Home SPORTS Clayton Kershaw's Legendary Career: A Look Back at His Achievements

Clayton Kershaw's Legendary Career: A Look Back at His Achievements

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Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw's final home start



Clayton Kershaw's illustrious 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers comes to an end. Read more about his achievements and legacy.


Kershaw's decision to retire comes after an 18-year career, all spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers...


Clayton Kershaw bowed out on a high note in his final regular-season home start for the Los Angeles Dodgers, striking out six batters in 4.1 innings against the San Francisco Giants. Despite giving up two runs on four hits and walking four, Kershaw's performance helped secure a 6-3 win for the Dodgers, clinching their 13th consecutive playoff berth.


Kershaw's final strikeout was particularly memorable, as he fanned Rafael Devers in the fifth inning to finish his home start. The Dodgers' manager, Dave Roberts, revealed that Kershaw apologized for not pitching better, saying he was “grinding out there working way too hard to get people out.” Kershaw received a standing ovation when he left the game and even got a chance to wave to the crowd before heading into the dugout.




The Dodgers' victory marked a fitting farewell for Kershaw, with Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts hitting back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning to give the team a 4-2 lead. Kershaw's performance may not have been perfect, but it was a testament to his enduring talent and dedication to the game.


Clayton Kershaw is wrapping up his illustrious career with a notable season, boasting a 10-2 record and a 3.55 earned run average. In 106.1 innings, he's surrendered 98 hits, struck out 77 batters, and walked 34. The 37-year-old left-hander has announced his retirement from baseball, effective at the end of the season.




Kershaw's decision to retire comes after an 18-year career, all spent with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He expressed his emotions during a press conference, attended by his teammates, coaches, and front-office executives, as well as dozens of media members. His wife, Ellen, and their four children were also in attendance, with a fifth child on the way. Kershaw's retirement marks the end of an era in Dodgers history, with the team looking to fill the void left by his departure.


Clayton Kershaw recently made history by becoming the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball to reach 3,000 career strikeouts. Notably, he joins an elite group of left-handed pitchers who have achieved this milestone, including Hall of Famer CC Sabathia, Philadelphia Phillies legend Steve Carlton, and Randy Johnson, known as “The Big Unit.”


Kershaw is in exclusive company among active MLB pitchers, alongside Justin Verlander, 42, and Max Scherzer, 40, who have also surpassed 3,000 strikeouts. These three pitching legends are expected to be first-ballot Hall of Famers, solidifying their places in baseball history.


Active Pitchers Nearing 3,000 Strikeouts:

  • Chris Sale: With 2,564 strikeouts, Sale has a 36% chance of reaching 3,000, contingent on his health and durability
  • Gerrit Cole: Cole has 2,251 strikeouts and a 12% chance, but his recovery from Tommy John surgery will significantly impact his chances
  • Paul Skenes: As a promising young pitcher, Skenes may emerge as a serious contender for 3,000 strikeouts in the future, depending on his performance and longevity


The achievement of 3,000 strikeouts is becoming increasingly rare due to factors like shorter outings and rising injury rates among pitchers. As Kershaw retires, the baseball world wonders if another pitcher will join the 3,000-strikeout club soon.


Clayton Kershaw, a 37-year-old left-handed ace, has spent his entire 18-year career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, mastering his craft with a potent arsenal that includes a devastating slider and a sharp 12-6 curveball. Notably, Kershaw's curveball grip was influenced by Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax, showcasing his dedication to perfecting his pitching technique.


With an illustrious career spanning over a decade and a half, Kershaw has racked up impressive accolades, including three Cy Young Awards, one National League MVP title, and 10 All-Star Game appearances since his debut in 2008. His consistent dominance on the mound has cemented his status as one of the most formidable pitchers in baseball history.


Clayton Kershaw's impressive career includes a remarkable 2011 season, where he won the pitching Triple Crown, becoming the 37th pitcher in MLB history to achieve this feat. This achievement earned him his first of five ERA titles, showcasing his dominance on the mound.


Kershaw's dominant run continued through 2012-2014 and again in 2017, with additional ERA titles. In 2015, he led the league in complete game shutouts with three and posted a stellar 2.13 ERA in a league-leading 33 starts. That same year, Kershaw became one of the select few pitchers to surpass 300 strikeouts in a single season, joining an elite group of 19 in MLB history.


Clayton Kershaw finally achieved his first World Series championship in 2020, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays. Despite struggling with injuries, Kershaw played a crucial role in the Dodgers' postseason run, showcasing his exceptional skills on the mound.


In Game 1 of the World Series, Kershaw pitched six scoreless innings, striking out eight batters and passing John Smoltz for second place all-time in postseason strikeouts. He also started Game 5, pitching 5.2 innings and allowing two runs. The Dodgers' World Series win marked Kershaw's first championship title after 13 years of playing for the team.


Although Kershaw was part of the Dodgers' 2024 World Series-winning team, he didn't participate in the postseason due to injuries. He suffered a shoulder injury that kept him out for the first half of the season and a toe injury that ended his season after starting just seven games. Despite not contributing on the field, Kershaw received a World Series ring for his role in the team's success.


Career Highlights:

Awards and Accolades:
  •  3-time Cy Young Award winner
  •  National League MVP
  •  10-time All-Star Game selection
  •   1x World Series Champion


Career Statistics:

  • 222 wins
  • 96 losses
  • 2.54 ERA
  • 3,039 strikeouts
  • 1.02 WHIP

Legacy:

  • Considered one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in baseball history
  • Expected first-ballot Hall of Famer
  • Franchise leader in wins above replacement (WAR) for the Los Angeles Dodgers

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