Clayton Kershaw, a prominent figure in baseball and an icon for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has reached a notable milestone in his illustrious career. Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young Award recipient, accomplished his 3,000th strikeout on Wednesday night. The achievement occurred during the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium, where Kershaw’s slider struck out Vinny Capra, igniting a wave of celebration among the adoring fans.
Kershaw’s feat places him among an elite group, as he becomes only the 20th pitcher in Major League Baseball history to reach 3,000 strikeouts. Additionally, he stands alongside active legends Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer in sharing this esteemed milestone.
While it is undoubtedly a time for celebration, it also brings with it a moment for reflection. Are we witnessing the twilight of such illustrious careers, particularly for pitchers? Kershaw remains one of the last representatives of a generation that consistently amassed substantial innings, victories, and strikeouts, demonstrating outstanding performances year after year.
From 2010 to 2015, Kershaw dominated the National League, leading in ERA five times, in strikeouts three times, and in wins twice. His most remarkable season was in 2014 when he achieved a 21-3 record, boasting a 1.77 ERA and 233 strikeouts, securing both the Cy Young and Most Valuable Player awards in the National League.
Now at 37 years of age, Kershaw is not the same pitcher he once was, yet his recent success is a testament to his experience, determination, and the perseverance that comes with having nearly two decades in the sport. Before Wednesday’s game, he held a 4-0 record with a 3.03 ERA across eight starts, providing a crucial boost to an injury-plagued Dodgers rotation.
“He has given us a shot in the arm,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “We’re sort of ailing on the starting pitching side. Coming in and giving us valuable innings. I just love that kind of edge that he gives on start day. We certainly feed off that.”
Kershaw’s career is running parallel to the final tenure of Verlander and Scherzer, with all three likely headed to the Hall of Fame within the next decade. They represent a formidable era of pitching prowess, perhaps marking the finale of long-term durability and success on the mound.
Verlander, at 42, boasts 262 career wins, while Kershaw and Scherzer, who soon turns 41, each have 216. Beyond them, there is a noticeable decline in the career leaderboard.
It is valid to question whether future major league pitchers will replicate such achievements. Logan Webb, at 28, leads pitchers under 30 with a mere 62 career wins. Achieving anything close to 300 wins, once considered the hallmark of pitching greatness, seems increasingly unattainable.
Reaching 3,000 strikeouts appears slightly more feasible due to the game’s focus on pitch velocity. However, even this milestone remains uncertain. Atlanta’s Chris Sale, with 2,528 strikeouts at 36, might reach the mark with continued health. Likewise, New York’s Gerrit Cole has potential if he fully recovers from elbow surgery; he currently has 2,254 strikeouts at age 34.
The younger talent pool targeting these milestones is sparse. Dylan Cease, under 30, leads in strikeouts with 1,133, requiring a decade of durability to approach 3,000. By comparison, Kershaw entered his age-30 season with 2,120 strikeouts.
While promising talents like Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal may emerge, the trend suggests otherwise, as frequent injuries such as Tommy John surgery persist.
In today’s high-velocity game, the emphasis is on speed and movement, with pitchers delivering nastier pitches than ever before. However, the physical toll on pitchers’ arms may preclude lengthy careers marked by 300 wins or 3,000 strikeouts.
As we gaze into the future, the metrics for determining Hall of Fame eligibility may shift. Arizona’s Zac Gallen, with 58 career wins and nearing 30, anticipates changes in how greatness is measured. Future comparisons may omit once-standard benchmarks.
While the transition promises to be intriguing, Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium belonged to Kershaw, who continued to exemplify traditional pitching greatness.
Savor the moment, as such spectacles might soon be fading.