Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw makes MLB history, joins exclusive club    

Kershaw joined a legendary group that includes Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Walter Johnson, Gregg Maddux, Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martinez, Steve Carlton, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Ferguson Jenkins, Gaylord Perry, Phil Niekro, CC Sabathia, Bob Gibson, Bert Blyleven, Curt Schilling, John Smoltz and the other active members Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer. 

Kershaw then soaked in the moment with his teammates and the only fans he has ever known before tipping his cap and exiting the game. 

The Dodgers were trailing Chicago 4-2 in the game at the time, as Kershaw allowed four runs off nine hits on the night. But none of that mattered in the moment. What mattered is Kershaw has further solidified his place, not only in Dodgers history, but as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.  

Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts is now even willing to entertain the possibility that Kershaw is the greatest pitcher in the history of the Dodgers, one of baseball's most storied franchises. 

"I think that for me, obviously, Sandy [Koufax] is Sandy, [Don] Drysdale -- I haven't [looked at] their numbers. But you're talking about 18 years, though, and the career, the body of work, it's hard not to say Clayton is the greatest Dodger of all time," said Roberts when asked about where Kershaw ranks all-time.

In addition to the benchmark strikeout total, Kershaw, 37, has 216 wins, a number that would undoubtedly be higher if not for injuries causing him to miss most of multiple seasons. But to further show his overall brilliance, Kershaw has a 2.51 cumulative ERA and a 1.01 WHIP. 

Kershaw is a 10-time National League All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner. He even has a Gold Glove and was named the 2014 National League MVP, a rare honor for a pitcher. Beyond his 3,000 regular season strikeouts, Kershaw has 213 in the postseason and 13 playoff wins. 

Even though the Dodgers won the World Series without him last postseason, Kershaw was able to experience Los Angeles capturing the franchise's first championship since 1988, giving him a ring no one can deny. 

Kershaw is destined for Cooperstown exactly five years after he retires as a first ballot Hall of Famer. 

And as far as how many more strikeouts Kershaw has left in him before calling it a career, he now has 32 in nine starts so far in 2025.