Clayton Kershaw Sets New Franchise Record For LA Dodgers with 2697th Career Strikeout

Clayton Kershaw is a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame. With the pitcher knowing no home apart from Dodger Stadium over the course of his career, it was always clear that Kershaw would retire a Dodgers legend. And when the opportunity came to write himself into the history books again, Kershaw was not one to shy away.

Striking out Spencer Torkelson in the 4th innings as the Tigers came to visit, Kershaw topped the Dodgers’ leaderboard for strike-outs, surpassing Dodgers Hall of Famer Don Sutton.

Kershaw could’ve reached the landmark at Petco Park too, but was 4 short, and perhaps it was destiny. With the next game at Dodger Stadium, Kershaw was 4 strikeouts short of the record. And as the Tigers came to visit, Kershaw rose to the occasion. Kershaw broke Don Sutton’s record, which was standing since 1979 with his 2697th career strikeout. 

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Clayton Kershaw reinforces his Hall of Fame bid with a record-setting strikeout

Clayton Kershaw is already a strong contender for the LA Dodger’s pantheon of greats. And with his record-setting pitch against the Detroit Tigers, his claim now has a record to go with it. The southpaw pitcher struck out Robbie Grossman to start the game and was only 3 strikeouts away from the landmark.

The out means that Kershaw now also has 1465 strikeouts at the Dodgers’ home stadium and will go into the record books. The fans’ support was spectacular, applauding Kershaw with every passing strikeout to the landmark achievement. Kershaw raised his cap to the crowd as he acknowledged the milestone, and they roared back their support too.

Speaking after the match, manager, Dave Roberts too acknowledged how the fans make it that much more special. Said Roberts, “They’re special everywhere, but I think that for a fanbase that’s followed him for his entire career, to ultimately reach this milestone at home, to get that ovation and that moment, to share that with the home fans certainly makes it sweeter.”

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Kershaw is one of the greatest pitchers to play the game, and he has the accolades to back that up. With 3 Cy Young Awards and 1 National League MVP, Kershaw is undoubtedly one of the game’s greats. But how much farther do you think he can make it? Can his trademark curveballs elude hitters for a few more years to come? And what other records can he stand to break?