LOS ANGELES, CA – In a moment filled with emotion and speculation, baseball veteran Joe Kelly made his highly anticipated return to Dodger Stadium on Saturday, June 15, 2025, not to pitch, but to finally receive his 2024 World Series championship ring! The intimate ceremony, held just before the Los Angeles Dodgers faced off against their archrivals the San Francisco Giants, quickly became the talk of Kelly’s future.
Surrounded by his wife Ashley and four children, Kelly basked in the admiration of the crowd as the Dodgers played a special video honoring his contributions. Then, in a truly rare display, the entire Dodgers team emerged from the dugout to personally present him with his shiny ring and MLB gold jersey, a gesture that underscored the deep respect and camaraderie he had for his former teammates.
Road to Champions and Uncertain Future
Kelly’s journey to a 2024 ring has been marked by both triumph and heartbreak. He was one of 40 pitchers to contribute to the Dodgers’ championship last year. However, a persistent shoulder injury has significantly limited his regular-season minutes and, heartbreakingly, sidelined him for the entire playoffs. Despite the setback, his 1-1 season with a 4.78 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 9.8 strikeouts per nine innings in 32 innings still reflects his impactful presence when healthy.
Currently a free agent, Kelly’s championship career is somewhat uncertain. In a candid interview on SportsNet LA, he confirmed that he has pitched and hopes to sign with a team at the end of the season, making it clear that he wants to continue his career.
Dodgers Reunion on the Horizon?
Interestingly, the discussion about Kelly’s future often circles back to the Dodgers themselves. With this being his second stint with the club—after also winning the World Series with them in 2020 and famously beating them for the championship with the Red Sox in 2018—the connection is undeniable. The Dodgers have been looking to bolster their pitching depth, and one key detail has emerged: Kelly has reportedly hinted that he will retire if the Dodgers don’t re-sign him. This dramatic ultimatum adds to the intrigue, as fans and analysts alike buzz about a potential reunion that would bring the popular veteran back to the mound at Chavez Ravine.
As the Dodgers continue their quest for a championship, Joe Kelly’s emotional return and lingering questions about his playing future add a compelling human element to the season’s unfolding story.