Clayton Kershaw's Success and Achievements in Timeline

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

Clayton Kershaw is a decorated MLB pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, known for his exceptional skill and longevity. A left-handed starting pitcher, he debuted in 2008 and has remained with the Dodgers throughout his career. Kershaw is a ten-time All-Star, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner, the 2014 NL MVP, and a 2020 World Series champion. Widely considered one of baseball's greatest pitchers, he has consistently demonstrated excellence throughout his career.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1910: ERA as official statistic

In 1910, ERA became an official statistic

1924: Dual Triple Crown Winners

In 1924, it was the first major-league season to feature Triple Crown-winning pitchers in both leagues.

1953: Carl Erskine's High Strikeout Game

In 1953, Carl Erskine recorded 14 strikeouts in a World Series game, a feat Kershaw approached in the 2017 World Series.

1963: Sandy Koufax's World Series Strikeout Record

Sandy Koufax set a Dodgers World Series strikeout record with 15 strikeouts in 1963, a mark that Kershaw approached in 2017.

1985: Dwight Gooden Cy Young Winner

In 1985, Dwight Gooden won Cy Young Award

1988: Dodgers Last World Series win

In 1988, the Dodgers won their first World Series championship, a feat they would not repeat until 2020.

1988: Tim Belcher Sets Postseason Strikeout Record

In the second game of the 1988 World Series, Tim Belcher set an MLB postseason record for consecutive strikeouts, a feat Kershaw later tied in 2013.

2000: Pedro Martinez's Historic ERA

In the 2000 season, Pedro Martínez recorded the lowest ERA in MLB, setting a high bar for pitchers like Kershaw.

2005: Roger Clemens Achieves Sub-2.00 ERA

In the 2005 season, Roger Clemens achieved a sub-2.00 ERA, a feat Kershaw later matched.

2006: High School Baseball Success

In 2006, Clayton Kershaw posted a 13–0 record with an ERA of 0.77 and 139 strikeouts in 64 innings, establishing himself as an elite high school prospect. He also pitched a perfect game with all strikeouts in a playoff game.

2007: Peavy Wins Triple Crown

In 2007, Jake Peavy won the Triple Crown

2010: Bonus Record

In 2010, Zach Lee broke Clayton Kershaw's record for the largest bonus conferred on any Dodgers draft pick.

2011: NL Pitching Triple Crown

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

2011: Awards and Honors in 2011

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw was awarded the Warren Spahn Award, Players Choice Award, Gold Glove Award, Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year, and was selected as the starting pitcher for the TSN NL All-Star Team.

2011: All-Star Selection and Pitcher of the Month

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw was selected to the National League team for the Major League Baseball All-Star Game and was named National League Pitcher of the Month for July.

2011: Led MLB in ERA

In 2011, Clayton Kershaw was the first major league pitcher to lead MLB in ERA in four consecutive years (2011-2014)

2011: Pitching Triple Crown and Cy Young Award

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

2012: Second in Cy Young Voting

In 2012, Clayton Kershaw finished the season with a 14–9 record, a 2.53 ERA, and 229 strikeouts, leading the league in ERA. He finished second in the NL Cy Young voting.

April 17, 2013: Kershaw Records 1,000th Career Strikeout

On April 17, 2013, Clayton Kershaw reached 1,000 career strikeouts by striking out Yonder Alonso of the Padres, becoming the second-youngest Dodger to achieve this milestone, following Fernando Valenzuela.

2013: Kershaw Strikes Out 12, Ties Postseason Record

During the first game of the 2013 National League Division Series, Clayton Kershaw struck out 12 batters in seven innings. He tied an MLB postseason record with six straight strikeouts, also securing his first career postseason victory.

2013: Kershaw Selected for All-Star Game and Wins Pitcher of the Month

In 2013, Clayton Kershaw was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the third straight year. Additionally, in July of 2013, he was awarded his second National League Pitcher of the Month Award after compiling a 4-1 record with a 1.34 ERA in six starts.

2013: Kershaw Wins Warren Spahn and Cy Young Awards

In 2013, Clayton Kershaw won the Warren Spahn Award for the second time, honoring the best left-handed pitcher in MLB. On November 13, 2013, he won the NL Cy Young Award for the second time in three seasons, becoming the sixth pitcher to finish in the top two in voting in three consecutive seasons.

June 18, 2014: Pitched a No-Hitter

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

2014: NL MVP Award

In 2014, Clayton Kershaw was named the National League Most Valuable Player.

2014: Kershaw Pitches No-Hitter and Receives Honors

In 2014, Kershaw made his fourth straight opening day start. On June 18, 2014, he pitched a complete game no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies, striking out a career-high 15 batters. He was also awarded his third career Pitcher of the Month award in June and selected to the National League All-Star team for the fourth straight year.

2015: Kershaw Reaches Milestones and Wins Player of the Week

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

2016: Kershaw's 2016 Season Statistics

In 2016, Kershaw started 21 games, achieving a 12-4 record with a 1.69 ERA, and struck out 172 batters in 149 innings pitched.

2020: World Series Win

In 2020, Clayton Kershaw started 10 games for the Dodgers and helped the team win their first World Series championship since 1988, defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games.