Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Clayton Kershaw

Discover the career path of Clayton Kershaw, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Clayton Kershaw is a highly decorated left-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, having played his entire MLB career with the team since 2008. He is an 11-time All-Star, three-time National League Cy Young Award winner, the 2014 NL MVP, and a 2020 World Series champion. Kershaw is a member of the 3,000 strikeout club, being one of only four left-handed pitchers to achieve this feat. Widely considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, his career is marked by consistent excellence and numerous accolades.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2006: Professional Debut with GCL Dodgers

In 2006, Clayton Kershaw began his professional career with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Dodgers, pitching 37 innings with a 1.95 ERA and 54 strikeouts.

2006: Kershaw's Save with Gulf Coast Dodgers

In 2006, Kershaw recorded his first professional save while playing with the Gulf Coast Dodgers in his first minor league season.

2006: Drafted by the Dodgers

In 2006, Kershaw was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the seventh overall pick in the MLB draft.

2006: Dodgers Select Kershaw in Draft

In 2006, The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Kershaw with the seventh overall pick in the MLB draft. He signed with the Dodgers, with a bonus estimated at $2.3 million.

2007: Promotion to Great Lakes Loons

In 2007, Kershaw was promoted to the Great Lakes Loons, where he recorded a 7-5 record with a 2.77 ERA and was selected for the Midwest League All-Star Game.

2007: Roger Clemens's Contract

In 2007, Roger Clemens received a $28 million contract, which was surpassed by Kershaw's contract in 2014.

May 24, 2008: Called up to the Majors

On May 24, 2008, Clayton Kershaw was called up to the majors, but was later optioned back to Jacksonville on July 2.

May 24, 2008: Dodgers Buy Kershaw's Contract

On May 24, 2008, the Dodgers bought Clayton Kershaw's minor-league contract, adding him to the active roster.

2008: Top Prospect

In 2008, Kershaw was selected as the top prospect in the Dodgers organization heading into the season.

April 15, 2009: Near No-Hitter Against Giants

On April 15, 2009, Kershaw pitched seven innings, striking out 13 and allowing only one hit against the San Francisco Giants.

2010: Named Opening Day Starter

After a strong finish to the 2010 season, Clayton Kershaw was named the Dodgers' Opening Day Starter for the 2011 season.

2011: Wins NL pitching Triple Crown

Clayton Kershaw finished the 2011 season by leading the NL with 21 wins, 248 strikeouts, and a 2.28 ERA, winning the NL pitching Triple Crown.

2011: Kershaw's Challenge Begins

In 2011, after a mission trip to Zambia with his wife, Clayton Kershaw launched "Kershaw's Challenge" and pledged $100 per strikeout to build an orphanage called "Hope's Home" in Lusaka. He surpassed his initial goal, raising over $70,000, and donated $260,000 to Hope's Home after winning the 2011 Players Choice Award.

2011: Complete-Game Shutout Against Marlins

On May 29, 2011, Kershaw pitched a complete-game shutout against the Florida Marlins, striking out 10 while also contributing offensively with two singles, an RBI, and two runs scored.

January 10, 2012: Book Release: Arise

On January 10, 2012, Clayton Kershaw and his wife, Ellen, released their co-authored book, "Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself", which discusses their Christian faith and humanitarian efforts. It was published by Regal Press.

Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself

Check it on Amazon

February 7, 2012: Kershaw signs contract with Dodgers

On February 7, 2012, Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed on a two-year, $19 million contract.

2012: "Strike Out To Serve" Campaign

In 2012, Clayton Kershaw and his wife returned to Zambia. Kershaw donated $100 for every strikeout in the 2012 season to Kershaw's Challenge, calling that season's incarnation of the project "Strike Out To Serve." Seventy percent of the money raised in 2012 went to Arise Africa, with 10 percent each going to the Peacock Foundation in Los Angeles, Mercy Street in Dallas, and I Am Second.

2013: Inaugural Ping Pong 4 Purpose Tournament

Beginning in 2013, Clayton Kershaw and his wife have hosted “Ping Pong 4 Purpose,” a charity ping-pong tournament at Dodger Stadium to raise money for Kershaw's Challenge, featuring Dodgers members, celebrities, and team sponsors.

2013: Kershaw's Opening Day Performance

In the 2013 season, Kershaw made his third straight opening day start for the Dodgers, pitching a complete game, four-hit, 4-0 shutout over the Giants, scoring the first run with a solo home run.

June 18, 2014: Kershaw Pitches No-Hitter

On June 18, 2014, Clayton Kershaw pitched a no-hitter, becoming the 22nd Dodger to achieve this milestone.

2014: Partnership with CURE International

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw continued supporting the children of Zambia in partnership with CURE International, raising funds to pay for 170 children's surgeries and provide new medical equipment for CURE hospital in Lusaka.

