It is easy to imagine the greats of any sport as timeless. They are captured in their primes, dominating the competition during their Hall of Fame careers.
But time awaits no one, not even the greats. Age catches up to everyone as injuries and ineffectiveness cause their numbers to fade. Such is the case every year, when those veterans have to admit to themselves that they do not have anything left and it is time to walk away.
It is time for several players to face reality. Let’s take a look at three legends who should hang up the spikes for good.
Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw has put together an impressive career. He has posted a 212-94 record with a 2.50 ERA and a 1.010 WHiP over his 2,742.2 innings, striking out 2,968 batters with just 678 walks. A 10-time All-Star, Kershaw has won three Cy Young awards, was named the 2014 NL MVP and won a World Series in 2020.
Injuries have hindered Kershaw over his last few years. He made just seven starts in 2024, making his season debut on July 25 due to offseason shoulder surgery. Kershaw then missed the final month of the season as he returned to the injured list due to a bone spur in his toe. The 36-year-old does hold a player option for 2025 if he wants to return. However, he struggled this season, posting a 4.50 ERA and a 1.500 WHiP in his 30 innings, striking out 24 batters with nine walks. His injuries are saying that it is time to move on.
Max Scherzer
Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer has been in high demand, as he has been part of four different franchises since the start of the 2021 season. He has continued to burnish his Hall of Fame credentials, posting a lifetime 216-112 record with a 3.16 ERA and a 1.078 WHiP over his 2,878 innings, striking out 3,407 batters with 756 walks. An eight-time All-Star, Scherzer has won three Cy Young awards — he’s one of seven pitchers to take home the award in both leagues — and a pair of World Series rings.
Like Kershaw, Scherzer has battled injuries this season. He underwent offseason back surgery to repair a herniated disk, the first time that he went under the knife in his career. His rehab was slowed by a nerve issue, with Scherzer making his first appearance of the year on June 23. He posted a 3.95 ERA and a 1.154 WHiP in his 43.1 innings over nine starts, with just one of those outings coming after the trade deadline due to further injuries. Scherzer said that he intends on pitching in 2025, but at 40-years-old, Father Time is quickly catching up.
Justin Verlander
Astros pitcher Justin Verlander has been consistently dominant throughout his career. He has posted a 262-147 record with a 3.30 ERA and a 1.125 WHiP over his 3,415.2 innings, striking out 3,416 batters with 952 walks. A nine-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young award winner and 2011 AL MVP, Verlander is the active leader in wins, strikeouts, innings and complete games.
The typically durable Verlander battled injuries throughout the year, beginning the season on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation before missing two-and-a-half months with a neck injury. He struggled to a 5.48 ERA and a 1.384 WHiP over his 90.1 innings, striking out 74 batters with 27 walks. The 41-year-old said that he is “not ready to step away,” but it is fair to wonder how much he has left in the tank.
