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's a ten-time All-Star, three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, the 2014 NL MVP, and a 2020 World Series champion. Kershaw is considered one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history due to his exceptional skill and numerous accolades.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1973: Comparison to Andy Messersmith's Record

On August 14, 2019, Kershaw struck out the first seven batters in the game, breaking a Dodger record previously held by Andy Messersmith since 1973. The event in 1973 itself is not described in the text.

1988: Dodgers' First World Series Championship Since 1988

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

2006: Kershaw's Elite High School Performance

In 2006, Clayton Kershaw established himself as an elite high school prospect, posting a 13–0 record with a 0.77 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 64 innings. He was also named "High School Baseball Player of the Year" by USA Today and Gatorade National Player of the Year for baseball.

2008: Comparison to Derek Lowe in 2008 NLDS

During the 2018 NLCS, Kershaw walked twice as a batter, becoming the third pitcher in the last 20 years to do so in a postseason game, after Derek Lowe did so in the 2008 NLDS.

2009: End of Playoff Start Streak

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 game of the playoffs for the Dodgers.

September 14, 2010: Kershaw's First Career Shutout

On September 14, 2010, Clayton Kershaw threw his first career complete game shutout against San Francisco.

2010: Lowest Win Total and Highest ERA Since 2010

In 2018, Kershaw's performance dipped, resulting in his lowest win total and highest ERA since 2010. The statistics for 2010 itself are not mentioned in the text.

2011: Kershaw Wins Multiple Awards

After the 2011 season, Clayton Kershaw received the Warren Spahn Award, Players Choice Award, Gold Glove Award, and Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year Award. He was also named the starting pitcher for the TSN NL All-Star Team and won the National League Cy Young Award.

2011: Kershaw Leads MLB in ERA

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw began his streak of leading MLB in ERA for four consecutive years.

2011: Kershaw Wins Pitching Triple Crown

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw led the NL in wins, strikeouts, and ERA, winning the NL pitching Triple Crown.

2011: Second Complete-Game Shutout

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw pitched the second complete-game shutout of his career, striking out 10 against the Florida Marlins. He also contributed with two singles and an RBI.

2011: Kershaw Selected to All-Star Game and Wins Pitcher of the Month

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw was selected to the National League team for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his first All-Star selection. He also earned the National League Pitcher of the Month Award for July.

2011: Kershaw Wins Pitching Triple Crown and Cy Young Award

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw won the pitching Triple Crown and the National League Cy Young Award, making him the youngest pitcher to achieve either feat since Dwight Gooden in 1985.

April 17, 2013: Kershaw reaches 1,000th career strikeout

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

June 18, 2014: Kershaw Pitches No-Hitter

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

2014: Kershaw's Fourth Consecutive ERA Lead

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw concluded his fourth consecutive year leading MLB in ERA.

2014: Kershaw Wins NL MVP

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw was named the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player, adding to his list of accomplishments.

2016: Comparison to Jon Lester in 2016 NLCS

During the 2018 NLCS, Kershaw walked twice as a batter, becoming the third pitcher in the last 20 years to do so in a postseason game, after Jon Lester did so in the 2016 NLCS.

2018: Opening Day Loss and Injury

In 2018, Clayton Kershaw made his eighth opening-day start, allowing one run in six innings against the Giants but lost the game 1-0. This marked his first opening-day loss. Later, on May 6, he was placed on the disabled list due to left biceps tendinitis and chronic back pain, limiting his appearances and affecting his performance, resulting in his lowest win total and highest ERA since 2010.

2018: Postseason Performance in 2018 NLDS and NLCS

In the 2018 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves, Hyun-jin Ryu started the first game instead of Kershaw, a first since 2009. Kershaw pitched eight scoreless innings in the second game. In the NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, he had a short start in Game 1 but performed better in Game 5.

2018: World Series Performance and Defeat

In the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, Kershaw started two games for the Dodgers. The Red Sox won the series 4-1, marking the Dodgers' second consecutive World Series defeat.

2019: Injury and All-Star Selection

In 2019, Clayton Kershaw experienced left shoulder inflammation during spring training, leading to placement on the injured list and ending his streak of opening-day starts. Despite the injury, he was selected to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, marking his eighth all-star appearance.

2019: 2019 Regular Season Performance

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

2019: Highest Innings Total Since 2019

Kershaw finished the 2023 regular season with 131+2⁄3 innings, his highest total since the 2019 season.

2020: Kershaw Wins World Series

In 2020, Clayton Kershaw won the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

2020: COVID-19 Shortened Season and World Series Championship

In the 2020 season shortened by the COVID-19 pandemic, Kershaw started 10 games with a 6-2 record and a 2.16 ERA. He started in the playoffs, contributing significantly to the Dodgers' first World Series championship since 1988, earning an All-MLB Second Team selection after the season.

2022: All-Star Game Start and Season Performance

In 2022, Kershaw started the Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium and had two stints on the injured list, finishing the season with a 12-3 record and a 2.28 ERA.

2023: All-Star Selection and Milestone Win

In 2023, Kershaw was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and achieved his 210th win, surpassing Don Drysdale. He finished the regular season with a 13-5 record and a 2.46 ERA.

2024: World Series Win and Surgery Plans

In 2024, the Dodgers won the World Series, and Kershaw, sidelined, planned to undergo surgery for a torn meniscus and foot issues. He declined the 2025 player option, becoming a free agent.