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 starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, having played his entire MLB career with the team since 2008. Renowned as one of baseball's greatest pitchers, Kershaw's accomplishments include ten All-Star selections, three National League Cy Young Awards, the 2014 NL MVP Award, and a World Series title in 2020. His consistent excellence and numerous accolades solidify his status as a legendary figure in the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Breaking Dodger Record

On August 14, 2019, Kershaw struck out the first seven batters in the game, breaking a Dodger record previously held by Andy Messersmith in 1973.

1988: Dodgers Win First World Series Since 1988

In 2020, Kershaw led the Dodgers to their first World Series championship since 1988 and also passed Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.

2008: Third Pitcher in 20 Years

During the 2018 NLCS, Kershaw walked twice as a batter, making him the third pitcher in the last 20 years after Jon Lester in the 2016 NLCS and Derek Lowe in the 2008 NLDS to achieve this in a postseason game.

2009: First Playoff Game Since 2009

In 2018, Dave Roberts chose Hyun-jin Ryu to pitch the Dodgers' first playoff game, marking the first time since 2009 that Kershaw did not start the first playoff game for the Dodgers.

2010: Lowest Win Total and Highest ERA Since 2010

In 2018, Clayton Kershaw's 9-5 record, 2.73 ERA, and 155 strikeouts marked his lowest win total and highest ERA since 2010, and the fewest strikeouts since his rookie season.

2011: Visit to Zambia and Hope's Home Initiative

In 2011, Kershaw and his wife visited Zambia, leading to his dream of building "Hope's Home" orphanage in Lusaka. He pledged $100 per strikeout in the 2011 season towards this goal.

January 10, 2012: Release of "Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself"

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

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

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2012: Kershaw finishes the season with impressive stats

In 2012, Clayton Kershaw concluded the season with a 14–9 record, a league-leading 2.53 ERA, 229 strikeouts, and 227+2⁄3 innings pitched, finishing second in both strikeouts and innings pitched. This marked his fourth consecutive season with a sub-3.00 ERA. He finished second for the NL Cy Young behind R. A. Dickey.

2012: Donation for Strikeouts

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

April 17, 2013: Kershaw reaches 1,000 career strikeouts

On April 17, 2013, Kershaw achieved his 1,000th career strikeout by striking out Yonder Alonso of the Padres, becoming the second youngest Dodger to reach this milestone, following Fernando Valenzuela.

2013: Postseason victory and strikeout record

In 2013, Kershaw struck out 12 batters in seven innings in the first game of the National League Division Series and tied an MLB postseason record with six straight strikeouts, earning his first career postseason victory.

2013: All-Star selection and Pitcher of the Month

In 2013, Kershaw was selected for his third consecutive All-Star Game. In July, he was awarded his second National League Pitcher of the Month after a 4–1 record and 1.34 ERA in six starts. He also recorded his fourth consecutive season with at least 200 strikeouts.

2013: Ping Pong 4 Purpose Charity Tournament

Since the 2013 season, 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.

2014: Fourth Straight Opening Day Start and No-Hitter

In 2014, Kershaw made his fourth straight opening day start for the Dodgers. On June 18, he pitched a complete game no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies with a career-high 15 strikeouts. He was selected to the National League squad at the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his fourth straight selection.

2015: "Kickstand Move"

During the 2015 National League Division Series, Kershaw's pitching motion was described as a "kickstand move."

2015: 1,500th Career Strikeout and 100th Career Win

In 2015, Kershaw made his fifth consecutive opening day start. He recorded his 1,500th career strikeout on May 10 against Drew Stubbs and picked up his 100th career win on May 15 against the Rockies. He also won his sixth career NL Player of the Week award for the week of June 1–7.

2016: Third Pitcher in 20 Years

2016: 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 had won six straight opening-day games, all of which he started. On May 12, he struck out 13 while pitching a three-hit complete-game shutout against the New York Mets.

2016: Season Stats

In 2016, Kershaw started 21 games with a 12–4 record, a 1.69 ERA, and 172 strikeouts with 11 walks in 149 innings pitched.

2016: Postseason Save and Loss

In 2016, Kershaw started games one and four of the National League Division Series and earned his first professional save since 2006 in the clinching game five. He struggled in Game Six of the National League Championship Series, taking the loss as the Dodgers were eliminated.

2017: Highest-Paid Players

In 2017, Clayton Kershaw and Matthew Stafford, both from the Highland Park High School class of 2006, were the highest-paid players in their respective leagues.

2018: Contract Extension

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

2018: Postseason Performance

In the 2018 NLDS, Kershaw started Game 2, pitching eight scoreless innings. In the NLCS, he had a short start in Game 1 but rebounded in Game 5 with seven innings and only one run allowed.

2018: World Series Appearances

In the 2018 World Series, Kershaw started two games for the Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox, where the Dodgers lost the series 4-1.

2019: 2019 Regular Season Stats

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

2019: All-Star Selection and Injury

In 2019, Kershaw was placed on the injured list to begin the season due to shoulder inflammation, ending his opening-day start streak, but he was selected to the MLB All-Star Game for the eighth time.

2019: Season since 2019

Kershaw finished the 2023 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.

2020: World Series Win

In 2020, Kershaw led the Dodgers to their first World Series championship since 1988 and also passed Justin Verlander for most strikeouts in postseason history.

2021: Injury and Season Performance

In 2021, Kershaw made his ninth opening day start but was later placed on the injured list with forearm inflammation, missing a significant part of the season and the postseason.

March 13, 2022: Signing a One-Year Deal

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

2022: All-Star Game Selection

In 2022, Kershaw was chosen to start the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, earning his ninth All-Star selection.

2022: NLDS Game 2

In the 2022 NLDS Game 2, Kershaw started against the San Diego Padres, allowing three runs in five innings, with the Dodgers eventually losing the series.

2023: Worst Postseason Start and Shoulder Surgery

In 2023, Kershaw had the worst postseason start of his career in Game 1 of the NLDS and underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason.

2023: Selected to 2023 MLB All-Star Game

In 2023, Kershaw was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the tenth time and before the All-Star break, he was placed on the injured list due to a sore left shoulder. On September 23, 2023 he picked up his 210th win, passing Don Drysdale for second most in franchise history.

February 9, 2024: Signing a New Contract

On February 9, 2024, Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $10 million contract with a player option for the 2025 season.

2024: Injury-Plagued Season

In 2024, Kershaw had an injury-plagued season, marked by career lows in starts, innings pitched, record, and ERA. He was placed on the injured list in August due to a bone spur, sidelining him for the remainder of the season.

2024: Surgery and Declining Player Option

In 2024, while sidelined, the Dodgers won the World Series. Afterward, Kershaw revealed upcoming surgeries and declined his 2025 player option, becoming a free agent.

February 13, 2025: Re-Signing with the Dodgers

On February 13, 2025, Kershaw re-signed with the Dodgers, marking his 18th season with the team and joining a select group of players with such longevity.

2025: Surgery and Declining Player Option

In 2024, while sidelined, the Dodgers won the World Series. Afterward, Kershaw revealed upcoming surgeries and declined his 2025 player option, becoming a free agent.