2014: Kershaw's Fourth Straight Opening Day Start

In 2014, Kershaw made his fourth straight opening day start for the Dodgers, which took place at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia.

December 2015: MLB Expedition to Cuba

In December 2015, Clayton Kershaw participated in an MLB expedition to Cuba with other players and officials, including former Dodgers manager Joe Torre, marking the first visit by MLB since 1999 and a step toward normalizing relations with the United States.

2015: Kickstand move

During the 2015 National League Division Series Kershaw was described as having a “kickstand move,” drawing a comparison with one setting a kickstand on a bicycle.

2015: Supporting CURE in the Dominican Republic

In 2015, Clayton Kershaw partnered with CURE International to fund 100 surgeries for CURE's hospital in the Dominican Republic.

2015: Kershaw's Fifth Consecutive Opening Day Start

In 2015, Kershaw made his fifth consecutive opening day start for the Dodgers.

2016: Kershaw's Sixth Straight Opening Day Start

In 2016, Kershaw made his sixth straight opening day start as the Dodgers won 15-0, marking the first time the Dodgers won six straight opening-day games, all of which he started.

2017: Highest Paid Players in Their Leagues

In 2017, Matthew Stafford and Clayton Kershaw were the highest-paid players in their respective leagues.

2018: Kershaw's New Contract

After the 2018 season, Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed to a new three-year, $93 million contract, extending his previous contract by one year and $28 million.

2018: Kershaw's Eighth Opening Day Start

In 2018, Kershaw made his team-record eighth opening-day start, losing the game 1-0.

2019: Highest Innings Since 2019 Season

In 2019 Clayton Kershaw finished the regular season with a 13–5 record, 2.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 131+2⁄3 innings, his highest total since the 2019 season.

2019: Kershaw's 2019 Regular Season

In the 2019 regular season, Kershaw had a record of 16-5 with a 3.03 ERA with 189 strikeouts and led the major leagues with 15 sacrifice hits.

2020: Kershaw's 2020 Season

In 2020, Clayton Kershaw was initially scheduled to start on opening day but suffered a back injury, leading to rookie Dustin May taking the nod. On August 20, 2020, he surpassed Don Drysdale for second-most strikeouts in franchise history. He finished the season with a 6-2 record, a 2.16 ERA, and 62 strikeouts in 10 games. In the postseason, he helped the Dodgers win their first World Series since 1988 and was named to the All-MLB Second Team.

2021: Injury and Post-Season Exclusion

In 2021, Clayton Kershaw made his ninth opening day start for the Dodgers and remained in the rotation until July 7, when he went on the injured list due to left forearm inflammation. After setbacks in rehab, he rejoined the rotation on September 13, but more arm pain on October 1 led to him being placed back on the injured list and ruled out for the 2021 post-season. He finished the season with a 10–8 record and a 3.55 ERA in 22 starts.

March 13, 2022: Kershaw Signs One-Year Deal

On March 13, 2022, Clayton Kershaw signed a one-year deal worth $17 million to return to the Dodgers.

2023: Withdrawal from World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Clayton Kershaw committed to pitch for the United States in the 2023 World Baseball Classic but withdrew in February due to insurance concerns related to potential injury.

2023: Shoulder Surgery

In 2023, Clayton Kershaw had the worst start of his career in Game 1 of the NLDS, allowing six runs and recording one out. The Dodgers were swept. On November 3, 2023, he underwent surgery on his left shoulder to repair the glenohumeral ligaments and capsule.

February 9, 2024: Kershaw Re-Signs with Dodgers

On February 9, 2024, despite being sidelined due to recovery from surgery, Clayton Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $10 million contract with a player option for the 2025 season.

2024: Injury-Shortened Season

In 2024, Clayton Kershaw had an injury-shortened season, making only seven starts. On August 31, 2024, he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a bone spur in his left big toe. He finished the season with a 2–2 record and a 4.50 ERA, career lows in several categories.

February 13, 2025: Re-Signs with Dodgers for 18th Season

On February 13, 2025, Clayton Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $7.5 million contract, that also included roster and game-started bonuses. This marked his 18th season with the Dodgers, matching the longest tenure in franchise history, and made him the 59th player in MLB history to spend 18 seasons with one team.

September 18, 2025: Kershaw Announces Retirement

On September 18, 2025, Clayton Kershaw announced his retirement at the end of the season. His final MLB start was on September 28, 2025, against the Seattle Mariners, where he pitched 5+1⁄3 scoreless innings and struck out seven, ending his career with 3,052 strikeouts. He finished his last season with an 11–2 record, a 3.36 ERA, and 84 strikeouts in 23 games.

2025: Declined Player Option

In 2025, the Dodgers won the World Series against the New York Yankees. After the season, Kershaw revealed that he would undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee as well as for a ruptured plantar plate and bone spurs in his left big toe. On November 4, 2025, he declined the 2025 player option on his contract, making him a free agent.