Clayton Kershaw reached a significant career milestone earlier this month by recording his 3,000th strikeout during a Los Angeles Dodgers victory against the Chicago White Sox. This achievement places him among an elite group in Major League Baseball history, and Justin Verlander has praised this accomplishment, emphasizing its rarity and lasting value in the sport.
A Landmark Achievement Amid Baseball’s Elite
Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts and only the fourth left-handed pitcher to do so. Moreover, he joins pitchers Steve Carlton, Walter Johnson, Bob Gibson, and John Smoltz as the exclusive group to achieve this milestone while remaining with a single team throughout their career. This milestone further solidifies Kershaw’s status as a Hall of Fame-caliber player.
The milestone has received widespread recognition from players and peers alike, including CC Sabathia and Kershaw’s former Dodgers teammates Austin Barnes and Jack Flaherty. Among voices celebrating this historic achievement is fellow elite pitcher Justin Verlander, who is among the few active players with over 3,000 strikeouts himself.
Verlander Highlights the Rarity of Kershaw’s Milestone
Justin Verlander, a veteran San Francisco Giants starter and three-time Cy Young Award winner, has struck out 3,471 batters in his career so far. Speaking to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Verlander expressed admiration for Kershaw’s accomplishment and underscored its rarity in today’s game.
“I think it’s cool man,” says San Francisco Giants 42-year-old starter Justin Verlander, the three-time Cy Young winner, who leads all active pitchers with 3,471 strikeouts and 262 victories. “I think the game should celebrate stuff like that and people like him because it’s clearly going away. There are very few of us left. So any time you get a moment to celebrate something like that, you don’t know if you’ll ever see it again.” —Justin Verlander, San Francisco Giants starter
Verlander’s remarks reflect a sense of nostalgia and concern over the declining frequency of pitchers achieving such high strikeout totals. He sees Kershaw’s milestone not just as a personal triumph but as a rare hallmark that the sport may soon stop witnessing.
Kershaw’s Continued Dedication to Excellence
While Kershaw does not typically focus on personal accolades, Verlander praised his relentless work ethic and desire to improve. According to Verlander, reaching milestones like 3,000 strikeouts offers perspective but does not lead to complacency.
“It’s cool to have moments like these that shake you up a little bit,” Verlander says. “Getting to that number kind of puts things in perspective. But the great ones don’t rest on their laurels. They keep working hard, put their nose to the grindstone, and want to keep being great.” —Justin Verlander, San Francisco Giants starter
At 37 years old, Kershaw continues to evolve his pitching style. So far this season, he has compiled a 4-1 record with a 3.38 earned run average (ERA) and a 1.24 WHIP across 50.2 innings in 10 starts. Although his velocity and stuff are not at their peak as in his prime years, Kershaw remains a dependable ace for the Dodgers, delivering crucial performances amid the team’s need for steady pitching.
Kershaw’s Unique Spot in MLB’s All-Star Tradition
Kershaw has also been honored with a National League selection to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game as a Legend Pick by commissioner Rob Manfred. This special designation is reserved for players recognized for their outstanding careers and past contributions, similar to honors given to Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera in the 2022 All-Star Game held at Dodger Stadium.
Although surprised by the selection, Kershaw looks forward to representing the Dodgers in the All-Star Game in Atlanta, embracing the opportunity despite the unusual circumstances. This marks the 11th All-Star Game appearance in Kershaw’s illustrious career, a new franchise record for the Dodgers.
The Lasting Impact of Kershaw’s Strikeout Milestone
Kershaw’s 3,000 strikeout achievement stands as a testament to his longevity, skill, and place among baseball’s elite pitchers. As the sport gradually shifts toward different trends and pitching approaches, milestones like Kershaw’s become increasingly uncommon, making recognition from fellow stars like Justin Verlander especially meaningful.
For the Dodgers and MLB fans alike, Kershaw’s perseverance and continued success emphasize the enduring value of consistent excellence. The celebration of such milestones highlights the respect and admiration that transcends teams and generations, ensuring that accomplishments like Kershaw’s will be remembered even as the game evolves.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. How much does Justin Verlander sleep?
A. Baseball star Justin Verlander, famous for his fast-pitching, says that sleeping 10 hours a night helps him succeed. He uses blackout curtains and silences his phone to make sure he isn’t disturbed. Verlander often shares sleep advice with his team members.
Q. How much sleep does Justin Verlander get?
A. Verlander tries to get 10 hours of sleep each night. He mentioned, “If I need extra rest, I’m okay with sleeping more.” Occasionally, eight or nine hours is enough to feel good, but there are times he sleeps 11 or even 12 hours.