Kershaw was drafted by the Dodgers with the seventh overall pick in the first round of the2006 MLB draft. He worked his way through the Dodgers'farm system and reached the majors at age 20 after one season. In 2011, he won thepitching Triple Crown and the NL Cy Young Award, becoming the youngest pitcher to accomplish either of these feats sinceDwight Gooden in 1985. Kershaw pitched ano-hitter on June 18, 2014.
Kershaw was the first pitcher tolead MLB in earned run average (ERA) in four consecutive years (2011–2014) and also led the NL in a fifth.[2] He was also a three-time NLwins leader andstrikeouts leader. His 2.53 career ERA is the lowest among starters in thelive-ball era (with at least 60 starts).[3] Despite his great regular season performance, Kershaw was less effective in thepostseason, with a 4.62 earned run average in196+2⁄3 innings pitched.[4] He retired after the 2025 season.
Off the field, Kershaw participates in volunteer work. He and his wife Ellen launched "Kershaw's Challenge" and wrote the bookArise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself to raise money to build anorphanage inZambia. He received theRoberto Clemente Award andBranch Rickey Award for his humanitarian work.
Early life
Clayton Edward Kershaw was born on March 19, 1988, inDallas, Texas. His parents divorced when he was 10, and he was raised by his mother.[5] He played in youth sports leagues as a child, includingLittle League Baseball.[6][7]
Entering the2006 MLB draft, Kershaw was considered the consensus top high school pitcher available.[13][14] TheLos Angeles Dodgers selected Kershaw with the seventh overall pick in the draft.[15] He had committed toTexas A&M University but turned down the scholarship offer to sign with the Dodgers,[8][16] with abonus estimated at $2.3 million. At the time, it was the largest bonus conferred on any Dodgers draft pick and remained so until it was topped by the $5.25 million thatZach Lee, another Texas high school pitcher, earned from the2010 draft.[17]
Kershaw was promoted to theGreat Lakes Loons in 2007, with whom he recorded a record of 7–5 with a 2.77 ERA.[22] He was selected to play on the East Team in theMidwest League All-Star Game[23] and on the USA team in theAll-Star Futures Game.[24] On August 6, he was promoted to the Double-AJacksonville Suns in theSouthern League,[25] where he produced a 1–2 record and 3.65 ERA in five starts[26] and was selected as the top prospect in the Dodgers organization heading into the 2008 season.[27]
Duringspring training in a game against theBoston Red Sox, Kershaw gained much attention for throwing acurveball toSean Casey that started behind Casey but at the end looped into thestrike zone and struck him out looking.[28] Kershaw was 0–3 and had a 2.28 ERA with 47 strikeouts through43+1⁄3 innings pitched in his first stint of the year with the Suns.[29] He was then called up to the majors on May 24, 2008, butoptioned back to Jacksonville on July 2.[30]
Kershaw pitched 18 innings during his second trip to Jacksonville (two starts and one seven-inning relief appearance), winning two games. During this stretch, he allowed only twoearned runs, lowering his ERA to 1.91. He was recalled on July 22.[31]
Los Angeles Dodgers (2008–2025)
2008 season: Rookie year
Kershaw during his 2008 rookie season
On May 24, 2008, the Dodgers bought Kershaw's minor-league contract, and he was added to theactive roster.[32] Sportswriter Tony Jackson called Kershaw's debut the most anticipated start by a Dodgers pitcher sinceHideo Nomo's MLB debut in1995.[33] He made his MLB debut on May 25, starting against theSt. Louis Cardinals. He struck out the first batter he faced,Skip Schumaker, the first of seven strikeouts in the game, in which he pitched six innings and allowed two runs.[34] When he debuted, Kershaw was the youngest player in MLB (20 years, 67 days), a title he held untilFernando Martínez debuted in May 2009.[35][36]
Kershaw won his first MLB game against theWashington Nationals on July 27. He pitched six-plus shutout innings, allowing four hits, a walk, and he struck out five.[37][38] Kershaw finished his rookie season 5–5, with a 4.26 ERA in 22 games (21 starts).[39] He also pitched two innings out of thebullpen for the Dodgers in theNational League Championship Series (NLCS) against thePhiladelphia Phillies.[40]
2009 season: Second year
On April 15, 2009, Kershaw pitched seven innings, striking out 13 batters while allowing only one hit (a solohome run) against therivalSan Francisco Giants.[41] On May 17, Kershaw did not allow a hit against theFlorida Marlins through seven innings, then gave up a lead-off double to Florida'sCody Ross.[42] In 2009, despite an 8–8 record, he led the major leagues in opposingbatting average (.200), opposingslugging percentage (.282), andhits per nine innings (6.26). He also posted an ERA of 2.79 and 185strikeouts. Kershaw also walked 91 batters, which was second most in theNational League (NL).[43]
