On July 2, 2025, at the iconic Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Clayton Kershaw, the Los Angeles Dodgers' legendary left-handed ace, etched his name deeper into Major League Baseball history by recording his 3,000th career strikeout. Facing off against the Chicago White Sox, Kershaw became only the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach this elite milestone, marking a career that has spanned 18 seasons since his debut in 2008.
The milestone strikeout came in the sixth inning against White Sox batter Gavin Sheets. With two outs and no runners on base, Kershaw unleashed a perfectly placed 85 mph slider that left Sheets frozen in the batter's box. This strikeout was the 3,000th of Kershaw’s illustrious career, a moment that sparked a thunderous standing ovation from the 55,356 fans packed into the stadium. Manager Dave Roberts and Kershaw’s teammates joined in the celebration, embracing the veteran pitcher as he walked off the mound to the cheers of the home crowd.
Kershaw’s journey to 3,000 strikeouts is a testament to his durability, skill, and consistency. He first recorded a strikeout in his MLB debut on May 28, 2008, against Skip Schumaker of the St. Louis Cardinals at just 20 years old. Since then, he has become one of baseball’s most dominant pitchers, earning 10 All-Star selections, three Cy Young Awards, a National League MVP in 2014, and multiple titles for wins, ERA, and strikeouts.
In the game itself, Kershaw pitched six innings, allowing nine hits—including a home run—and four runs. Despite the rough start, he maintained his composure to notch three strikeouts, including the historic 3,000th. The Dodgers trailed 2-4 going into the ninth inning, but a late-game rally saw them score three runs to secure a thrilling 5-4 victory over the White Sox. Shohei Ohtani played a crucial role in the comeback, scoring the tying run and setting up the winning sacrifice fly by Mookie Betts.
Among left-handed pitchers, Kershaw is only the fourth ever to reach 3,000 strikeouts, joining legends Randy Johnson (4,875), Steve Carlton (4,136), and CC Sabathia (3,093). He is also one of just three pitchers in MLB history to reach this milestone while playing for a single team, alongside Walter Johnson of the Washington Senators and Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals. His loyalty to the Dodgers since his rookie season has made him a franchise icon and a beloved figure in Los Angeles.
Currently 37 years old, Kershaw ranks third among active pitchers in career strikeouts, trailing only Justin Verlander of the San Francisco Giants (3,471) and Max Scherzer of the Toronto Blue Jays (3,419). However, with Verlander and Scherzer both older and facing injury setbacks, Kershaw’s achievement may represent the final addition to the 3,000-strikeout club by an active pitcher.
Kershaw's career statistics are nothing short of remarkable. Over 440 games, he has amassed 216 wins against 94 losses, with a career ERA of 2.52. His adjusted ERA+ of 155 ranks as the best among pitchers with over 2,000 innings pitched since the start of the live-ball era in 1920, according to Baseball-Reference. Despite battling injuries in recent years, including shoulder surgery in late 2023 and subsequent thumb and knee surgeries, Kershaw has shown resilience by returning to the mound and continuing to perform at a high level.
This season, Kershaw has recorded four wins with a 3.43 ERA, demonstrating that even in the twilight of his career, he remains a formidable presence on the mound. His recent return to form has been encouraging for Dodgers fans, who have witnessed a late-season surge in his strikeout totals, including 29 strikeouts in his first eight starts of the year before reaching the 3,000 mark.
Kershaw’s connection to Korean baseball fans is also notable. In his rookie year, he competed against the legendary Korean pitcher Park Chan-ho and has maintained close ties with fellow Korean players like Ryu Hyun-jin. Currently, Kershaw is teammates with Kim Hye-seong, who contributed to the Dodgers’ victory on this historic day by going 1-for-3 with a walk and raising his season batting average to .368.
The Dodgers, leading the National League West with a 55-32 record, continue to be a dominant force in the league. This thrilling victory over the White Sox, capped by Kershaw’s milestone, adds another memorable chapter to their season. As the Dodgers push forward, Kershaw’s legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation is firmly cemented, inspiring fans and players alike with his remarkable career and unwavering dedication.
The 3,000 strikeout milestone is more than just a number; it symbolizes Kershaw’s enduring excellence, longevity, and impact on the game of baseball. With the cheers still echoing through Dodger Stadium, fans and teammates alike celebrated a moment that will be remembered for generations to come.
