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Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Makes History With 3,000th Career Strikeout

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sterling Bennett | Last updated Jul 3, 2025 2:15 AM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is officially a legend. After an already stellar career with over 200 wins, a sub-2.60 ERA, 10 All-Star appearances and multiple World Series championships, the left-hander accomplished his most impressive feat on Tuesday night.

On a 1-2 count against Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox, Kershaw got the right-hander looking to join the exclusive 3,000 strikeout club. The Dodgers’ ace is the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach the milestone.

The multiple-time Cy Young winner entered Tuesday night's game three strikeouts shy of the record and did not register a strikeout in the first two innings. He eventually got former teammate Miguel Vargas in the third inning, but then surrendered two runs, leading to a climactic sixth inning where he struck out Capra looking.

Kershaw is now the fourth left-handed pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts, joining Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, and CC Sabathia. He is just the second pitcher to achieve the milestone entirely with one franchise, following legends Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson. Additionally, he is also the third active pitcher to reach the mark, alongside Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

Kershaw began his career with the Dodgers as a 20-year-old rookie in 2008. His first strikeout came on May 25th in his first career start against Skip Schumacher, the leadoff hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals. He went on to notch seven strikeouts in his MLB debut and, 17 years later, may be the last to join the 3,000 strikeout club for the foreseeable future.

If he had not done so already, Kershaw is now guaranteed to reach immortality as an eventual member of the MLB Hall of Fame.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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