Kershaw made his playoff starting debut against the St. Louis Cardinals in theNational League Division Series (NLDS). He went6+2⁄3 innings, striking out four, walking one, and ended up getting a no-decision (the Dodgers went on to win the game in the ninth inning).[44] At 21 years old, he started the opener of theNLCS against thePhiladelphia Phillies and was the third youngest pitcher to ever start a playoff series opener, behind onlyFernando Valenzuela in the1981 NLDS andRick Ankiel in the2000 NLDS.[45]
2010 season: First complete game shutout
Kershaw pitching in 2010
Kershaw started the 2010 season by posting a 3.07 ERA in April but did so by walking 22 batters in 29 innings. On May 4, he had the worst start of his career against theMilwaukee Brewers atDodger Stadium, throwing just 57 pitches in1+1⁄3 innings while retiring only four of the 13 batters he faced—including the pitcher. He was booed loudly upon being pulled from the game. Kershaw said after the game, "I didn't give our team any kind of chance. It's just not a good feeling to let your teammates down, let everybody down. It stings, it hurts. I've got to figure things out."[46]
Kershaw rebounded his next start by pitching an eight-inning two-hitter and outdueling the then-undefeatedUbaldo Jiménez.[47] He credited his control of theslider being the major turning point for him.[48] Later in the season, he was suspended for five games after hittingAaron Rowand of the Giants with a pitch in a game on July 20. The incident occurred after both teams were given a warning following GiantsaceTim Lincecum hittingMatt Kemp earlier in the game.[49] He threw his first careercomplete gameshutout on September 14, also against San Francisco and finished the season with a record of 13–10 and a 2.91 ERA in 32 starts, pitching204+1⁄3 innings and recording 212 strikeouts.[50]
2011 season: 1st Cy Young Award
After finishing the 2010 season strong, the Dodgers named Kershaw as theOpening Day Starter for the 2011 season.[51] On May 29, he pitched the second complete-game shutout of his career, striking out 10 while winning a two-hitter against the Florida Marlins; he also had two singles and anRBI, scoring twice in the game.[52] He produced his third career shutout on June 20, a two-hit, 11-strikeout effort against theDetroit Tigers.[53]
In his next start, on June 26, Kershaw pitched another complete game (against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim). He became the first Dodger starter to have back-to-back complete-game victories sinceJeff Weaver in the2005 season and the first Dodger to have double-digit strikeouts in consecutive starts sinceChan Ho Park in the2000 season. He was awarded theNational League Player of the Week award for the week of June 20–26 as a result of those two starts.[54] Midway through June, Kershaw had amassed 32 career victories, a 3.15 ERA and 593 career strikeouts in568+2⁄3 innings. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Kershaw was the first 23-year-old pitcher to have that many victories, an ERA that low, and an average of more than one strikeout per inning since ERA became an official statistic in 1910.[55]
Kershaw won numerous awards for his 2011 campaign
Kershaw was selected to the National League team for theMLB All-Star Game, his first All-Star selection.[56] In the month of July, Kershaw was 4–1 with a 2.02 ERA and NL-leading 45 strikeouts, earning him theNL Pitcher of the Month Award.[57] On August 23, he recorded his 200th strikeout of the season and became the tenth Dodger pitcher to record back-to-back 200 strikeout seasons and the first since Chan-Ho Park did it in the2001 season.[58]
Throughout the season, Kershaw pitched opposite two-timeCy Young Award winner and three-time defendingNL strikeout leaderTim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants in four particularly memorable matchups. Lincecum posted a 1.24 ERA over 29 innings in the four games but failed to record a win, as Kershaw countered with a 0.30 ERA over30+1⁄3 innings and was the winning pitcher in each game. Each game was decided by a final score of 1–0 or 2–1, with many writers describing the matchups as reminiscent of epic pitching duels of bygone eras.[59][60]
Kershaw finished the 2011 season by leading the NL with 21 wins, 248 strikeouts, and a 2.28 ERA, winning the NL pitchingTriple Crown, the first Triple Crown winner sinceJake Peavy of the2007 San Diego Padres.[61]Justin Verlander of theDetroit Tigers won theAmerican League Triple Crown the same season, marking the first major-league season since 1924 to feature Triple Crown-winning pitchers in both leagues.[62] Kershaw also became just the second left-hander to have 240-plus strikeouts in a season before the age of 24, joiningVida Blue.[61]
On February 7, 2012, Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed on a two-year, $19 million contract. The contract was the second highest for a player in his first year ofarbitration (after Tim Lincecum's $23 million 2-year contract in 2010).[68]
