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 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

1963: Sandy Koufax's World Series Record

In 1963, Sandy Koufax set a Dodgers record with 15 strikeouts in a World Series game, the most ever by a Dodgers pitcher in a World Series game.

1968: Bob Gibson's NL MVP Award

In 1968, Bob Gibson was the last National League pitcher to win the MVP award before Kershaw in 2014.

1973: Andy Messersmith's Dodger Record

In 1973, Andy Messersmith set a Dodgers record that Kershaw later broke by striking out the first seven batters in a game.

1988: Kirk Gibson's Dodgers MVP Award

In 1988, Kirk Gibson was the last Dodgers player to win the MVP award before Kershaw in 2014.

1988: Dodgers Win World Series

In 2020, the Dodgers won their first World Series championship since 1988.

1988: Tim Belcher's Postseason Strikeout Record

In the second game of the 1988 World Series, Tim Belcher set an MLB postseason record with six straight strikeouts, which Kershaw later tied.

1995: Hideo Nomo's 200-Strikeout Season

In 1995, Hideo Nomo had his fastest 200-strikeout season in Dodgers history at 156 innings.

2006: High School Baseball Success

In 2006, while at Highland Park High School, Clayton Kershaw posted a 13-0 record with a 0.77 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 64 innings, solidifying himself as an elite prospect. He was also named USA Today's "High School Baseball Player of the Year".

2010: Cliff Lee's Walk Total

In the 2010 season, Cliff Lee had seven walks when reaching 100 strikeouts.

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.

2013: Kershaw's 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.