On a warm July night at Dodger Stadium, Clayton Kershaw made baseball history in front of a packed crowd. The veteran left-hander became just the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach 3,000 strikeouts, a feat he achieved by striking out three Chicago White Sox batters.
The moment was a huge deal for Kershaw, Dodgers fans, and baseball itself. It showed how hard work and loyalty pay off, and why Kershaw is considered one of the greatest pitchers of his generation. As fans celebrated, the big question was, what comes next for the Dodgers’ longtime ace?
Will Clayton Kershaw End His Baseball Career With the Dodgers?
Clayton Kershaw has spent his entire career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and now he is one of only three pitchers ever to record 3,000 strikeouts for a single team. The others are Walter Johnson with the Washington Senators and Bob Gibson with the St. Louis Cardinals. Joining this exclusive club is a rare honor, and it shows how special Kershaw’s connection with the Dodgers truly is.
Kershaw, now 37, is on a one-year contract with the team. He signed this deal after having surgery on his shoulder during the offseason. While he has not officially announced his retirement, many believe this could be his final season.
In a heartfelt interview after the game, Kershaw talked about what it means to have played for only one team. He said, “You know, I don’t know if I put a ton of stock in being with one team early on. It just kind of happened.”
Clayton Kershaw reaffirms that he’ll finish his career with the Dodgers:
“The Dodgers have stuck with me. it hasn’t been all roses. I’m super grateful now. To say that I got to spend my whole career here, and I will spend my whole career here. I have a lot more appreciation.” pic.twitter.com/tjXLgmrd85
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) July 3, 2025
Kershaw made it clear that if he does retire, it will be as a Dodger. He talked about how his appreciation for the team and the fans has grown over time. “Over time, as you get older, you start to appreciate one organization a little bit more. And the Dodgers stuck with me, too. It hasn’t all been roses. I know that,” he said.
“There’s a lot of mutual respect and I’m super grateful now. Looking back, to say I spent my whole career here and will spend my whole career here. I have a lot more appreciation for it now, for sure.”
For Kershaw, the journey has not always been easy. Over 18 seasons, he has faced injuries, tough losses in the playoffs, and questions about whether he could stay healthy as a starting pitcher. Despite these challenges, Dodgers fans have always supported him, and their loyalty has meant a lot to him. “We’ve been through it. I have a lot of ups and downs here. More downs than I care to admit,” he said.
On the night of his historic achievement, more than 50,000 fans filled Dodger Stadium to watch Kershaw make history. The crowd was loud and excited, and Kershaw was clearly moved by the support. “The fans tonight, it really meant a lot,” he said after the game. “Usually, I try not to acknowledge anything before the game because I’m trying to lock in a little bit. But it was too hard not to tonight. It was overwhelming to feel that.”
Kershaw started his march to 3,000 strikeouts by getting Miguel Vargas in the third inning and Lenyn Sosa in the fifth. The big moment came in the sixth inning, when he struck out No. 9 hitter Vinny Capra with a slider on the 100th pitch of the night.
As soon as the umpire called strike three, the crowd erupted. Kershaw took off his cap, waved to the fans, and walked off the mound to a standing ovation. “I don’t have a lot of great words, other than it was just really special,” he said after the game.
Clayton Kershaw’s 3000th Strikeout. 🍾🍾 pic.twitter.com/Z4lmAE339H
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 3, 2025
Reaching 3,000 strikeouts is a huge achievement for any pitcher. For Kershaw, it is a reminder of his skill, his hard work, and his ability to stay at the top of his game for a long time. It also highlights the special bond he has with the Dodgers and their fans. As Kershaw looks ahead, he knows that whatever happens next, he will always be remembered as a Dodger.