Kershaw was the Dodgers' Opening Day starter for a second consecutive year, where he pitched three innings of shutout ball against theSan Diego Padres atPetco Park before being removed from the game due toflu-like symptoms.[69] On April 27, he was able to last through eight innings for his second win of the season against the Washington Nationals. The win was also his 12th straight home win, tying him withEd Roebuck (June 1960 – August 1962) andOrel Hershiser (September 1984 – October 1985) for the longest home winning streak since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles.[70] Kershaw won the National League'sPlayer of the Week Award for the week of May 14–20 after he made two starts during that week and pitched 16 scoreless innings, including his fourth career shutout.[71] Kershaw was selected to appear in theAll-Star Game, the second straight year he made the team.[72]
On August 11, he went over 200 innings on the season, becoming the 12th Los Angeles Dodger pitcher with three or more seasons of 200 or more innings, and the first since Hershiser did it five times from 1985 to 1989.[73] Kershaw also became just the fifth Dodger pitcher with three straight 200 strikeout seasons.[74]
Kershaw finished 2012 with a 14–9 record, a 2.53 ERA (leading the league), 229 strikeouts, and227+2⁄3 innings pitched, coming second in both categories. He became the first pitcher to lead the league in ERA in consecutive seasons since Arizona'sRandy Johnson in 2001–02. This also marked his fourth consecutive season with a sub-3.00 ERA, making him the first to do this since Randy Johnson from 1999 to 2002.[75] He finished second for the NL Cy Young behindR. A. Dickey, receiving two first-place votes.[76]
2013 season: 2nd Cy Young Award
Kershaw with the Dodgers in 2013
Kershaw made his third straight opening day start for the Dodgers in the2013 season, the first Dodger starter to do so sinceDerek Lowe (2005–2007). In that opening day start, he pitched a complete game, four-hit, 4–0 shutout over the Giants, having also scored the first run of the game, a solo home run which was his first and so far only home run of his career. He was the first pitcher to throw a shutout and hit a home run on opening day sinceBob Lemon of theCleveland Indians did so against theChicago White Sox on April 14, 1953.[77] Kershaw picked up his 1,000th career strikeout on April 17, when he struck outYonder Alonso of the Padres. He was the second youngest Dodger to reach that mark, behind only Fernando Valenzuela.[78] On May 14, Kershaw passed the 1,000 inning mark for his career. His ERA of 2.70 at the time was the fifth-best of thelive-ball era at the 1,000-inning mark and the best career mark. He also threw 130 pitches that day, the most of his career and the most by a Dodger pitcher sinceOdalis Pérez in the2003 season.[79]
Kershaw was selected to theAll-Star Game, his third straight selection.[80] In July, he compiled a 4–1 record and 1.34 ERA in six starts and was awarded his secondNational League Pitcher of the Month Award.[81] On September 2, Kershaw picked up his 200th strikeout, recording his fourth consecutive season with at least 200 strikeouts.[82]
Kershaw finished the season with a 16–9 record, 236 innings pitched (a career-high), and a major league-best 1.83 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.[83] He was the third player in history to lead the major leagues in ERA in three consecutive years, joiningGreg Maddux (1993–95) andLefty Grove (1929–31). His ERA was the first sub-2.00 ERA sinceRoger Clemens did it in the2005 season and the lowest overall sincePedro Martínez in the2000 season.[84]
Kershaw struck out 12 batters in seven innings in the first game of theNLDS. His six straight strikeouts in the game tied an MLB postseason record set byTim Belcher in the second game of the1988 World Series. He picked up his first career postseason victory in that game.[85]
Kershaw won theWarren Spahn Award for 2013, the second time he had won the award, which honors the best left-handed pitcher in the MLB.[86] On November 13, he won theNL Cy Young Award for the second time in three seasons. He became just the sixth pitcher in history to finish in the top two in voting in three consecutive seasons.[87]
After the season, Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed on a seven-year, $215 million, contract extension. The deal was the richest in MLB history for a pitcher, eclipsing the seven-year, $180 million, contract signed byJustin Verlander the previous year.[88] The average annual value of $30.7 million was also the largest ever for a baseball player, beating the $28 millionRoger Clemens received in 2007 and the 10-year, $275 million contract thatAlex Rodriguez signed that same year.[89]
Kershaw made his fourth straight opening day start for the Dodgers in 2014, only the fourth Dodger ever to do so. This season the game was played at theSydney Cricket Ground in Australia.[90] Before his second start, Kershaw felt some pain in his back and was placed on thedisabled list for the first time in his career.[91] He rejoined the Dodgers until early May.[92] On June 18, he pitched a complete gameno-hitter against theColorado Rockies and struck out a career-high 15 batters. The only batter to reach base was due to anerror byHanley Ramírez in the top of the seventh inning. He is one of two pitchers in MLB history, along with Max Scherzer, with 15 strikeouts in a game while allowing no hits and no walks. It was the 22ndno-hitter in Dodgers history.[93][94] Kershaw was 6–0 with an 0.82 ERA in June and was awarded his third career Pitcher of the Month award.[95] He was selected to the National League squad at theAll-Star Game, his fourth straight selection.[96]
