It took Clayton Kershaw 17 Major League seasons to reach 3,000 career strikeouts, becoming the third active player and the ninth since 2000 to join the exclusive club.
Including Kershaw, only 20 pitchers in Major League history have ever reached this exceptional milestone, making it one of the most elite accomplishments in the sport.
With Kershaw debuting in 2008, most of the eight other pitchers to reach 3,000 strikeouts since 2000 were still active during his rookie season. But three, in particular, rose through the ranks alongside Kershaw in the Majors.
Of all the pitchers in Kershaw’s new fraternity, CC Sabathia is the one he resonates with the most.
“It’s an incredible list. I’m super grateful to be a part of it. I think for me, the most recent with CC is probably what I remember most,” Kershaw said. “Obviously, having Scherz and Verlander on there too—guys that I’ve basically pitched my whole career with—it’s special to finally be in that group with them.
“But I remember watching CC when he got traded over to the Brewers, and he pitched on three days’ rest constantly to try to get them into the playoffs. Just really put his team on his back. It really resonated with me—what a starting pitcher can be.
“Just kind of no regard for himself, doing everything he could to get his team into the playoffs, and he succeeded. So to see him get that 3,000, I just have a lot of respect for him. I think that was pretty awesome.”
Aside from his half-season with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008, Sabathia spent his 19-year MLB career in the American League. While their paths didn’t cross often on the mound, Kershaw and Sabathia did face each other during Sabathia’s time with the Cleveland Guardians and New York Yankees.
Kershaw and Sabathia are two of only four left-handed pitchers in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts, joining Randy Johnson and Steve Carlton.
Sabathia reached the 3,000-strikeout milestone on April 30, 2019. He retired at the end of that season with 3,093 career strikeouts.
CC Sabathia reacts to Clayton Kershaw reaching 3,000 strikeouts
Kershaw’s momentous achievement was met with plenty of congratulatory messages, from Sabathia and former Dodgers teammates Austin Barnes and Jack Flaherty.
Sabathia personally welcomed Kershaw to the club in a post on social media.
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