Clayton Kershaw Reaches 3,000 Career Strikeouts, Becomes 20th Pitcher in MLB History

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw etched his name into baseball history Wednesday night by recording his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming just the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball to achieve the milestone. The historic moment came at Dodger Stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 53,536, as Kershaw struck out Chicago White Sox third baseman Vinny Capra looking at a slider for the final out of the sixth inning.

Kershaw, 37, entered the game needing three strikeouts to reach the exclusive mark. The left-hander, now in his 18th season with the Dodgers, is only the fourth lefty ever to join the 3,000-strikeout club, alongside Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, and CC Sabathia. He is also one of just five pitchers to accumulate 3,000 strikeouts with a single team.

After the milestone strikeout, Kershaw tipped his cap to the roaring crowd, acknowledged his family in the stands, and mouthed "Thank you" as his teammates held back to let him soak in the moment. The game paused for nearly six minutes for a tribute video, underscoring the significance of the achievement for both player and fans.

Kershaw’s journey to 3,000 strikeouts was delayed by offseason surgeries, keeping him off the mound until mid-May. Since returning, he has delivered a series of strong performances, including a 4-0 record and a 2.49 ERA in June. He reached the milestone in 2,787⅓ innings, making him the fourth-fastest pitcher to do so, trailing only Randy Johnson, Max Scherzer, and Pedro Martinez.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts called the 3,000-strikeout milestone "the last box" in Kershaw’s Hall of Fame career, which already includes three Cy Young Awards, 10 All-Star selections, an MVP, five ERA titles, and two World Series championships. Kershaw now joins active pitchers Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in the 3,000-strikeout club.

The Dodgers’ longtime ace continues to build on a legacy defined by dominance, resilience, and loyalty to Los Angeles, further cementing his place among the game’s all-time greats.