Kershaw recorded ascoreless innings streak of 41 innings which started on June 13 and ended in the top of the sixth inning on July 10 when, with two outs,Chase Headley homered to left field at Dodger Stadium. At the time, the 41-inning streak was tied for the fifteenth-longest scoreless inning streak in MLB history.[97] He won the pitcher of the month award again in July, the third Dodger (along withDon Sutton andBurt Hooton) to win it in two consecutive months. He was 4–0 with a 1.10 ERA in the month with 48 strikeouts and only 10 walks.[98] He picked up his 200th strikeout of the season on September 2, the fifth consecutive year he had reached that number.[99] He also became just the fourth pitcher since 1893 to have at least five 200-strikeout seasons through an age-26 season (Bert Blyleven,Walter Johnson andSam McDowell are the others).[100][101]
Kershaw finished the season 21–3 with a 1.77 ERA in 27 starts. He led the National League in numerous categories once again, such as ERA,ERA+,Wins, Win %,WHIP, IP/GS,SO/9,Strikeout-to-walk ratio,complete games,FIP, andWins Above Replacement for both pitchers and all NL players. He also finished third in strikeouts despite missing most of the first month of the season.[43] He was the first pitcher in history to win four consecutive major league-leading ERA titles.[102]
However, in his first start of the playoffs, in Game 1 of theNLDS against the Cardinals, Kershaw became the first pitcher in history to strike out 10 while allowing eight runs. Allowing only two hits in the first six innings, both solo home runs, he surrendered six runs in the seventh. He was also the first pitcher in history to give up at least seven runs in back-to-back postseason starts (his previous one was Game 6 of the2013 NLCS).[103] Pitching on short rest in Game 4, he pitched well but lost after giving up a 3-run home run toMatt Adams in the 7th inning. It was the first home run Kershaw had allowed in his career to a left-handed batter off his curveball.[104]
Kershaw made his fifth consecutive opening day start in 2015, the first Dodgers pitcher to do so since Hall of FamerDon Sutton had seven consecutive from1972 through1978.[111] He recorded his 1,500th career strikeout on May 10 when he fannedDrew Stubbs of theColorado Rockies.[112] Kershaw picked up his 100th career win on May 15 against the Rockies. He became the 22nd pitcher in franchise history, and the second-youngest active pitcher, to reach that mark.[113] Kershaw won his sixth career NL Player of the Week award for the week of June 1–7, when he allowed only two runs on 10 baserunners in 15 innings while striking out 18 in two starts.[114]
Kershaw did not make the initial NL roster for theAll-Star Game, though he was included on the Final Vote ballot, which he lost to Cardinals pitcherCarlos Martínez. However, he was added to the roster to replace Nationals pitcherMax Scherzer, who was unavailable due to pitching the Sunday before the game.[115]
Kershaw struck out a season-high 14 batters in eight shutout innings on July 18 against the Washington Nationals. He became the first Dodgers starter with back-to-back games of at least 13 strikeouts sinceChan Ho Park in2000, and the first Dodgers pitcher with back-to-back games of double-digit strikeouts and no walks sinceDazzy Vance in1930.[116] He shared the NL Player of the Week honors with his teammateZack Greinke for the week of July 13–19[117] and won NL Pitcher of the Month for July.[118]
Kershaw picked up his 200th strikeout of the season on August 12, tyingHideo Nomo's1995 season for the fastest to that mark in Dodgers history at 156 innings; it was also his sixth straight 200-strikeout season.[119] On October 4, Kershaw became the 11th player in MLB history to strike out 300 batters in a season, and the first player to do so sinceRandy Johnson did it in 2002.[120] He finished the season with a 16–7 record, a 2.13 ERA, and 301 strikeouts in232+2⁄3 innings.[43]
In Game One of theNLDS, Kershaw struck out 11 in6+2⁄3 innings but allowed three runs for his fifth straight postseason loss. He andNew York Mets starterJacob deGrom were the first pair of starters to each throw at least 11 strikeouts in the same postseason game in MLB history.[121] He rebounded in Game Four, earning the win on three days' rest by allowing one run and three hits against eight strikeouts in seven innings on October 13.[122] Kershaw finished third in the National LeagueCy Young Award voting, placing behind teammateZack Greinke and eventual winnerJake Arrieta.[123]
Kershaw made his sixth straight opening day start in 2016 as the Dodgers won 15–0. It also marked the first time the Dodgers had won six straight opening-day games, all of which he started.[124] On May 12 against the New York Mets, he struck out 13 while pitching a three-hit complete-game shutout.
