Don Sutton has been Los Angeles Dodgers’ all-time strikeout leader since he surpassed Don Drysdale in 1979, but Clayton Kershaw is on the verge of becoming the new holder of the franchise record.
Sutton struck out 2,696 batters during his career with the Dodgers that lasted from 1966-1980 with one more season in 1988. Kershaw is currently sitting at 2,690, placing him seven away from becoming the Dodgers’ all-time strikeouts leader.
The future Hall of Famer will have a chance to get those on Sunday against the San Diego Padres, and with how dominant he’s been so far in 2022, it almost seems likely that Kershaw will reach the mark in the series finale at Petco Park.
Kershaw has followed in the footsteps of many of the all-time franchise pitchers before him, and that makes the potential of becoming the Dodgers’ strikeout leader that much more special, he told David Vassegh on “Dodger Talk”:
“That one is pretty cool. I mean that one, like I’ve said before, but the names that are on that list in front of me is special. It just means that I’ve been here for a long time, been with L.A. for a long time. That in and of itself means something to get to have been here for that long. So it’s cool, man. It’s not a big predictor of wins and losses, or how the game is going to go, but it is cool when you look back on everything to be associated with those names.”
Kershaw is also close to becoming third on the Dodgers’ all-time wins leaders list, just three behind tying Dazzy Vance at 190. Sutton holds the Dodgers record with 233 career wins, while Drysdale is second at 209.
Three years ago, Kershaw surpassed Sandy Koufax to take the wins lead among left-handed pitchers in Dodgers history.
The 34-year-old has been with the Dodgers for his entire 15-year career since his MLB debut in 2008. L.A. drafted him out of high school in 2006.
In his career, Kershaw has accomplished nearly everything he can as a three-time Cy Young Award winner, National League MVP winner, Triple Crown winner, eight-time All-Star, five-time ERA title winner, Gold Glove winner and a 2020 World Series champion.
Kershaw more reflective at this point of his career
As Kershaw nears the end of his career and takes each season one year at a time, he has become more mindful of the moments as they happen.
“Yeah, I think so,” Kershaw said when asked if he’s taking in more moments this season. “I think as you get older and you’re on kind of a year-to-year basis with your career, I think you definitely take it in a little bit more.
“Opening Day in Colorado, I took that in and that was fun. Home opener here, kind of take it all in. Getting to pitch at Dodger Stadium, all that stuff I’m definitely taking it in more than I did earlier.”
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