It’s simple to think of the greatest athletes in any sport as timeless. As they dominate the competition during their Hall of Fame careers, they are caught in the prime of their careers.

But even the greats cannot escape the passage of time. Everyone eventually ages as a result of injuries and inefficiency that reduce their numbers. Every year, those veterans are forced to confront the fact that they are at their breaking point and that it is time to part ways.

There are a few players that need to confront the facts. Let’s examine three icons who ought to hang up their spikes permanently.

Kershaw Clayton

Clayton Kershaw, a pitcher with the Dodgers, has had a remarkable career. In his 2,742.2 innings pitched, he has a 212-94 record, a 2.50 ERA, a 1.010 WHiP, and he has struck out 2,968 batters while walking just 678. All-Star Clayton Kershaw is the winner of three Cy Young awards, the 2014 NL MVP, and the 2020 World Series champion.

Due to offseason shoulder surgery, he only made seven starts in 2024, making his season debut on July 25. Then, because of a bone spur in his toe, Kershaw had to return to the injured list, missing the last month of the campaign. If he wishes to make a comeback, the 36-year-old does have a player option through 2025. He pitched 30 innings this season and struck out 24 batters while walking nine, but he struggled, recording a 4.50 ERA and 1.500 WHIP. His wounds are a sign that it’s time to let go.

Maxime Scherzer

Since the beginning of the 2021 season, Rangers pitcher Max Scherzer has been a member of four different teams, demonstrating his great demand. With a lifetime record of 216-112 with a 3.16 ERA and 1.078 WHiP across 2,878 innings pitched, he has continued to hone his Hall of Fame credentials. He has also struck out 3,407 batters and given up 756 walks. Eight-time All-Star Scherzer is one of only seven pitchers to win the Cy Young award in both leagues. He also has two World Series rings in addition to his three Cy Young trophies.

Scherzer has struggled with injuries this season, just like Kershaw. For the first time in his career, he had back surgery during the offseason to fix a bulging disc.In his 43.1 innings over nine starts, he recorded a 3.95 ERA and a 1.154 WHiP; just one of those appearances came after the trade deadline because of additional injuries. Though at forty years old, Father Time is catching up swiftly, Scherzer stated that he plans to continue pitching in 2025.

Verlander Justin

Over his career, Justin Verlander, the pitcher for the Astros, has regularly displayed dominance. Throughout his 3,415.2 innings pitched, he has a 262-147 record, a 3.30 ERA, a 1.125 WHiP, and 3,416 strikeouts against 952 walks. Verlander, the 2011 AL MVP, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and nine-time All-Star, leads the league in wins, strikeouts, innings pitched, and complete games.

Throughout the season, the usually resilient Verlander battled injuries; he missed two and a half months because of a neck strain after starting the season on the injured list with inflammation in his shoulder. In his 90.1 innings, he laboured to a 5.48 ERA and a 1.384 WHiP while walking 27 batters and striking out 74 batters. Although the 41-year-old stated that he is “not ready to step away,” one has to question how much longer he has to go.