Clayton Kershaw's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Clayton Kershaw.

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

1953: Carl Erskine Strikeouts

In 1953, Carl Erskine had 14 strikeouts in a World Series game, the third most ever by a Dodgers pitcher, before Kershaw struck out 11 in 2017.

1963: Sandy Koufax Strikeouts

In 1963, Sandy Koufax had 15 strikeouts in a World Series game, a Dodger record Kershaw nearly approached in 2017.

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.

1995: Hideo Nomo's Dodgers Record

In 1995, Hideo Nomo set the record for the fastest to 200 strikeouts in Dodgers history at 156 innings, a mark Kershaw would tie in 2015.

2002: Randy Johnson's 300 Strikeout Season

In 2002, Randy Johnson became the last player before Kershaw in 2015 to strike out 300 batters in a season.

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.

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.

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: Warren Spahn and Cy Young Awards

In 2013, Kershaw won the Warren Spahn Award for the second time and the NL Cy Young Award for the second time in three seasons, becoming the sixth pitcher in history to finish in the top two in voting in three consecutive seasons.

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: Postseason loss and victory

In 2015, Kershaw had his fifth straight postseason loss in Game One of the National League Division Series and won in game four.

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.

2015: All-Star Game selection

In 2015, Kershaw was added to the All-Star Game roster as a replacement for Max Scherzer.

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: 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: World Series performance

In 2017, Kershaw won Game 1 of the World Series, striking out 11 against the Houston Astros. However, he struggled in Game 5, allowing six runs. He pitched four scoreless innings of relief in Game 7, but the Dodgers lost.

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.

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.

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.

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.