Clayton Kershaw Leads Dodgers to Unbelievable 12th NL West Crown in 13 Years—What’s Their Secret Weapon?

PHOENIX — It’s a bittersweet moment under the Arizona sun as the Los Angeles Dodgers lock down their 12th NL West crown in just 13 seasons. But if you listen closely, you’ll hear Clayton Kershaw’s reflective tone about what might be his last dance on this division-winning stage. “This is the part I’m really going to miss,” Kershaw shared after the Dodgers’ commanding 8-0 triumph over the Diamondbacks that sealed the title. Pitching’s his craft, always has been, but it’s the brotherhood — that shared grind and unified push towards glory — that etches the deepest mark on him. At 37, there aren’t many gigs where camaraderie like this exists, and Kershaw knows he’s been part of something extraordinary.

With a storied career boasting 11 All-Star nods and three Cy Young Awards, Kershaw’s announced retirement at the postseason’s end adds a layer of poignancy. Since his rookie days in 2008, he’s been at the heart of 14 division championships, his first and this latest still fresh celebrations of teamwork and triumph. While Dodgers’ rituals have evolved — skipping the splash-filled pool dives of 2013 except for that memorable homestand by Shohei Ohtani — the team’s hunger hasn’t dulled. Freddie Freeman’s power surge, Mookie Betts’ rested resilience, and Dave Roberts’ decade-long playoff streak cement this squad’s relentless spirit. The well-earned title might have arrived a bit later than hoped, but like Roberts says, past glories don’t count now; it’s about trust, overcoming the thick and thin, and chasing that ultimate prize together.

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PHOENIX (AP) — As the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrated their 12th NL West title in 13 years, Clayton Kershaw thought about participating in a division championship for the final time.

“This is what I’m going to miss,” the left-hander said after Thursday’s 8-0 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. “Pitching is great and I love that, too, but getting to do this with a group of guys, all working for a collective goal, the camaraderie, that’s really special.

“You don’t get that anywhere else. There’s no jobs where 37-year-olds get to do that. But I’m good, I had a great run.”

An 11-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw said last week he will retire at the end of the postseason. He won the first of 14 division titles as a rookie in 2008.

“It was a lot of fun then and it’s a lot of fun now,” Kershaw said of the celebration.

While the Dodgers celebrated their 2013 division title by jumping into the Chase Field pool behind the right-field wall, they avoided the water this time — except when Shohei Ohtani hit a splash shot for his 54th home run.

“Winning the division title, you can never take it for granted,” said Freddie Freeman, who homered twice Thursday. “We feel like we’re really starting to click.”

Los Angeles, which reached 90 wins for its 12th straight full season, will play in a wild card series for the first time since the best-of-three round was added in 2022.

“You only play this game for so long, so you only get so many opportunities to do this,” Mookie Betts said. “I feel great. I really didn’t do anything the first half of the season, so I got plenty of rest and I’m just happy to help.”

Dave Roberts has reached the playoffs in all 10 years as Dodgers manager, nine times as a division winner. LA won the World Series last season, beating the Yankees in five games.

“This was expected. We got it done, maybe a little bit later than we hoped. But I’m happy with the way we’re playing,” Roberts said. “I do think we’re better for all the adversity and we’re playing our best baseball right now, What we’ve done before, nothing matters. It’s more about trusting each other and playing for a championship.”