Clayton Kershaw joins Dodgers front office as special assistant Clayton Kershaw’s career with the Los Angeles Dodgers will officially last beyond his retirement. The future Hall of Famer is joining the organization as a special assistant, according to MLB.com’s Sonja Chen. The specifics of his role with the team are reportedly unclear, but Kershaw expressed his desire to remain involved with the club. “I think I’ll be involved … I still want to be a part of the Dodgers, so if I can help in some small piece, I will,” Kershaw said. Kershaw played his final MLB game last year, winning a second consecutive World Series championship with the Dodgers. He made a return to competitive baseball this spring by joining Team USA for the World Baseball Classic but did not appear in any games during the tournament. The Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, reportedly approached Kershaw about a role in the team’s baseball operations department shortly after the Dodgers’ seven-game victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Kershaw, who lives with his family in Dallas, declined the full-time offer, stating he did not see another long-term position in his future. Instead, Kershaw will now take on two part-time roles. In addition to his new position with the Dodgers, he is working as part of NBC’s new MLB broadcast crew this season. He made his television debut with the Dodgers’ Opening Day win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. Kershaw has been a member of the Dodgers organization since the team drafted him seventh overall in the first round of the 2006 MLB Draft. He retired as an 11-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and former MVP, appearing on three World Series-winning teams. He is the club’s all-time strikeout leader with 3,052.#nbc #mlb #los_angeles_dodgers #clayton_kershaw #andrew_friedman
Dodgers Hire Clayton Kershaw As Special Assistant Clayton Kershaw has returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a non-playing capacity, joining the organization as a special assistant in their front office. The move was reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, who noted that Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer, will be involved with the team in some capacity. Kershaw, who retired after the 2025 season, was included on the Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic this spring but did not participate in any games. He was removed from the roster before the semifinals, making his inclusion largely symbolic. Kershaw is currently in Los Angeles for the season-opening series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was part of the NBC broadcast team for the opener and will attend the World Series ring ceremony at Dodger Stadium later this week. While the specifics of his role remain unclear, special assistant positions in Major League Baseball vary in scope. Some are ceremonial or public relations-focused, while others involve working with players and prospects during Spring Training and the regular season. Kershaw’s decision to remain with the Dodgers aligns with his long-standing connection to the franchise. He spent his entire 13-season career with the team, posting a 2.53 ERA over nearly 3,000 innings. His tenure included three World Series championships, five ERA titles, three Cy Young Awards, and an NL MVP award in 2014. He remains the most recent pitcher to win the NL MVP honor. Despite his retirement, Kershaw’s influence on the Dodgers continues. His presence at the team’s events underscores his enduring relationship with the organization. While his exact responsibilities as a special assistant are not yet detailed, his involvement is seen as a natural extension of his legacy with the club.#world_baseball_classic #nbc #los_angeles_dodgers #clayton_kershaw #dodger_stadium
Clayton Kershaw Joins Dodgers as Special Assistant The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially announced Clayton Kershaw’s new role as a special assistant, fulfilling the team’s long-standing desire to keep him connected to the organization. Kershaw, 38, described the position as flexible, emphasizing that it will not involve coaching. Speaking ahead of the Dodgers’ ring ceremony, he stated, “I’ll be involved somehow. Probably not physically here in L.A., but definitely I’ll watch games. I still want to be a part of the Dodgers, so if I can help in some small piece, I will.” Kershaw’s broadcasting debut for NBC occurred during Thursday’s Opening Day, where he provided insights from the third-base dugout as the Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-2. He remained in Los Angeles overnight to receive his third championship ring the following day, a symbolic end to his 18-year career. Reflecting on the moment, he said, “I know they’ve got to move on to this season, but I don’t have to. I’m just going to keep relishing it.” Kershaw announced his retirement in late 2025, concluding his career with 11 wins and a 3.39 ERA in 22 starts. He transitioned to a low-leverage bullpen role during the playoffs, where he warmed up for potential use in the World Series’ 11th inning. Unaware that Mookie Betts had initiated a double play leading to the Dodgers’ back-to-back championships, Kershaw later joined Team USA as an emergency reliever in the World Baseball Classic, fulfilling a lifelong goal. His broadcasting debut followed shortly after, marking a seamless shift into a new chapter. Despite his retirement, Kershaw expressed that his transition is not yet complete. “I don’t feel like retirement’s really, really started yet,” he said.#nbc #los_angeles_dodgers #clayton_kershaw #dallas #arizona_diamondbacks
