired at the end of the 2025 season, defended the team's emerging dynasty as a positive force for Major League Baseball, drawing parallels to the dominant New York Yankees squads of the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Kershaw, who spent his entire 18-year career with the Dodgers, made the comments during a recent appearance on the podcast "Literally! with Rob Lowe." The 37-year-old left-hander, widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in MLB history, helped lead Los Angeles to three World Series titles, including back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025. In his final season, Kershaw posted an 11-2 record with a 3.36 earned-run average over 23 starts before contributing a key out in relief during Game 3 of the 2025 World Series, a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

"I think that was the way the Yankees were," Kershaw said. "When I was growing up, the Yankees were the best team in the World Series and winning all those. But I think that's good for baseball. I really do. Having a team that you either love, because that's your team, or you hate because they keep winning, that's good for baseball."