He set an MLB record with six consecutive starts with at least 10 strikeouts and no more than one walk and a club record with six consecutive starts with at least 10 strikeouts.[125] He picked up his 100th strikeout on May 29, while only walking five batters within that period. That was the lowest walk total for a pitcher reaching 100 strikeouts in the modern era, beatingCliff Lee who had seven walks in the2010 season.[126] On June 30, Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to back pain. He received an MRI, which revealed that there was a mild herniated disc in the back, and received an epidural injection to treat the pain.[127]
He was named to theAll-Star team but was unable to pitch in the game due to his injury.[128] On July 20, the Dodgers shut down Kershaw for an indefinite period. He continued to feel discomfort in his back after a simulated game.[129] On August 3, Kershaw was transferred to the 60-day disabled list.[130] He rejoined the Dodger rotation on September 9.[131]
He started 21 games in 2016, with a 12–4 record and a 1.69 ERA. He also struck out 172 batters with 11 walks in 149 innings pitched.[43]
Kershaw started Games 1 and 4 of theNLDS and picked up thesave in the clinching Game 5. It was his first professional save since he was with theGulf Coast Dodgers in his first minor league season in2006.[132] He next pitched seven shutout innings, allowing only two hits, in Game 2 of theNLCS against theChicago Cubs.[133] He struggled in Game 6, allowing five runs in five innings to pick up the loss as the Dodgers were eliminated from the playoffs.[134]
2017 season: First World Series appearance
Kershaw made his seventh straight Opening Day start, tyingDon Sutton for most consecutive Opening Day starts, and Sutton andDon Drysdale for most total opening day starts by a Dodger.[135] On June 2, he struck outJonathan Villar of the Milwaukee Brewers for his 2,000th career strikeout. He was the fifth-youngest player in major league history to reach that mark, as well as the second-fastest pitcher to 2,000 strikeouts, accomplishing the feat in 277 games (behindRandy Johnson's 262 games).[136][137] He was named to his seventh straightAll-Star Game.[138] On July 23, Kershaw left the game due to back tightness. The same day, he was placed on the 10-day disabled list.[139] He returned to the mound on September 1,[140] but despite his extended absence, he went on to lead the National League in earned run average and wins.[43]
In 27 starts, he was 18–4 with a 2.31 ERA and 202 strikeouts.[43] He led all major league pitchers inleft on base percentage, stranding 87.4% of base runners.[141] He also led all major league pitchers infirst-strike percentage (69.4%).[142]
In the opener of theNLDS against theArizona Diamondbacks, he allowed four solo home runs in6+1⁄3 innings but still picked up the win.[143] The four home runs were tied for the most allowed in a postseason game.[144] He made two starts in theNLCS against theChicago Cubs, both Dodgers wins, including the clinching game five. He allowed three runs in 11 innings in the two games with nine strikeouts and only two walks.[145] Kershaw started the opening game of theWorld Series for the Dodgers against theHouston Astros. He struck out 11 batters in the game without walking anyone and only allowed one run (a solo homer) on three hits to pick up the win.[146] His 11 strikeouts were the third most ever by a Dodgers pitcher in a World Series game, afterSandy Koufax (15 in1963) andCarl Erskine (14 in1953).[147] He made another start in the fifth game of the series, but he did not pitch as well this time, allowing six runs on four hits in4+2⁄3 innings.[148] Notably, he threw 39 sliders and generated only one swing and miss all game.[149] Although he received criticism after this start for his continued postseason struggles, the later revelation of theAstros sign stealing scandal as a possible factor has complicated assessments of his performance in this game.[150] He came back in game seven to pitch four scoreless innings of relief in the game, and in the process, he brokeOrel Hershiser's Dodgers post-season record with his 33rd strikeout. However, the Dodgers lost the game and the series.[151]
Kershaw was selected as a starting pitcher onBaseball America's All-MLB Team[152] and finished second in Cy Young Award voting.[153]
2018 season: Second World Series appearance
Kershaw made his team-record eighth opening-day start in 2018. He allowed only one run in six innings with seven strikeouts against the Giants but still lost the game 1–0. It was his first opening-day loss.[154] On May 6, Kershaw was placed on the disabled list due to left biceps tendinitis.[155] He returned to the team for one start on May 31, during which he experienced a recurrence of his chronic back pain and was put back on the disabled list.[156] He rejoined the roster on June 23.[157] He had a record of 9–5 with a 2.73 ERA and 155 strikeouts in 2018, his lowest win total and highest ERA since 2010 and fewest strikeouts since his rookie season.[43]
In a surprising move,Dave Roberts choseHyun-jin Ryu to pitch the Dodgers' first playoff game of the2018 NLDS against theAtlanta Braves. It was the first time since 2009 that Kershaw had not started the first game of the playoffs for the Dodgers.[158] He started the second game of the series and pitched eight scoreless innings while allowing only two hits.[159] He then started the opener of the2018 NLCS against the Milwaukee Brewers, but turned in the shortest postseason start of his career, replaced with no outs in the fourth inning after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks.[160] He had better results in Game 5, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on three hits and two walks while striking out nine. He also walked twice as a batter, becoming just the third pitcher in the last 20 years to do so in a postseason game (afterJon Lester in the2016 NLCS andDerek Lowe in the2008 NLDS).[161]
Kershaw made two starts for the Dodgers in theWorld Series against theBoston Red Sox. In Game 1 he pitched four innings and gave up five runs in an 8–4 loss,[162] and in Game 5 he pitched seven innings and allowed four runs, including three home runs as the Red Sox won the Series 4–1; it was the Dodgers' second straight World Series defeat.[163]
Kershaw's contract allowed him to opt out and become a free agent after the 2018 season, but on November 2 he and the team agreed to a new three-year, $93 million contract. This extended his previous contract by one year and $28 million.[164]
2019 season: More injuries and an early playoff exit
