On July 2, 2025, with 2 outs in the 6th inning, Clayton Kershaw threw his 100th pitch and struck out Vinny Capra looking for his career 3,000 strikeout. Capra now joins Skip Schumaker, Yonder Alonso, and Jonathan Villar as Clayton Kershaw milestone strikeout victims.
I won’t lie, I was in tears after that strikeout. Clayton Kershaw has been my all-time favorite Dodger since he was the Dodgers 1st round draft pick in 2006, #7 overall. Friends often ask why Kershaw is my all-time favorite and not Koufax or Drysdale. Simple. I have been there for every pitch for Kershaw, and wasn’t for Koufax or Drysdale.
Kershaw now becomes the 20th MLB pitcher to record 3,000 K. He is the 4th LHP to do so. Kersh joins Steve Carlton, Randy Johnson, and CC Sabathia as LHP with 3,000 K.
He also becomes only the third pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts while playing their entire careers with the same team. The other two? Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cardinals), and Walter Johnson (Washington Senators).
Who might be the next pitcher to reach 3,000. Chris Sale is 36, and still striking out a batters. He has 2,528 K. Does he have another 472 in him? Gerrit Cole will be 35 when he pitches again at some point next season. He has 2,251.
Clayton Kershaw’s first career strikeout in was against Skip Schumaker, then with the St. Louis Cardinals. The strikeout occurred on May 25, 2008, during Kershaw’s debut game for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Kershaw, then a 20-year-old rookie, got Schumaker to swing and miss at a fastball.
Clayton Kershaw recorded his 1,000th career strikeout on April 17, 2013.
He achieved this milestone by striking out Yonder Alonso of the San Diego Padres. The strikeout occurred in the 2nd inning of a game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Kershaw was the second youngest Dodger pitcher to reach this mark, behind only Fernando Valenzuela.
Clayton Kershaw recorded his 2,000th career strikeout on June 2, 2017. This milestone occurred during a game against the Milwaukee Brewers. The batter who became his 2,000th strikeout victim was Jonathan Villar, who swung and missed in the second inning.
For me the game was secondary to Kershaw and his quest. He got through 6.0 innings and 100 pitches. He had 15 swings and misses, but only 2 on strike 3. The CWS batters were looking to make contact and not to be a strikeout victim. Kershaw gave the CWS hitters a lot of credit.
If this were any other game, Kershaw would not have come out in the 6th. He had 92 pitches and most were stressful. He admitted his slider was not very good. Doc admitted before the game that he was going to manage this game a bit differently. The crowd went crazy when Kersh ran back out to the mound for the 6th. He and the fans were rewarded.
But the game was not done. The Dodgers went into the bottom of the 9th on the wrong side of a 4-2 score, and the bottom of the order coming up. Michael Conforto hit a ground ball hard enough (95.1 MPH) to get through into RF. Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim each drew 4 pitch walks to load the bases, bringing up Shohei Ohtani. Ohtani hit a ground ball to 2B that was not hit hard enough for a DP and Ohtani beat the throw. Conforto scored on the play and Edman reached 3rd. With one out, on the first pitch Mookie saw, he hit a long fly ball to LF to plate Edman. During Will Smith’s AB, Ohtani stole 2nd to get into scoring position. Smith ended up drawing the walk, and a slumping Freddie Freeman came to the plate. On the 1st pitch Freddie saw, he lined a single into RF that easily scored Ohtani, and Freddie had another walkoff win.
FREDDIE FREEMAN WALK-OFF 💥
CLAYTON KERSHAW'S 3,000TH STRIKEOUT 🔥
WHAT AN EPIC GAME IN LOS ANGELES 🤯 pic.twitter.com/CJyp1sYCbB— MLB (@MLB) July 3, 2025
Not everything was coming up roses for the Dodgers. In the same 6th inning, Michael Taylor attempted a steal of 3B, and as he was tagged out, his head came up and hit Max Muncy’s knee. Max was in clear pain, and had to be helped off the field. He will go in for an MRI on Thursday and we will learn more after that. No reason to speculate the severity of the injury.
A closer look at the Max Muncy injury
I'm gutted
Really hoping for a miracle diagnosis being not as severe as it looks pic.twitter.com/JnMeKWMVse
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) July 3, 2025
With the win, the Dodgers increased their lead over San Diego in the NL West to 8.5 games. San Francisco remains 9.0 GB.
Kershaw 3,000 K
The moment Clayton Kershaw got his 3,000th strikeout 👏
(via @MLB, @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/ks9NRnnUTI
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 3, 2025
Kershaw curtain call
The illustrious career of Clayton Kershaw keeps on getting better 👏
(MLB x @NewYorkLife) pic.twitter.com/PSpaNoZaJh
— MLB (@MLB) July 3, 2025
Kershaw family
The Kershaw family's reaction to Clayton reaching 3,000 career strikeouts. 😭 pic.twitter.com/OPhE9Gt2s0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 3, 2025
Here is a pictorial from the LA Times on Kershaw 3,000 K journey.
https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2025-07-02/photos-kershaws-road-to-3000
Very happy for Kersh. I too had tears in my eyes when he got that 3000th K.