Dodgers World Series Hero 1 Win Away from WBC Title Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith is on the verge of making history with Team USA, as the American squad stands just one victory away from claiming the World Baseball Classic title. The team has not secured a WBC championship since 2017, when they first won the tournament. With two of the three top contenders—Japan and the Dominican Republic—eliminated, Team USA remains the favorite to clinch the title. Smith, the sole representative of the Dodgers in the tournament, is the last remaining player from the team’s roster. Clayton Kershaw, who had initially been part of Team USA, was removed from the squad. Kershaw reflected on his decision to leave the team, stating, “It’s always been a bucket list thing for me to do this and put Team USA across my chest, be able to represent the country.” He emphasized the camaraderie among the players, noting, “You see the group of guys that signed up for it, so I think it’s the same for everybody, just to be able to be in the clubhouse, be able to hang out. Obviously, winning is super important to everybody and the intensity and all that stuff, but for me, just to kind of be a fly on the wall and get to hang out has been, it’s been a blast.” The path to the final has been challenging for Team USA, and they still face significant hurdles to become the second team in WBC history to win multiple titles. The final match is set for Tuesday, but the opponent remains uncertain. Team Italy and Team Venezuela will face off in the semifinals on Monday, with the winner advancing to face the United States. Team USA’s journey has included a loss to Italy in the group stage, and Venezuela, a strong contender, boasts a roster filled with All-Stars and elite talent.#world_baseball_classic #team_usa #los_angeles_dodgers #clayton_kershaw #will_smith
How many future Hall of Famers are playing in the 2026 WBC? The 2026 World Baseball Classic will feature a star-studded lineup of players who are already considered future Hall of Famers. Among them are some of the most decorated and accomplished athletes in the sport, including several who have already made their mark on the game. The tournament will serve as a showcase for these players, many of whom are in the final stages of their careers or have already reached the pinnacle of their profession. One of the most anticipated players is Clayton Kershaw, who will make his first appearance in the WBC after retiring from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, is expected to be a key figure for the United States team, though his role may be more symbolic than competitive. Similarly, Shohei Ohtani, who is not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame, will represent Japan. Ohtani, a two-time MVP and one of the most versatile players in baseball history, will focus on his baseball career with the Dodgers rather than pitching for Japan. Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ slugger, is another standout player set to compete in the WBC. Judge, who has already won two MVP awards, is considered a strong candidate for the Hall of Fame despite his relatively late start to his professional career. His ability to consistently deliver at the highest level has made him a fan favorite and a potential future inductee. Manny Machado, the Dominican Republic’s star third baseman, is also expected to play in the tournament. Machado, who has already accumulated over 60 career WAR, is on the verge of securing his place in the Hall of Fame. His impressive statistics, including over 2,000 hits and 369 home runs, make him a strong contender for induction.#world_baseball_classic #shohei_ohtani #aaron_judge #manny_machado #clayton_kershaw
How many future Hall of Famers are playing in the 2026 WBC? The 2026 World Baseball Classic will feature a star-studded lineup of players who are already being discussed as potential Hall of Fame inductees. While some iconic names from past tournaments are absent, the competition includes a mix of current legends and rising stars. The event will serve as a stage for players who have already made their mark in the sport and are now poised to join baseball’s most revered ranks. Among the notable absences are Freddie Freeman, who opted out of the tournament after previously representing Canada, and Francisco Lindor and Carlos Correa, who were unable to secure injury insurance. Lindor’s injury to his hamate bone further complicated Puerto Rico’s roster, leaving a gap in their lineup. Meanwhile, the United States team has added exciting first-time participants like Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper, both of whom are already being considered for Cooperstown. The tournament will see several players who are already on the short list for the Hall of Fame. These athletes are categorized into tiers based on their likelihood of induction, with Tier 1 players being the most certain to be enshrined. Clayton Kershaw, now retired from the Los Angeles Dodgers, will make his WBC debut, though his role is expected to be ceremonial. Shohei Ohtani, though not yet eligible for the Hall of Fame, is a lock due to his historic achievements, including four MVP Awards. Aaron Judge, the New York Yankees’ star, is already being discussed as a future Hall of Famer. Despite starting his career later and facing injuries, his high WAR numbers and consistent performance have solidified his place among the elite. Manny Machado, representing the Dominican Republic, has accumulated over 61.#world_baseball_classic #freddie_freeman #francisco_lindor #carlos_correa #clayton_kershaw
