Los Angeles Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw has officially retired from Major League Baseball concluding his legendary 18-year career, all spent with the Dodgers, on the highest possible note: a World Series victory.

The future Hall of Fame pitcher, who had announced his plan to retire in September, threw his final pitches in the Dodgers’ successful campaign for back-to-back championships.

The thrilling World Series Game 7 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night marked the last game of the 37-year-old left-hander’s career.

In a moment of classic Kershaw humility, he admitted he did not even realise his team had clinched the title right away, as he was warming up in the bullpen.

At a World Series celebration rally, an emotional Kershaw addressed the fans one last time as an active player.

“Thank you for showing up and watching us play for the last 18 years,” he said, his voice cracking.

“Last year I said I was a Dodger for life. Today, that’s true. And today, I get to say that I’m champion for life and that’s never going away.”

The legendary pitcher is now focused on the next chapter of his life: family.

“I think first and foremost is for me to have this fifth kid and be a dad for a while,” he stated.

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman has already mentioned he is leaving the door open for Kershaw to return to the organisation in a non-playing capacity.