Kershaw joins exclusive club with 3,000th strikeout; pitching milestone may only become more elusive

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) tips his hat to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strikeout Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. Photo by: Kevork Djansezian / AP

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Clayton Kershaw, the left-handed ace of the Los Angeles Dodgers, struck out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox to cement his place in history, joining the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club. Moreover, he did it with one team, a feat only achieved by two other pitchers.
Kershaw stands as one of the premier pitchers of his generation, and his journey toward the exclusive 3,000 club exemplifies the rare combination of talent, consistency and durability required to achieve baseball immortality. Over an illustrious 18-year career, Kershaw has earned three Cy Young Awards and was named National League MVP in 2014 — a rare achievement for a pitcher[1][2].

The dominance of a generation
Kershaw’s reputation was forged during his dominant peak from 2010 to 2015, when he led the league in earned run average five times, strikeouts three times, and wins twice[1][2]. Even as his velocity has declined with age and injuries, Kershaw continues to be a key contributor to the Dodgers, exemplifying longevity and adaptability at the highest level of Major League Baseball[1][2].

The significance of 3,000 strikeouts
The significance of 3,000 strikeouts in Major League Baseball cannot be overstated. The 3,000 club represents an exclusive group, with only 19 pitchers in history having reached this milestone before Kershaw[4][2]. Achieving 3,000 strikeouts is considered a near-guarantee of eventual induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, reflecting both exceptional skill and sustained excellence over a long career[4][2].
He is the 20th pitcher in MLB history — and only the third active pitcher, alongside Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer — to do so[2]. This milestone is seen as a testament to a pitcher’s dominance, durability and ability to consistently retire batters at the highest level. The achievement is particularly notable in the modern era, as pitchers are throwing fewer innings and facing more challenges to longevity than in previous generations[2].

Consistency at a high level
Kershaw’s consistency is central to his place in the 3,000-strikeout club, a feat that requires not only elite skill but also sustained excellence and durability over many seasons. Kershaw has demonstrated this by making at least 20 starts in nearly every season from 2008 to 2023 (with only one exception), even as he has faced injuries and adapted his pitching style with age[5][6].
This adaptability, combined with his unwavering work ethic and preparation, has allowed him to continue striking out batters at an elite rate, even after periods of injury or reduced velocity[7][6]. His consistency is further highlighted by his ability to perform in both dominant, healthy seasons and during years when he has had to manage injuries or pitch with diminished stuff[6].

Key career highlights

• Accolades: Three-time Cy Young Award winner, 2014 National League MVP, 10-time All-Star, Gold Glove winner and 2020 World Series champion[14].
• Statistical excellence: Kershaw has a career record of 216 wins and 94 losses, an ERA of 2.52, and 3,000 strikeouts. His career ERA is the lowest among starters in the live-ball era (minimum 1,000 innings pitched)[14][16].
• Historic achievements: He won the pitching Triple Crown and Cy Young Award in 2011, led MLB in ERA for four consecutive years (2011-2014), and pitched a no-hitter in 2014[16].

Who else is active and could reach 3,000?

• Chris Sale: If he stays healthy, Sale could reach 3,000 by 2027, but his injury history makes this uncertain. He was transferred to the 60-day IL for this season Wednesday and will be out until at least late August. He would need to average about 235 strikeouts per season for two more years, which is challenging but not impossible for the 36-year-old if he returns to form[3].
• Gerrit Cole: At 34 and still performing at a high level, Cole is the most likely among active pitchers to eventually reach 3,000 strikeouts. If he maintains his current pace and health, he could reach the milestone in the next 3-4 seasons[3][11].

Why few are likely to reach milestone in future

• Shorter pitcher careers: Average MLB pitcher career length is now under three years, and for those who debuted since 2020, the average is just over three years. This is a dramatic drop from previous decades, when pitchers often lasted 7-10 years or more. Injuries are a major factor: The rise in arm injuries, especially Tommy John surgeries, has shortened careers. Many pitchers break down within 3-5 years due to the physical demands and emphasis on velocity[17].
• Fewer innings and opportunities: Pitchers throw fewer innings per season than ever before. The percentage of innings pitched by starters has steadily declined for over a century, with a sharp drop in recent years. In 2014, starters pitched 66.5% of innings; by 2022, it was just 58.7%. Teams use larger bullpens and limit starter workloads to protect arms, further reducing the number of batters faced and, therefore, strikeout opportunities[18].
• High strikeout totals require longevity and health: To reach 3,000 strikeouts, a pitcher typically needs to average 200-plus per season for 15 years or more, or maintain a high level for even longer with slightly lower annual totals. Very few pitchers remain healthy and effective for that long. Even among current stars, only a handful are on pace, and most fall short due to missed time or declining performance with age[19].
• Modern game trends: Emphasis on velocity and advanced pitches increases injury risk, leading to more time lost and shorter careers. Analytics-driven management means earlier hooks for starters and more reliance on relievers, further limiting the chance to accumulate high strikeout totals[18].

Sources
[1] https://sports.yahoo.com/article/clayton-kershaw-3-000-strikeouts-192334863.html
[2] https://apnews.com/article/clayton-kershaw-dodgers-3000-strikeouts-a813bf6c965a0fddb5ad14f6fb738f08
[3] https://www.marca.com/en/mlb/atlanta-braves/2025/07/03/6866bb8dca4741880d8b4583.html
[4]. https://baseballhall.org/discover/bob-gibson-throws-3000th-strikeout
[5] https://motorcyclesports.net/clayton-kershaw-s-quest-for-3-000-strikeouts-at-dodger-stadium-could-redefine-his-legendary-career/
[6] https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-07-01/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-3000-career-strikeouts
[7] https://sports.yahoo.com/article/clayton-kershaw-moves-three-strikeouts-214253940.html
[8] https://motociclismo.pt/en/clayton-kershaw-inches-closer-to-3-000-strikeouts-crafting-a-legacy-that-echoes-through-baseball-s-history/
[10] https://www.si.com/mlb/paul-skenes-rise-of-pitching-velocity-baseball-ultimate-barrier-digital-cover
[11] https://www.mlb.com/news/3-000-strikeout-club-c303580736
[12] https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_active.shtml
[13] https://fansided.com/mlb/every-mlb-pitcher-with-3-000-strikeouts-clayton-kershaw-nearing-rarefied-air
[14] https://www.statmuse.com/mlb/player/clayton-kershaw-31286
[16] https://www.mlb.com/news/clayton-kershaw-200-career-wins-stats
[17] https://deadspin.com/mlb-pitchers-nfl-running-backs-career-tommy-john-1851320219/
[18] https://www.si.com/mlb/diamondbacks/analysis/starters-workload-stop-blaming-analytics-for-122-year-trend