Clayton Kershaw Joins 3,000 Strikeout Club: Where Does He Rank Among MLB Legends?

By Oliver Wiener July 04, 2025 06:58

Clayton Kershaw's entry into the exclusive 3,000 strikeout club on July 2, 2025, cements his legacy as one of Major League Baseball's all-time great pitchers. Becoming only the 20th pitcher in history and just the fourth left-hander to reach this milestone, Kershaw achieved the feat in a gritty, hard-fought performance against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium, the only home he's ever known in his 18-year career.

The journey to 3,000 strikeouts was anything but smooth that night. Despite facing a struggling White Sox lineup, Kershaw labored through 100 pitches, often getting ahead in counts but struggling to close out batters. His milestone strikeout came on a slider that froze Vinny Capra looking, marking a moment of quiet triumph amid a challenging outing where the Dodgers trailed and dealt with a serious injury to teammate Max Muncy. Reflecting on the moment, Kershaw modestly admitted, "I made it take too long... Honestly, didn't pitch that great tonight, and the slider was so bad. But this was such a special moment".

Statistically, Kershaw's achievement stands out not just for the milestone but for the quality of his career performance. Among the 3,000-strikeout club, which includes legends like Nolan Ryan (5,714 strikeouts) and Randy Johnson (4,875), Kershaw boasts the lowest ERA+ at 155, indicating his dominance relative to his era. He also holds the highest winning percentage (.697) among the group and ranks near the top in average game score and quality start percentage, underscoring his consistency and excellence. Remarkably, he reached 3,000 strikeouts with the Los Angeles Dodgers alone, joining only Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson as pitchers who have achieved this feat without changing teams.

Kershaw's style marked by a devastating slider and pinpoint control has allowed him to maintain elite strikeout rates (27.3%) while minimizing walks, a rare combination in the modern game. His career innings pitched (2,787.1) are fewer than many in the club, reflecting both his efficiency and the evolving nature of pitcher usage in today's MLB. Yet, despite fewer innings, his impact remains profound, as evidenced by his Cy Young Awards, MVP honors, and multiple World Series appearances.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Kershaw's resilience, noting that even when the game was tough, Kershaw "never gave up and kept fighting for every out." Fans at Dodger Stadium gave Kershaw a standing ovation, a testament to his enduring bond with the city and the franchise.

Where does Kershaw rank among MLB legends? While rankings can be subjective, his combination of longevity, peak dominance, and loyalty to one franchise places him in elite company. As ESPN notes, Kershaw's advanced metrics and winning percentage put him alongside Hall of Famers, even if his career bWAR (77.1) ranks him 16th in the club. His milestone is not just a personal triumph but a reflection of an era where strikeouts have become a defining measure of pitching greatness.

Clayton Kershaw's induction into the 3,000 strikeout club is a milestone that encapsulates his career: masterful, resilient, and historic. As he continues to pitch, Dodgers fans and baseball historians alike will watch eagerly to see how much higher he can climb among the pantheon of MLB legends.