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This Day In Dodgers History: Clayton Kershaw Makes MLB Debut; Josh Beckett Throws No-Hitter

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
Gary A. Vasquez/USA TODAY Sports

On May 25, 2008, Clayton Kershaw made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in a start against the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium. He joined the Dodgers that season from Double-A Jacksonville.

Kershaw allowed two runs on five hits in six innings, striking out seven and walking one. Of his 102 pitches, 69 were thrown for strikes. Kershaw issued a one-out walk and allowed an RBI double to Albert Pujols, but otherwise struck out the side in the first inning.

Kershaw exited with the game tied, and he did not factor into the decision as the Dodgers won in the 10th inning on Andre Ethier’s walk-off single.

At the time just 20 years old, Kershaw took regular turns in the Dodgers rotation into July. He was optioned back to Jacksonville following a start on July 1, but rejoined the Dodgers before the end of the month and remained with the club for the duration of the season and into the playoffs.

In 22 games (21 starts) with the Dodgers as a rookie, he went 5-5 with a 4.26 ERA and 1.50 WHIP. Kershaw allowed one run on two hits in two innings pitched across two relief appearances in the 2008 National League Division Series.

Since making his MLB debut, Kershaw went on to become arguably the best pitcher of his generation and cement himself as a Dodgers icon.

Beckett makes Dodgers history, razzes Clayton Kershaw

Also on this day in Dodgers history, Josh Beckett threw the lone no-hitter of his career in 2014.

As later told by A.J. Ellis, Beckett needled Kershaw and Zach Greinke on the flight out of Philadelphia, offering to give them advice on how to throw a no-hitter. Kershaw would go on to throw a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies on June 18, 2014.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing 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