Clayton Kershaw cements his legacy with 3,000th career strikeout milestone
TOI World Desk | TIMESOFINDIA.COM | Jul 04, 2025, 00:21 IST
( Image credit : TOIGLOBAL )
Clayton Kershaw etched his name further into baseball lore Wednesday night, achieving his 3,000th career strikeout as a Los Angeles Dodger. He joins Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson as the only pitchers to reach this milestone with a single team. The legendary left-hander's accomplishment solidifies his place among the game's all-time greats, marking another significant achievement in his illustrious career.
Clayton Kershaw made Major League Baseball history Wednesday night, becoming just the 20th pitcher ever to record 3,000 career strikeouts—and only the third to do it while playing for a single team.
The Los Angeles Dodgers legend reached the milestone in front of a roaring home crowd at Dodger Stadium during a game against the Chicago White Sox. Entering the night needing three strikeouts to hit the mark, Kershaw struck out former teammate Miguel Vargas in the third inning, then got Lenyn Sosa in the fifth. In the sixth inning, with Vinny Capra at the plate, Kershaw fired a signature slider that sealed the momentous 3,000th K.
The 6-foot-4 left-hander now joins an elite club that includes Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson—the only other pitchers to reach 3,000 strikeouts with just one franchise. He also becomes only the fourth lefty to achieve the feat, alongside Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, and CC Sabathia. Nolan Ryan still holds the all-time record with an astounding 5,714 strikeouts.
At age 37, Kershaw’s fastball may have lost some of its former zip, but his craftiness, poise, and leadership remain unmatched. A three-time National League Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP, he’s spent all 18 seasons of his MLB career with the Dodgers.
“It’s really the last box for Clayton to check off in his incredible career,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts ahead of the game. “He’s never craved the spotlight, but he deserves every bit of this recognition.”
The crowd rose to its feet in a standing ovation as Capra walked away, and Kershaw tipped his cap to acknowledge the fans and his teammates.
With this milestone, Kershaw further cements his status as one of the greatest pitchers of the modern era—and possibly of all time. While questions remain about how much longer he’ll pitch, one thing is certain: his place in baseball history is secure.