Dodgers’ Kershaw Is Much More Than a Strikeout Machine

During Clayton Kershaw’s 18 seasons in Los Angeles he has won many of MLB’s most prestigious awards—including three Cy Young Awards.
Dodgers’ Kershaw Is Much More Than a Strikeout Machine
Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates after striking out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox during the sixth inning to record his 3,000th career strikeout at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 02, 2025. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
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Throughout his 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw has performed as one of the most complete pitchers in MLB history.

The pressure will be far less on Kershaw the next time he toes the rubber on the pitcher’s mound. Coming into this season, the future Hall of Famer needed 32 strikeouts to join the 3,000 club, which, until July 2, had been attained by only 19 pitchers in the history of the game. In his ninth start of the season, the veteran lefty, who has spent his entire MLB career with the Dodgers, registered his 32nd strikeout of the season to become the 20th pitcher to collect 3,000 Ks.

Donald Laible
Donald Laible
Author
Don has covered pro baseball for several decades, beginning in the minor leagues as a radio broadcaster in the NY Mets organization. His Ice Chips & Diamond Dust blog ran from 2012-2020 at uticaod.com. His baseball passion surrounds anything concerning the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and writing features on the players and staff of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Don currently resides in southwest Florida.