Clayton Kershaw made franchise history in the fourth inning of Saturday’s game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers by getting his fourth strikeout of the game when Spencer Torkelson chased a slider at 8:09 p.m.
That moved Kershaw into first place on the Dodgers all-time strikeouts list with 2,697 in his illustrious career. The left-hander overtook Don Sutton, who finished with 2,696 strikeouts over 16 seasons with the Dodgers.
Kershaw, who is in his 15th year with the team, entered the day with 13, seven and three strikeouts in three prior starts this season.
He has steadily made progress toward becoming a Dodgers franchise leader in several categories, and enjoyed prolific strikeout seasons from 2010-2017. Included in that was a career-best 301 strikeouts in 2015.
Kershaw become the first pitcher with 300 strikeouts in a season since Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling did so in 2002.
The franchise record took the 34-year-old just 383 games (380 starts) to reach, compared to Sutton’s 550 games (533 starts).
“This guy, as you know, is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Everything he does is to win. He cares about winning, great teammate, great in the clubhouse, leadership,” Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel said of Kershaw.
“All these things that are changing in the game, I don’t even pay attention to it really. I know what kind of guy he is and what he cares about. He comes out here and looks to win. With all the strikeouts and what he’s done for this club over the years is a great accomplishment.”
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.”
Dodgers all-time strikeout leaders
1. Clayton Kershaw: 2,700
2. Don Sutton: 2,696
3. Don Drysdale: 2,486
4. Sandy Koufax: 2,396
5. Dazzy Vance: 1,918
6. Fernando Valenzuela: 1,759
7. Orel Hershiser: 1,456
8. Johnny Podres: 1,331
9. Ramon Martinez: 1,314
10. Bob Welch: 1,292
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