Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025

For the last out of the sixth, Clayton Kershaw collected the three thousandth strikeout in his fantastic major league career. Dave Roberts left Kershaw in the game longer than usual, so he could accomplish the amazing feat. He became the twentieth pitcher to have at least three thousand strikeouts and the third pitcher to do it with one team.

Kershaw debuted on Sunday, May 25, 2008, as a twenty-year-old left-hander with a fastball and a rainbow curveball. Many people compared the youngster to the great Sandy Koufax. However, Kershaw has surpassed Koufax because he has had better health and medical care.

Both lefties struggled early in their careers. In Wrigley Field’s bullpen, Kershaw discovered his slider, which changed the trajectory of his career.

Kershaw won three Cy Young Awards in 2011, 2013, and 2014 and the 2014 MVP.

After 2017, Kershaw had to discover the way to dominate without much velocity. He did. He played a vital role in the 2020 World Championship despite having back problems.

In 2021, Kershaw was having a brilliant season until July when he went on the IL with left forearm inflammation. He tried to come back but couldn’t. He didn’t need Tommy John surgery. Many people thought Kershaw would retire.

But…

Kershaw returned for the 2022 season. In his first regular-season start in the 2022 season, he pitched 7 perfect innings with 13 strikeouts. Dave Roberts was criticized for pulling Kershaw after 80 pitches, but Kershaw agreed with the decision because of the lockout-abbreviated spring training. He pitched great and started for the National League at the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. He pitched satisfactorily, even in the 2022 NLDS against the San Diego Padres.

To start the 2023 season, Kershaw looked like a National League Cy Young award candidate until his first start in Colorado in late June. He injured his left shoulder. While he came back and started Game 1 of the NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, which was an embarrassment, Kershaw was not right. After the 2023 season, Kershaw underwent his first surgery as a baseball player to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule.

 After the 2024 All-Star break, Kershaw returned to the mound against the San Francisco Giants. He pitched well until late August. Again, against the Diamondbacks, Kershaw suffered embarrassment because he couldn’t push off the mound because of a toe injury. Kershaw hoped he could pitch in the 2024 postseason but couldn’t.

After getting his second World Championship, Kershaw underwent toe and knee surgeries, and the Dodgers thought Kershaw would return after the All-Star break. However, his recovery went well and faster than anyone expected. On May 17^th, Kershaw made his debut. It took him two starts before he regained his dominance.

Visibly nervous, Kershaw didn’t pitch brilliantly in the game where he collected his three thousandth strikeout. For the first time in his last 4 starts, he struggled. The Chicago White Sox were determined not to make history. On his 100^th pitch of the night, he became the twentieth pitcher to collect three thousand strikeouts. He is the fourth left-handed pitcher to have three thousand strikeouts. He is the third pitcher to have three thousand strikeouts for one team.

Clayton Kershaw is from a different breed of modern-day pitcher. Many pundits think Kershaw might be the last pitcher to collect three thousand strikeouts. He will be the last pitcher who will play for one team. Kershaw has the lowest ERA among starting pitchers since 1900. While I didn’t watch Sandy Koufax pitch because I wasn’t born yet, to me, Clayton Kershaw is the best Dodger starting pitcher in Dodger franchise history.