MLB Logo icon

Career timeline: Clayton Kershaw

This browser does not support the video element.

July 27, 2008: First of many

In his 10th career start, Kershaw -- the Dodgers' top prospect -- got his 1st MLB win, which came after striking out 5 over 6 scoreless innings against the Nationals at Dodger Stadium

This browser does not support the video element.

2011: Cy Young No. 1

After a couple of strong seasons to start his career, Kershaw was able to put it all together in 2011, going 21-5 with an MLB-best 2.28 ERA en route to his 1st career NL Cy Young Award

This browser does not support the video element.

2013: Cy Young No. 2

For the 2nd time in 3 seasons, Kershaw took home the NL Cy Young Award, this time going 16-9 with a dominant 1.83 ERA over 236 innings

This browser does not support the video element.

June 18, 2014: Near perfection

Kershaw came just a throwing error away from a perfect game, but it was still one of the best-pitched games in baseball history, with no hits, no walks and 15 strikeouts

2014: Best in the league

Kershaw’s 3rd Cy Young Award was accompanied by an NL MVP trophy, making him the 1st Dodgers pitcher since Sandy Koufax to win both in the same season; he’s also the most recent pitcher to accomplish the feat

This browser does not support the video element.

May 15, 2015: 100-win club

With a victory over the Rockies, Kershaw became the 2nd-youngest pitcher to reach the 100-win mark behind only Félix Hernández (who accomplished it while being 43 days younger than Kershaw)

This browser does not support the video element.

Oct. 4, 2015: Mr. 300

A strikeout of B.J. Upton was Kershaw’s 300th K of 2015, making him just the 2nd Dodgers pitcher to ever reach the mark in a single season (the other, of course, is Koufax)

This browser does not support the video element.

Oct. 27, 2020: Finally a champion

In a career that has had countless accomplishments, Kershaw added a ring when the Dodgers won the 2020 World Series over the Rays

This browser does not support the video element.

April 30, 2022: Nobody better

By striking out Detroit’s Spencer Torkelson, Kershaw surpassed Don Sutton as the Dodgers’ all-time leader in strikeouts, another milestone in one of the best careers in franchise history

This browser does not support the video element.

July 19, 2022: Kershaw’s home

Kershaw got the start for the NL All-Star team, marking the 1st time he started a Midsummer Classic -- and it came at Dodger Stadium, the only big league ballpark Kershaw has ever called home

This browser does not support the video element.

Apr. 18, 2023: Win No. 200

Kershaw struck out 9 Mets on his way to becoming the 3rd Dodger in franchise history to the 200-win mark

This browser does not support the video element.

July 2, 2025: 3,000 Club

After striking out Vinny Capra, Kershaw became the 20th player to reach the 3,000-K mark and just the 4th southpaw in MLB history to accomplish the feat

Sept 2025: Legend

Kershaw announced 2025 would be his last year, spending his 19-year storied career all with the Los Angeles Dodgers