Clayton Kershaw, a throwback to baseball’s past, could be the last to 3,000 strikeouts

Clayton Kershaw: A Throwback to Baseball’s Glory Days Approaches 3,000 Strikeouts

Update: July 3, 2025, 3:09 a.m vipph com. ET

By Rowan Kavner, MLB Writer

LOS ANGELES — In March 2008, just two months before the shaggy-haired, clean-shaven, 20-year-old sensation recorded the first of his 3,000+ career strikeouts, Clayton Kershaw had already left a legendary broadcaster in awe. Wearing No. 96 with no name on the back during a spring training game, the promising prospect threw a mesmerizing breaking ball that seemed to drop from the sky, buckling the knees of Sean Casey and striking out the 12-year MLB veteran. Vin Scully famously dubbed it “Public Enemy No. 1.” That curveball, along with a sharp slider and pinpoint fastball, solidified Kershaw as the left-handed ace of a generation.

Seventeen years later, with four children and flecks of gray in his beard marking the passage of time, the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer achieved yet another historical milestone by striking out Vinny Capra on his 100th pitch of the night, ending the sixth inning on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.

With that strikeout, Kershaw became the 20th player in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. He may also be the last to do it for the foreseeable future, a testament to the longevity and consistent excellence that has defined his Hall of Fame career. Kershaw was thrilled to join Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander on this exclusive list, the only two contemporaries to achieve this incredible feat.

“I remember watching C.C. when he got traded to the Brewers. He pitched on three days’ rest just to help them get to the playoffs,” Kershaw reflected. “It showed me what a starting pitcher could be for a team—having no regard for himself and doing everything he could to help his team succeed.” In an era dominated by opener strategies, bullpen games, and short starts, Kershaw stands out as a lasting remnant of a bygone age. Despite battling a series of injuries over the last decade that have taken some power off his left arm, preventing him from being the workhorse he was in his prime, Kershaw continues to find ways to prevent runs with precision, grit, and intelligence.

“He knows how to find outs,” catcher Will Smith said. “He knows how to pitch.” Still utilizing the iconic pitching motion he learned from Oklahoma head coach Skip Johnson and featuring the same three-pitch mix that will likely earn him a plaque in Cooperstown, Kershaw entered Wednesday’s game boasting a 4-0 record and a 2.08 ERA over his last eight starts.

“It’s a reminder to never bet against Clayton Kershaw,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It doesn’t matter about his health or his stuff; he will do whatever the team needs.” The journey to this milestone required more determination than Kershaw might have preferred. He didn’t register his first strikeout against the White Sox until his 51st pitch in the third inning. His next one came on pitch No. 92, tying his season high for the number thrown in a single game, just as the Dodgers were down 4-2. After finishing the inning unscathed, he returned to the dugout to thunderous applause from a sold-out crowd of 53,536 eager fans.

“We’ve been through so much,” Kershaw said, acknowledging the connection with the fans. “It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed by their support.” He recorded a groundout to start the sixth, followed by a double from Michael A. Taylor, who was later caught attempting to steal third base. That play, however, injured Max Muncy for a moment, but Kershaw stayed focused and struck out Capra on his 100th pitch.

He lifted his cap to the roaring crowd and embraced his teammates as a video tribute played, having fulfilled a long-awaited dream. Three innings later, Freddie Freeman—who had tirelessly counted down Kershaw’s strikeouts—capped off the night with a walk-off single, allowing Kershaw to celebrate with a victory.

“I wanted it to come easily,” Kershaw admitted. “It would have been nice to get it over quickly, but now, reflecting on it, I wouldn’t change a thing. phspin.com” Since the live-ball era, Kershaw boasts the lowest ERA (2.51) and WHIP (1.01) among pitchers with at least 1,500 innings thrown. Furthermore, since his age-30 season in 2018, only Jacob deGrom has a lower ERA than Kershaw among those with 750 innings pitched.

Kershaw’s desire to compete has often meant pitching through pain. Having dealt with numerous injuries—including those to his back, elbow, biceps, shoulder, knee, and foot—he keeps bouncing back. He has made the All-Star team three times in the last six years, with ten selections throughout his career niceph slot login. Over the past 15 seasons, Kershaw led the Dodgers in strikeouts ten times and innings pitched nine times.

“I’m sure someone will tell me to retire at some point,” he quipped before this season. Kershaw is at a point in his career where every season’s conclusion demands a decision. At the championship parade last November, he emotionally declared himself a “Dodger for life” before re-signing with the club. When younger, he didn’t emphasize remaining with one team, but that view has changed.

“The Dodgers have been there for me too. It hasn’t always been smooth sailing, but there’s so much mutual respect,” Kershaw expressed. “I’m immensely grateful to be able to spend my whole career here. jilli asia” However, he wants to continue only if he can still contribute effectively. Kershaw now holds the record for the most seasons played with the Dodgers by any pitcher, and given the current injuries in the rotation, his innings are still crucial to the team.

“We all know what he means for baseball and this organization,” teammate Miguel Rojas said. Rojas looks back fondly on the day of Kershaw’s only no-hitter—June 18, 2014—when he made a pivotal play at third base. Playing behind Kershaw again recently, he couldn’t help but recall that cherished moment.

“Every time I take the field behind him, I think he’s going to throw another no-hitter,” Rojas said. Kershaw hasn’t achieved another no-hitter since that day, but has added to his Hall of Fame resume. His recent milestone was merely the latest exciting chapter in his illustrious career.

Kershaw’s manager identified the significance of this milestone: “This is it for his career. He’s won championships, and he wants this.” Time has softened Kershaw’s once-intense demeanor. sports ph With time, injuries, and a growing family, he has often expressed gratitude for every time he takes the mound.

“I just want to be a contributing part of this team,” Kershaw said before the season began. He entered this year needing 32 strikeouts to reach 3,000, a milestone that only three other left-handers have achieved. As he neared this number, he began to feel its significance. Following a solid outing in mid-June, he quickly approached the historic benchmark.

Ultimately, Kershaw’s journey culminated in a historic moment, becoming the only Dodger to reach the 3,000-strikeout mark—all while exclusively with the franchise. As he did so, Kershaw solidified his place among the greats, even as the landscape of baseball evolves with younger players emerging.

So, could Kershaw’s achievement spark a new wave of pitchers approaching this milestone? What do you think?