Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Clayton Kershaw Grateful For Dodgers Fans, Family & Teammates Experienced Strikeouts Milestone
Dodgers News

Clayton Kershaw Grateful For Dodgers Fans, Family & Teammates Experienced Strikeouts Milestone

Matthew Moreno
July 3, 2025
6 Min Read
SHARE

The night was not how Clayton Kershaw would have planned it heading into his start against the Chicago White Sox, but it ultimately included enough gratifying moments that he was more than happy to bask in it.

Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history with at least 3,000 career strikeouts. He’s the fourth left-hander in the group, fifth overall to accomplish the feat with one team, and the first Dodgers pitcher.

Kershaw the exclusive club by tallying just enough strikeouts and on his 100th — and final — pitch of the game.

“I made it interesting, for sure,” Kershaw quipped after the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied for their seventh walk-off win. “I made it take too long. Honestly, didn’t pitch that great tonight. Slider was so bad, but this was such a special night all around.

“It really was. Couldn’t have asked for anything more, really. It was so fun to get to be out there. Thankfully, I got one strikeout in the fifth so it was only one that I needed left. It’s a little bit harder when you’re actually trying to strike people out. I’ve never really had to do that before.

“It was hard. I give the White Sox credit, too, they didn’t make it easy on me at all. It was a tough night all the way around, but what a way to end it with Freddie coming up clutch there. To see the fans’ reaction, running back out there for the sixth and hearing the crowd roar, was up there for me.

Big applause when Clayton Kershaw emerged from the dugout for the 6th inning. pic.twitter.com/0RwGggmCZC

— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 3, 2025

“It was a special moment. It really was. Just super thankful for tonight, super thankful for my teammates. I told my teammates individual awards are great, but if you don’t have anybody to celebrate with, it doesn’t matter. So to have that room full of guys — coaches, strength staff, training staff, front office, everybody — just really be happy for me, is awesome. They were in it with me, and it was an amazing night. A lot of gratefulness on this end, for sure.”

Kershaw’s 3,000th strikeout of his career ended the sixth inning, which afforded the Dodgers an optimal time to celebrate the accomplishment.

Fans from the sold-out crowd treated the future Hall of Famer to a standing ovation of nearly six minutes, and Kershaw’s wife, Ellen, and their four children cheered from the front row of a section behind home plate on the loge level of Dodger Stadium.

“Charley was super fired up. I think him and Freddie reminded me the most of how many strikeouts I had left. Cali was so excited and even the two little boys. I’m not sure if they knew exactly what was going on, but they were super excited too,” Kershaw said.

“I feel bad for Ellen. I know she was nervous. I made her last six innings out there, stressed out I wasn’t going to get it and would have to go to Milwaukee to do it. It’s a special thing to see them on the front row up there on the loge level. It’s kind of been Ellen’s spot for the whole time I’ve been here, so it was a great feeling to see them up there.

“Pretty awesome.”

Clayton Kershaw grateful for Dodgers fans

As Kershaw walked down the left-field line to begin his warmup routine like every other start over his 18-year career, hundreds of fans who had arrived early stood to give him the first of what would be multiple standing ovations throughout the night.

Ever stoic and laser-focused on days he’s pitching, Kershaw broke from character and pumped his left fist toward the crowd in acknowledgement of the cheers.

“We’ve been through it. We have. I’ve been through it a lot. Ups and downs here, more downs than I care to admit. The fans tonight, it really meant a lot,” Kershaw explained.

“Usually I try not to acknowledge anything before the game, just because I’m trying to lock it in a little bit, but it was too hard not to. It was overwhelming to feel that. I don’t have a lot of great words, other than it was really special.”

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
2
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 2
Share 0
TAGGED:Clayton KershawLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatthew Moreno
Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish at Dodger Stadium
Dodgers News

Cubs’ Yu Darvish ‘Would Like’ To Pitch Against Dodgers In 2019 MLB Postseason

June 18, 2019
June 18, 2019
Tommy Edman, Max Muncy, Dodgers City Connect
Dodgers News

Dodgers Updates: Blake Snell, Max Muncy & Tommy Edman

August 26, 2025
August 26, 2025
Dodgers News: Jeren Kendall Selected With No. 23 Overall Pick In 2017 Mlb Draft
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Jeren Kendall Selected With No. 23 Overall Pick In 2017 MLB Draft

June 12, 2017
June 12, 2017
Trea Turner
FeaturedVideo

Dodgers Highlights: Trea Turner’s Slide, Chris Taylor’s Throw & Freddie Freeman’s Home Run Vs. Reds

June 23, 2022
June 24, 2022

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어