LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers' 2025 World Series ring ceremony had come and gone, but the fans in the stands were left wanting more. They knew Clayton Kershaw was in the ballpark, but he was nowhere to be seen.
After Dodgers legend Orel Hershiser took to the mound to throw out the first pitch before Friday night's game with the D-backs, then was called back to the SportsNet LA booth by Joe Davis, the crowd began to realize what was going on. And then Kershaw strode out to the mound he had called home for 18 big league seasons to his signature entrance music, Fun's "We Are Young."
Kershaw took the mound at Dodger Stadium for the first time since he retired, throwing out the ceremonial first pitch to Freddie Freeman -- the one who removed the legendary left-hander from his final regular-season start last September. Then Kershaw received his third career World Series ring, and the Dodgers' faithful let loose.
It had been a long time since Opening Day took place at Dodger Stadium without Kershaw, and this year was no exception. Ahead of Thursday night's eventual Dodgers win, Kershaw was down on the field for batting practice, clad in suit and tie, preparing to make his on-air debut as an analyst for NBC. He was back on the field on Friday afternoon, hours before the ring ceremony and the Dodgers' game against the D-backs.
Across Kershaw's decorated career, he came to embody what it meant to be a Dodger. And though the left-hander's days on the mound are behind him, Kershaw's presence will still loom large within the organization.
From the night that the Dodgers became back-to-back World Series champions and Kershaw's retirement became official, the team made it clear that he would have a role in L.A. if he wanted it. The exact details of that role are still to be determined, but as of Friday, Kershaw is back with the Dodgers as a special assistant.
"I think I’ll be involved. Probably not physically here in L.A.," Kershaw said. "But definitely, I’m sure 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.”
One challenge of retirement is figuring out how to fill the waking hours that would otherwise be occupied by work, but Kershaw has kept busy since hanging 'em up last November.
After Kershaw enjoyed a storybook ending to his decorated big league career, he came out for an encore by suiting up for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. Kershaw pitched an inning for the Stars and Stripes in an Arizona exhibition but ultimately did not make it into a tournament game, closing the book on his playing days once more.
Kershaw then signed on with NBC as an analyst, which won't exactly fill up his schedule, as he only expects to be on one additional broadcast in August. The Dodgers got a kick out of seeing him in his new role.
"The guys were poking fun at him during the broadcast, during the game," manager Dave Roberts said on Opening Day.
"He looked good. He looked sharp. He had a nice haircut, cleaned up the beard. There was some intensity, too, him watching the game. But I think he’s happy that he wasn’t in uniform."
Indeed, Kershaw is ready to embrace what it means to be retired. He picked up a bat during Friday's batting practice and took a few dry swings, but he had no desire to get in the batter's box, or on the mound for that matter. He misses the people far more than the game itself, and getting to be around his former team once more was what meant the most in his return to his longtime home ballpark.
"I wouldn't say it's hard to be here," Kershaw said. "But you remember what you're missing, which is challenging, for sure."
The people in Kershaw's life are a big part of the reason why he's taking his retirement one day at a time. He is looking forward to having more time at home with his wife Ellen and their five children, and not living within the confines of the baseball schedule.
"There's a freedom with retirement," Kershaw said. "If you don't want to work out, you don't have to. If your back hurts, it doesn't matter. If your arm hurts, it doesn't matter. You get to see a lot more stuff, be around for everything. …
"I don't feel like retirement's really, really started yet. Now that the season's started and I'm going to go home after this, this next week will probably feel like a normal retirement week."
Meanwhile, the Dodgers' bid for a three-peat is just beginning. After Friday's ring ceremony, they can turn the page from last year and shift their focus to the history they could make this year.
But Kershaw will savor the moment a little longer.
"Anytime you get to celebrate one more time with your teammates, it’s pretty special. I know they've got to move on to this season, but I don’t have to," Kershaw said. "So I’m just going to keep relishing it."