The Los Angeles Dodgers’ best starting pitcher in franchise history is southpaw Clayton Kershaw, and he’s at it again in his 18th season with the organization. Kershaw has three CY Young awards and was the 2014 MVP. He is one of the best starters in the history of MLB, and he cemented that on Wednesday against the Chicago White Sox.
On Wednesday, Kershaw became just the 20th pitcher in the history of Major League Baseball to reach the 3,000 strikeout mark. He needed three strikeouts against the White Sox, and he got that in the sixth inning with a strikeout on Vinny Capra. It happened on his 100th pitch on the night. Kershaw did give up four earned runs, but nobody in the Dodger Stadium crowd seemed to care about that once he struck out Capra.
Kershaw received a large standing ovation for his incredible accomplishment in front of all the Dodgers faithful at Dodger Stadium. Clayton has spent all 18 seasons of his career with Los Angeles.
He joins illustrious company as just the third active player to have that many punchouts. Both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer have three thousand strikeouts.
Kershaw, who has battled injuries his entire career, looks like his former self this season with a 4-0 record and a 3.03 ERA in 38.2 innings. Kershaw is a two-time World Series Champion with the team back in 2020 and most recently, in 2024.
Clayton Kershaw’s Legacy with the Dodgers
The 37-year-old Kershaw has a case to be one of the left-handed pitchers of all time. He is a five-time ERA champion and has led the league in strikeouts three times. Now, he has added the 3K milestone with strikeouts and is just the fourth southpaw to reach that historic mark.
Since 2008, Kershaw ranks 1st in all of MLB in Earned Run Average, WHIP, FIP, HR/9, and fWAR. He is a rare exception in all of sports as he’s spent over 15 seasons with one organization, and despite what happens from here on out, Kershaw will go out as one of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ franchise icons.
He had a stretch between 2011 and 2018, making seven consecutive All-Star appearances.
Clayton Kershaw’s Journey with Los Angeles
Kershaw’s first Major League Baseball strikeout came in May of 2008. Kershaw has since defeated hitters with his incredible curveball, destructive slider, and lively fastball. While Kershaw can’t get in the mid to upper 90s anymore, he’s been able to keep hitters off balance with his slider and curveball combo for the last few seasons.
Now, Kershaw has a career record of 216-94 with a 2.51 career ERA in 2781 innings pitched. It’s unclear how long Kershaw will pitch in the big leagues, and if he will ever get another postseason start. The Los Angeles Dodgers were built perfectly and don’t necessarily need any more accolades. Once Kershaw’s playing career is over, there’s a good chance that he will stay with the organization as either some sort of assistant or a coach. Kershaw’s legacy is incomprehensible, and his resurgence in his 18th season indicates that.
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