Kershaw experienced left shoulder inflammation early in spring training, causing him to be shut down and he did not begin throwing in spring until late. As a result, the Dodgers chose to place him on the injured list to begin the season, ending his Dodgers record streak of eight straight opening-day starts.[165] He was selected to theAll-Star Game, his eighth all-star appearance.[166]
On August 14, Kershaw picked up his 165th career win on against theMiami Marlins, tying Koufax for the most ever by a Dodger left-handed pitcher. He also struck out the first seven batters in the game, breaking a Dodger record previously held byAndy Messersmith (1973) and one short of the major league record.[167] Kershaw picked up his 166th career win on August 20 against theToronto Blue Jays, passing Koufax for the most wins ever by a Dodger left-handed pitcher. That game also marked only the sixth time in his career that Kershaw gave up two home runs in the same game to the same batter,Bo Bichette, and only the first time Kershaw did so to a rookie.[168][169]
Kershaw finished the 2019 regular season with a record of 16–5 with a 3.03 ERA with 189 strikeouts.[43] On offense, he led the major leagues with 15 sacrifice hits.[170]
In theNLDS against theWashington Nationals, Kershaw started Game 2 and entered Game 5 in relief. In Game 2, Kershaw pitched six innings and allowed three runs in a 4–2 loss.[171] In Game 5, he entered the game in relief ofWalker Buehler with two outs in the seventh inning and struck outAdam Eaton. In the eighth inning, Kershaw allowed home runs on back-to-back pitches toAnthony Rendon andJuan Soto to surrender a 3–1 lead, and the Nationals won the game and the series.[172]
2020 season: World Series championship
Kershaw was scheduled to start on opening day in the season shorted by theCOVID-19 pandemic, but he hurt his back in the weight room and was placed on the injured list to start the season. Instead, rookie Dustin May got his first Opening Day nod.[173] On August 20, he passedDon Drysdale for the second-most strikeouts in franchise history.[174] Kershaw started 10 games for the Dodgers in 2020, with a 6–2 record, 2.16 ERA and 62 strikeouts.[43] He started the second game of theWild Card Series against theMilwaukee Brewers and threw eight scoreless innings while only allowing three hits and striking out 13.[175] In theNLDS against theSan Diego Padres, he also started the second game and allowed three runs in six innings while striking out six.[176] Kershaw was scratched from his scheduled Game 2 start in theNLCS against theAtlanta Braves because of back spasms[177] and started Game 4 instead, where he allowed four runs in five innings for his first loss of the 2020 postseason.[178] He started the first game of theWorld Series against theTampa Bay Rays, tyingGreg Maddux for second place all-time with 11 Game 1 starts in the postseason.[179] He allowed only one run in six innings in the game while striking out eight, in the process passingJohn Smoltz for second place all-time in postseason strikeouts with 201.[180] Kershaw started again in Game 5, pitching5+2⁄3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out six in the game to passJustin Verlander for the most strikeouts in postseason history (207).[181] The Dodgers went on to defeat the Rays in six games to win their first World Series championship since1988. After the season, Kershaw was named to the All-MLB Second Team.[182]
2021 season: Third injury-plagued year
Kershaw made his ninth opening day start for the Dodgers, after having missed doing so the previous two seasons because of injuries.[183] He remained in the rotation until July 7, when he was placed on the injured list with left forearm inflammation, the first time in his career he had gone on the IL with an arm injury.[184] Initially it was hoped he would only miss a short time, but he had setbacks in his rehab which necessitated a longer stint on the injured list.[185] He finally rejoined the Dodgers rotation on September 13, allowing only one run in4+1⁄3 innings against the Diamondbacks.[186] However, he experienced more arm pain in an October 1 game against the Brewers, causing him to leave the game in the second inning.[187] An MRI showed no ligament damage, but Kershaw was placed back on the injured list and ruled out for the 2021 post-season.[188] He started 22 games for the Dodgers during the season, with a 10–8 record and 3.55 ERA, the highest since his rookie season.[43]
2022 season: Franchise strikeout record and more injuries
On March 13, 2022, Kershaw signed a one-year deal worth $17 million to return to the Dodgers.[189] In his first start of the season, on April 13 against theMinnesota Twins, Kershaw struck out 13 batters in seven perfect innings before he was removed by the manager. Despite only being at 80 pitches, Kershaw said he agreed with the decision because he had not been built up due to a shortened spring training caused by the offseasonlockout.[190]
Kershaw was chosen to start theAll-Star Game atDodger Stadium. It was his ninth All-Star selection and the first time he was chosen to start.[193] In his one inning of work, he allowed one hit and one walk with a strikeout and picked offShohei Ohtani from first base.[194] For the season, Kershaw made 22 starts and finished with a 12–3 record and 2.28 ERA.[43] He had two stints on the injured list: in May due to a pelvic joint inflammation,[195] and in August due to an issue in his back.[196]
In theNLDS, Kershaw started Game 2 against theSan Diego Padres, allowing three runs on seven hits across five innings. He left the game tied, with the Dodgers eventually losing the game and then losing the series to the Padres three games to one.[197] Following the season, Kershaw again re-signed with the Dodgers, for one year and $15 million, with a $5 million signing bonus.[198]
2023 season: Fourth injury-plagued year
Before the 2023 season, Kershaw committed to pitch for theUnited States in the2023 World Baseball Classic but withdrew from the team in February, reportedly due to his inability to get insurance in case of injury.[199]
On April 18, Kershaw recorded his 200th career win against theNew York Mets, becoming the third pitcher in Dodgers history to accomplish that feat.[200] For the month of April, Kershaw was selected as theNL Pitcher of the Month.[201]
He struggled during the month of May, recording a 5.55 ERA, before rebounding in June. He was selected to theAll-Star Game, his tenth selection, tyingPee Wee Reese for the most all-time by a Dodgers player.[202] Before the All-Star break, he was placed on the injured list due to a sore left shoulder.[203] On September 23, he picked up his 210th win, passingDon Drysdale for second most in franchise history.[204] Kershaw finished the regular season with a 13–5 record, 2.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts in131+2⁄3 innings, his highest total since the 2019 season.[43]