To then have his teammates walk it off was icing on the cake on this unforgettable game.
However The injury by Max put some cold water on it. I do not want to speculate but I tore my ACL on a soccer field in almost the exact way. Opponent player hit my knee with his knee from the side and mine , just as Max knee, bent outwards.
I hope for the best for Max but I will not be surprised if he has a torn ACL which would end his season.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Very likely
LOL
The 6th inning was a super wave of emotions. We all expected, at near 90 pitches, yet 1 k away, that he’d be back out. We also saw guys stretching in the bullpen but nobody really getting warmed up just yet.
The crowd stood and gave Kersh a gigantic ovation when he came out for the 6th. 5 min later the crowd was silent and stunned when Muncy went down and was down for a while.
Then we all had to ramp back up, but it was a perfect ending otherwise. It was really really loud and loud for a while after he ended the 6th with K # 3000. The ovation was long and the video tributes were great.
I was at the Laker game 2 years ago where Lebron broke Kareem’s record. That was amazing, and that was history as he broke an all time record. But Lebron isn’t a lifetime Laker. The Kershaw crowd last night was more appreciative, as Kersh has been a Dodger forever (like a Magic or Kobe breaking some record). Super amazing to be there.
Really really hope Max is ok, as he’s been our MVP since he got his glasses. Let’s see what the MRI says, but even best case scenario he’ll be out a few weeks with a knee sprain. I’m all for letting Alex Freeland get his feet wet in the month of July to see if we have something here, or if we need to go get somebody here.
Doubtful they give Freeland that shot Bobby. A. He has been slumping and is down to .269. He was 1-6 last night. B. He has played all of 17 games there as a minor leaguer, and just 14 while in college. And his defense there has not been that great. Kike and Rojas better there defensively than Freeland. They might trade for a third baseman if Max is going to be out for a while. Senzel has MLB experience as a third baseman in a pinch if they need him.
I don’t get emotional very often, but last night I did. It was an amazing moment. But at the time, I wasn’t sure Kersh was going to get it done. The ump had squeezed him on several calls, and the Sox hitters were trying their best to not be the one who got him to 3000. I almost shut the game off after that because I was seeing so many empty at bats. But I decided to watch the entire game. Another come from behind win. LA has far more than any other team in the majors. I would love to see a few less of those and some pole-to-pole wins. Klein did a good job in the 9th. Dude throws heat. I watched the end of the Comets game against Las Vegas. Comets blew a 7-0 lead and almost lost the game in regulation. But a 7-run 10th inning got them a win. All of those runs were scored with 2 outs. Ruiz was the ghost runner on 2nd. He scored the first run on a bunt hit by Dean with 2 outs. They loaded the bases, and Freeland got his only hit of the night, a 2-strike single to left to score 2. Ward followed with his 21st homer of the year for the final score.
Alex Freeland hit:
Speaking of the HPU squeezing Kersch, Steven Nelson mentioned a few times how the veteran, future HOF’er wasn’t getting any preferential treatment especially with a rookie hitter. I’m seeing the same thing, way more, this season.
It might be my imagination but I think it’s a product of MLB trying to clean up the strike zone, which means shrinking it in anticipation of the ABS Challenge System going in, in 2026.
A strike is a strike or a ball is a ball regardless of who through it.
Klein has some nice stuff, and I love the red beard. Hell, bring JT back!!
Yes, that Klein guy was throwing gas. 99 mph regularly and his curve ball looked not so bad too.
Still only 25 years old.
Henriquez went 1.2 IP scoreless last night at OKC as the opener. He will be up shortly IMHO.
If Max is out the Dodgers probably will make a trade for a 3b. Kike and Rojas are not the answer over a longer stretch.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Henriquez was touching 102 in that game. Yes, he should be promoted soon.
Edman, a switch-hitter, could take the fat side of a platoon at 3B. This would enable Kim to play 2B full-time.
Would be a good idea, but JT can’t play 3rd every day. He is hitting just .210 with the Cubs with a single homer.
JT’s time has come and gone. The Dodgers have to have the MRI to know what to do (thank you Captain Obvious). But if it is as bad as some are posturing, then I say brink up Alex Freeland and give him a shot to see if they are going to need a 3B for 2026. With Kiké and Miggy Ro, they have coverage for 3B in the short term or the rest of the year if needed. But without giving Freeland a shot, how will they know about 2026. Then again, will Baltimore trade Jordan Westburg?
Great article Jeff. My favorite player is also Kershaw and great to see him hit another milestone. He is clearly the best Dodger of all time to me. It was interesting that he is only the third player to hit 3,000 strikeouts all with the same team. The others were Walter Johnson and Bob Gibson. Those two were also the first to reach the 3,000 K plateau overall.
