Clayton Kershaw nearing new career after retiring and declining Dodgers front office job

It appears it hasn’t taken long for Clayton Kershaw to progress to the next stage of his career.

After defeating the Toronto Blue Jays in the World Series, the lefty officially called it quits on an 18-year career leading the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation.

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He had announced his impending retirement just two-weeks before the regular season ended, ensuring fans and the organisation could give him the send-off he well and truly deserved.

Kershaw tossed just under 3,000 innings in his career, finishing with a 2.53 ERA and 3052 strikeouts. He won three Cy Young Awards, an MVP, and made 11 All-Star appearances.

His 196.2 postseason innings rank seventh in MLB history, proving himself as one of the most durable arms this century.

“Over the course of the season, just how grateful I am to have been healthy and be out on the mound and be able to pitch,” Kershaw told reporters at his retirement press conference.

“I think it just made it obvious that this was a good sending-off point, and it is. I’ve had the best time this year. It’s been a blast.”

The 37-year-old has always been open in saying he wants to spend more time with his family, especially after he and his wife, Ellen, welcomed their fifth child in December.

But that doesn’t mean the southpaw is stepping away from the game entirely.

Clayton Kershaw closing in on NBC role

Front Office Sports’ Ryan Glasspeigel reported that Kershaw and NBC are nearing a deal for the future Hall of Famer to have a role in the network’s MLB coverage.

Reports also suggest it is unlikely to be a full-time schedule, but rather appearing on special events, echoing Kershaw’s desire to spend more time with his family after retiring.

NBC’s pursuit of Kershaw marks the start of a three-year contract between the Network and MLB.

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The package will include Sunday Night Baseball being broadcast on NBC, for the first time in 26-years.

Kershaw recently declined front office role with Dodgers

It was entirely possible that Kershaw couldn’t have been in this position to accept a broadcast deal.

The Dodgers explored keeping Kershaw within the organization, as President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman offered him a job, but he declined.

Kershaw would become the next name on a growing list of former players who have transitioned to broadcasting.

David Ortiz joined FOX Sports just a year after he retired in 2016, and has quickly become a fan favourite.

Alex Rodriguez became a prominent analyst for MLB Network following his 22-year career with the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners.

Hall-of-Fame pitcher John Smoltz currently works for FOX as their lead color commentator.

On-air reporting won’t be an entirely new experience for Kershaw, who appeared in multiple Sportsnet LA broadcasts towards the end of his career, and drew strong reviews.

Los Angeles is set to be a hot topic, too, having won back-to-back championships and signing Kyle Tucker and Edwin Diaz this offseason.

Who else to help with the broadcast than one of the best pitchers of the century?