Clayton Kershaw Joins Elite 3,000 Strikeout Club

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw etched his name further into baseball history, achieving his 3,000th career strikeout. The milestone occurred during a game against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw's historic strikeout came in the sixth inning, as he struck out White Sox batter Vinny Capra. This achievement places Kershaw among the most dominant pitchers ever to play the game. He's only the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball to reach the 3,000 strikeout plateau.

The journey to 3,000 strikeouts began years ago, with Kershaw's first career strikeout against Skip Schumaker of the St. Louis Cardinals. Schumaker reminisced on facing the young Kershaw, recalling the unexpected velocity and devastating curveball that left him bewildered.

The path to 3,000 was paved with strikeouts against Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa earlier in the game against the White Sox. Both batters fell victim to Kershaw's signature curveball.

Kershaw is the first pitcher since Max Scherzer to reach the 3,000 strikeout mark. Scherzer achieved the feat in 2021 while interestingly being Kershaw's teammate on the Dodgers.

A Look at the 3,000 Strikeout Club

Here is a listing of pitchers who have crossed the 3,000 strikeout threshold:

Nolan Ryan: 5,714
Randy Johnson: 4,875
Roger Clemens: 4,672
Steve Carlton: 4,136
Bert Blyleven: 3,701
Tom Seaver: 3,640
Don Sutton: 3,574
Gaylord Perry: 3,534
Walter Johnson: 3,515
Justin Verlander: 3,416
Max Scherzer: 3,407
Greg Maddux: 3,371
Phil Niekro: 3,342
Fergie Jenkins: 3,192
Pedro Martinez: 3,154
Bob Gibson: 3,117
Curt Schilling: 3,116
CC Sabathia: 3,093
John Smoltz: 3,084
Clayton Kershaw: 3,000