Kershaw is a special player and person, who has given his entire career to the Dodgers. He has often sacrificed money and health to make the franchise better. He pitched on 3 days rest in the playoffs when others like Scherzer would not take the ball on regular rest. He pitched late into playoff games to make up for weaker bullpens. He even takes the ball now to eat innings while other higher paid players rest up for the playoffs.
The strikeout milestone is nice, but not nearly as important a statistic as his era, whip and winning record. Strikeouts are so common in today’s game. I was surprised that Gibson was only the second one to reach this level in the mid 1970’s. Kershaw reached 3,000 strikeouts in 2,787 IP while the great Bob Gibson had 3,117 strikeouts in 3,881 innings. And HOFer Jim Palmer struckout only 2,212 in 3,948 innings. Palmer was a great pitcher with a career 2.68 era and 268 wins, but was effective without high strikeouts.
Congrats to Clayton for 3000K’s, but he is so much more than just that statistic.
Nice post. Absolutely agree on everything you said about CK.
A first ballot unanimous HOF player, teammate and human being.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
another win for launch angle emphasis, and dodger hitting development
Launch angle emphasis works for some. Not everyone.
Walks will kill you. Thank you Grant Taylor for tripping over the gas can in the 9th setting up yet another comeback win for the Dodgers.
I’m so glad Freddie got the winning knock. I was thinking after his single in the 6th, how hard he is on himself lately, and it shows. Nothing satisfies him and the joy in his game is suffering. He was mouthing “bad” to himself after his ground ball single, obviously dissatisfied with his swing. His greatness is a product of the high standards he’s set for himself but at what point is that counterproductive? I think he really needed that hit.
Of course Doc will get well deserved credit for sticking with Kersch. Getting the record at home in that environment after Muncy went down was so important for him and his family.
Congratulations Big-Dog.
I hope Max’s MRI goes better than anticipated. That did not look good.
Heading into the bottom of the 9th, down by two runs, I just figured that these Dodgers would pull out a win.
Certainly it helped that they were playing the woeful White Sox.
Conforto, despite a BA of about .170, got it started with that seeing-eye single. Then came the gift walks–and so it was up to the Big Three, each capable of ending the game with a single swing.
Well, make that the Big Four, including all-star catcher Will Smith.
Instead they chipped away, each delivering an RBI.
Shohei, the slugger. used his speed to avert a double play and bring in the first run.
Mookie, who has been scuffling with the bat, proved clutch (again) with the sac fly to the warning track to tie the score.
Then Smith, who had homered earlier, drew a walk after Shohei used his speed to steal second.
And then Freddie delivered another walk-off.
Beautiful come-from-behind ending to Kershaw’s milestone night. The proverbial cherry on top….
That video of Max’s injury is painful to watch and has me worried that he could be out for the season. If so, the good news is that it’s perfect timing to take advantage of the trade market.
Elevating Freeland is an option, but the Dodgers have so much versatility that I’d prefer to see Outman get another shot. Nobody in OKC has played better than Outman. Kike, Rojas, Edman, Kim–all are capable of playing 3B.
Glasnow starting for OKC tonight.
Verdugo DFA’d by the Braves.
Well maybe it is the cynic in me, but it sure looks as if the Dodgers have completely abandoned the idea of James Outman getting back on the 26 man. Ruiz is not a good defensive OF. He has the one tool, the Dodgers do not seem to push…SB. I understand not calling up Freeland until the Dodgers know for sure how long Max will be out. Ruiz is hot right now, but so is Outman. Plus, Outman can be a late inning defensive replacement. Ruiz is a pinch runner.
Ruiz was already on the 40, no?
Yesterday (or the day before) there was a mention of Nastrini. Another high-upside arm taken in that crazy COVID draft of 2021.
Also taken in that draft, and like everyone else a real thrower, was Peter Heubeck.
He had a ROUGH start of the season, but he’s putting in some notable efforts. Like last night when the 22YO went 7 innings, two hits, one run. His ERA is 2.31 since June started.
He’s been ranked in the 20s on some lists.
Yes Ruiz is on the 40 man. I discussed at the time of the draft that I was higher on Heubeck than Bruns, and that got a lot of pushback.
I had a write up on the MiLB for last night, but I wanted Clayton to stand alone for today’s post.
He deserves it. What a privilege it has been to have someone like Kersh on your favorite team. So sweet to see Ellen and the kids celebrate his accomplishment.
Got to be a tough day for Outman. Dodgers have to trade him and give him a shot with another team.
I’m disappointed about Outman.
How’s this for crazy?
Trade Doncik back to Dallas for Flag and Irving.
If they had wanted Luka they wouldn’t have traded him to the Lakers in the first place, so yes, that’s crazy.
Here are some more X.com pictures/videos on the event:
CWS Broadcaster Call of Kershaw 3,000 K
Tim Neverett Call of Kershaw of 3,000 K
Picture of Kershaw Family
Active Strikeout Leaders
And this from the great Sarah Langs
Clayton’s Family
Not on Clayton’s 3,000, but this was a cool slide from the CWS rookie SS, Chase Meidroth, who the Sox got from Boston in the Crochet trade.