Kershaw opened the Dodgers' 2023 postseason with the worst start of his career in Game 1 of theNLDS. He allowed six runs against the Diamondbacks while only recording one out.[205] The Diamondbacks ended up sweeping the Dodgers in three games.[206] In the offseason, on November 3, he underwent surgery on his left shoulder to repair theglenohumeral ligaments and capsule.[207]
2024 season: More injuries and career lows
Kershaw stated that his recovery from surgery and injury would keep him out of game action for at least the first half of the season. Despite that, on February 9, 2024, he re-signed with the Dodgers on a one-year, $10 million contract with a player option for the 2025 season.[208] Kershaw was activated off the injured list on July 25 to make his season debut against the Giants.[209]
In his first start in 2024, he pitched four innings and struck out six batters against the Giants.[210] On July 31, he lasted only3+2⁄3 innings in a loss to the Padres, allowing seven runs and failing to record a strikeout for the first time during a start.[211] On August 12, Kershaw got his first win of the season against the Brewers, where he pitched5+2⁄3 innings, giving up three hits and one earned run, while striking out six batters.[212] On August 31, Kershaw was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a bone spur in his left big toe.[213] That injury kept him sidelined for the remainder of the regular season and the entire postseason.[214][215] He only managed to make seven starts in 2024, pitching 30 innings with a 2–2 record and 4.50 ERA, all career lows.[43]
With Kershaw sidelined for the remainder of the year, the Dodgers won theWorld Series against theNew York Yankees.[216] After the season, he revealed that he would undergo surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee as well as for a ruptured plantar plate and bone spurs in his left big toe.[217] On November 4, he declined the 2025 player option on his contract, making him a free agent.[218]
2025 season: 3,000 strikeouts, second World Series championship and final season
On February 13, 2025, Kershaw again re-signed with the Dodgers, on a one-year, $7.5 million contract, that also included roster and game-started bonuses.[219] His 18th season with the Dodgers matched the longest for any player in franchise history, joiningZack Wheat andBill Russell. He also became the 59th player in MLB history to spend 18 seasons with one team.[220]
After beginning the season on the injured list while recovering from his off-season surgery, Kershaw rejoined the Dodgers active roster on May 17.[221] In his first game back, he allowed five earned runs on five hits while recording three walks and two strikeouts in four innings.[222] On June 8, Kershaw got his first win of the season, pitching five innings, allowing six hits and one earned run, and striking out seven batters against the Cardinals.[223]
Kershaw picked up his 3,000th career strikeout on July 2, againstVinny Capra of theChicago White Sox. He became the 20th pitcher and fourth left-handed pitcher in MLB history to reach that mark as well as the fifth to do so as a member of one team.[224] He was selected to theAll-Star Game as a legends pick by MLB commissionerRob Manfred, his 11th all-star selection.[225]
On September 18, 2025, Kershaw announced he would retire at the end of the season,[226] one day before making his final regular season Dodger Stadium start, against the Giants.[227] His final MLB start was on the last day of the 2025 season, September 28, against theSeattle Mariners. He pitched5+1⁄3 scoreless innings, struck out seven, and allowed only four hits and one walk. He struck out the last batter he faced,Eugenio Suárez, for the 3,052nd and last strikeout of his career.[228] He finished his final season with an 11–2 record, 3.36 ERA, and 84 strikeouts in 23 games.[43]
Kershaw made two appearances in the postseason for the Dodgers. In the third game of theNLDS against the Phillies he pitched two innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks.[229] His final career appearance was in the top of the 12th inning of the third game of theWorld Series against theToronto Blue Jays. He came into the game with the bases loaded and two outs to faceNathan Lukes and got him to ground out to end the inning.[230] The Dodgers went on to win the series in seven games, the team's third title during his career.[231]
Pitching style
Kershaw's pitching delivery and stride
Kershaw relied on deception, movement, and changes in velocity. He hid the ball so that it wa hard for the batter to pick up the ball, and he had a consistent overhand delivery on all of his pitches. He also consistently pitched low in the strike zone below the catcher's knees, causing batters to chase the ball even when it is going to hit the dirt. Out of thewindup, Kershaw lowered his right foot vertically with a slight pause before moving it forward toward the plate. The motion was described during the 2015 National League Division Series as a "kickstand move," drawing a comparison with one setting akickstand on a bicycle.[232] Out of thestretch, he used a slide step as it made it difficult for a baserunner at first base to get a read on him.[19] He has often said that he modeled his pitching mechanics after his favorite pitcher growing up,Roger Clemens.[233]
Kershaw's repertoire included afour-seam fastball that sat anywhere from 91 miles per hour (146 km/h) to 95 miles per hour (153 km/h) and in his younger years topped out at 98 miles per hour (158 km/h) with late movement, aslider from 84 miles per hour (135 km/h) to 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), a12–6 curveball from 72 miles per hour (116 km/h) to 75 miles per hour (121 km/h), and a seldom-thrownchangeup (under 3%).[234] He was known for having one of the betterpickoff moves to first base and was generally considered one of the better fielding pitchers.[235][236]
Kershaw and his wife, Ellen, co-authored a book,Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Dreams on Whatever Field You Find Yourself, about their Christian faith and humanitarian efforts. It was released on January 10, 2012, by Regal Press.[254]
Humanitarian work
Before the 2011 season, Kershaw visitedZambia with his wife as part of a Christian mission. After the trip, he announced his dream of building an orphanage inLusaka, which he called "Hope's Home" after 11-year-old Hope, an HIV-positive child Kershaw met in Zambia. To accomplish his goal, Kershaw pledged a donation of $100 per strikeout recorded in 2011. With a then-career-high of 248 strikeouts thrown during the 2011 season, combined with additional donations through hisKershaw's Challenge organization, the initial $70,000 goal - later increased to $100,000 - was exceeded.[255] When Kershaw won the 2011Players Choice Award, he donated $260,000 to Hope's Home.
