How Clayton Kershaw’s 18th Season Quietly Redefines Leadership Amid Dodgers’ Youth Revolution

If you blinked during Clayton Kershaw’s recent season opener, you might have missed much of his time on the mound. Four innings that didn’t quite tell the story he wanted to share. Yet in the grand tapestry of his remarkable career, this outing wasn’t about the stats—no, it was about another milestone. Eighteen seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers—a run so long and loyal it matches the names of legends like Zack Wheat and Bill Russell.

Now, sure, the Dodgers’ headlines are often dominated these days by the electrifying exploits of Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, dazzling stars who command the spotlight. But don’t let that dim the importance of Kershaw’s enduring imprint on the franchise. A player who’s not only stayed true to one city but has become synonymous with the team’s rise to prominence. Like Russell before him, Kershaw’s entire major league journey has been woven into the fabric of Los Angeles baseball—never straying, never looking elsewhere—and that kind of allegiance is as rare as it is impressive.

Speaking of loyalty, here’s a rundown of the longest-tenured players in Major League Baseball who wore a single uniform their entire careers — just for teams still in the same city. It’s a roll call of devotion, endurance, and hometown pride. That’s why some iconic careers like Mel Ott’s slip off this list, thanks to franchise relocations… and why teams like the Athletics don’t figure in here despite their history.

Baltimore Orioles: Brooks Robinson, 23 seasons
Boston Red Sox: Carl Yastrzemski, 23
Chicago Cubs: Cap Anson, 22
St. Louis Cardinals: Stan Musial, 22
Detroit Tigers: Al Kaline, 22
(And so on…)

It’s a tribute to the unsung marathoners in a game often glorifying peak moments. These players stuck around, season after season, becoming hometown heroes and pillars of their ballclubs. And Kershaw, with 18 seasons and counting, sits proudly among these stalwarts, his story far from over.

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Clayton Kershaw made his season debut, and although his performance over four innings was forgettable, he still added another accomplishment to his illustrious career.

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