The Los Angeles Lakers have made a splash in free agency by agreeing to a two-year, $16.6 million contract with center Deandre Ayton. While Lakers fans buzzed about the new addition and the team’s summer plans, another Los Angeles sports milestone took center stage. On July 2, 2025, Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout, drawing the attention of Lakers legend and Dodgers co-owner Magic Johnson, who paused his European vacation to celebrate the achievement.
Lakers Free Agency Buzz Takes Backseat to Clayton Kershaw’s Historic Night
Kershaw reached a rare milestone at Dodger Stadium, striking out Vinny Capra of the Chicago White Sox for his 3,000th career strikeout. He became the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach that number, joining an elite group. The crowd responded with a six-minute standing ovation as the three-time Cy Young Award winner tipped his cap in appreciation.
After the game, Johnson congratulated Kershaw on X (formerly Twitter), showing the camaraderie that runs deep among Los Angeles sports icons.
Congratulations to @ClaytonKersh22 for reaching 3,000 career strikeouts with our @Dodgers! 👏🏾 https://t.co/v6ur26iksv
– Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) July 3, 2025
Kershaw’s 3,000th strikeout adds to a resume that includes five ERA titles, a 2020 World Series championship, and 10 All-Star selections. Johnson’s public praise highlighted the supportive spirit that defines the city’s sports community.
Johnson’s Path from Lakers Star to Sports Owner
After his legendary NBA career, Magic Johnson built a legacy off the court as well. He first retired in 1991 after contracting HIV, then briefly returned to coach the Lakers during the 1993-94 season before stepping down.
Johnson made a final comeback as a player in the 1995-96 season before retiring for good as a Laker. There are some reports that he played briefly for Magic M7 Borås in Sweden from 1999 to 2000, but this cannot be verified by reputable sources.
Johnson’s business ventures have reshaped the Los Angeles sports landscape. In 2012, he joined Guggenheim Baseball Management as a co-owner of the Dodgers. Two years later, he became part of the group that purchased the Los Angeles Sparks, helping keep the WNBA team in the city. Johnson also played a role in launching Los Angeles FC, which began play in Major League Soccer in 2018.
Most recently, in 2023, he invested as a limited partner in the Washington Commanders of the NFL.
In 2020, Johnson shared his pride on social media, celebrating his championship rings across several leagues.
He wrote, “I know God is sooooooooo good because now I have a World Series ring, 10 Lakers NBA Championship Rings (5 as a player and 5 as an owner), and a WNBA Championship Ring as owner of the LA Sparks!”
View this post on Instagram
Johnson’s leadership has helped open doors for underrepresented groups in sports ownership, while his support for athletes like Kershaw shows the unity that runs through Los Angeles teams. As the Lakers continue to reshape their roster and the city celebrates baseball greatness, Johnson’s message stands as a reminder of the respect and connection among the city’s sports leaders.