He and his wife returned to Zambia in 2012.[254] Kershaw donated $100 for every strikeout in the 2012 season to Kershaw's Challenge, calling that season's incarnation of the project "Strike Out To Serve." Seventy percent of the money raised in 2012 went to Arise Africa, with 10 percent each going to the Peacock Foundation in Los Angeles, Mercy Street in Dallas, and I Am Second.[256] In 2014, Kershaw continued to support the children of Zambia, in partnership withCURE International, raising funds to pay for 170 children's surgeries and new medical equipment for CURE hospital in Lusaka.[257] Kershaw continued his partnership with CURE International in 2015, setting a goal of funding 100 surgeries for CURE's hospital in theDominican Republic.[258]
In December 2015, Kershaw participated in an expedition toCuba composed of MLB players and officials, including former DodgersmanagerJoe Torre. It was the first visit by MLB since 1999 and was anticipated as an important step to help normalizerelations with the United States that had begun to ease earlier in the year.[259][260]
In addition to Hope's Home and Kershaw's Challenge, he has also helped with other programs in Los Angeles, such as helpingHabitat for Humanity demolish and rehabilitate a house inLynwood, California.[261] He is also a supporter of the Peacock Foundation, which provides animal-assisted interventions and activities for at-risk youth by partnering with mental health practitioners, public service agencies and community organizations.[262]
Beginning in 2013, Kershaw and his wife have hosted “Ping Pong 4 Purpose,” a charity ping-pong tournament at Dodger Stadium. The tournament raises money for Kershaw's Challenge and features past and present members of the Dodgers, high-profile celebrities, and team sponsors.[263][264][265]
Controversies
In 2023, the Dodgers received backlash from Christian groups for inviting theSisters of Perpetual Indulgence, an LGBT charity, to receive a "Community Hero Award" at their annualPride Night event.[266][267] Kershaw criticized the inclusion of the Sisters, saying their parodies were offensive to Christians.[268] In response, he urged the Dodgers to speed up plans for "Christian Faith and Family Day", both promoting and hosting it.[269] His decision to push for the event received criticism from the LGBT community.[270]
During the Dodgers' Pride Night game in 2025, Kershaw wrote theBible verse "Gen 9:12–16" on his Pride-themed cap, which attracted attention.[271][272][273]
Kershaw grew up inHighland Park, Texas, and attended school withquarterbackMatthew Stafford.[6] Stafford and Kershaw, members of the Highland Park High School class of 2006, were the highest-paid players in their leagues in 2017.[274] One of his favorite players growing up was formerTexas Rangersfirst basemanWill Clark, and the main reason he wears number 22 is to honor Clark.[275]
He is the great-nephew of astronomerClyde Tombaugh, the discoverer ofPluto.[276] His father, Christopher George Kershaw, was a musician and won aClio Award for his work. The elder Kershaw remarried after his divorce from Marianne and died in 2013.[277] His mother died in May 2023.[278]
On December 4, 2010, Kershaw married his girlfriend of seven years, Ellen Melson.[279] The couple have four children together.[280] During the season, they reside inStudio City, Los Angeles, and they live inUniversity Park, Texas, during the offseason.[281]
^Matthews, Alan (February 20, 2007)."Top 10 Prospects: LA Dodgers".Baseball America.Archived from the original on January 30, 2015. RetrievedAugust 22, 2013.
^Ramona Shelburne (September 25, 2011)."Clayton Kershaw has arrived". ESPNLosAngeles.com.Archived from the original on December 10, 2017. RetrievedSeptember 25, 2011.
^Sullivan, Jeff (August 21, 2013)."Clayton Kershaw's Deception".Fangraphs.Archived from the original on September 24, 2013. RetrievedSeptember 13, 2013.
^"Ellen and Clayton".kershawschallenge.com. RetrievedJune 18, 2024.Clayton and Ellen are high school sweethearts and married in 2010. They have four children, Cali Ann, Charley, Cooper and Chance.
.jpg)
_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
_(cropped).jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
