Kershaw’s 3,000th Strikeout Etches Legacy as White Sox Salute Dodgers Legend

Clayton Kershaw carved his name into baseball immortality with a slider—but did the White Sox’s gracious response to history overshadow their walk-off loss?

The Pitch That Stopped Time: Kershaw’s Slider Seals Milestone

With one vicious 85.8 mph slider in the sixth inning, Clayton Kershaw froze Chicago’s Vinny Capra for strike three, becoming the:

• 20th pitcher in MLB history to reach 3,000 strikeouts
• Fourth left-hander to achieve the feat (joining Randy Johnson, Steve Carlton, CC Sabathia)
• Third Dodger to hit the mark (Don Sutton, Don Drysdale)

The 36-year-old’s 100th pitch of the night—a backfoot breaker to the White Sox’s №9 hitter—capped a vintage performance: 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 8 Ks. “That’s the Kershaw slider we’ve seen dominate for 17 years,” said Dodgers broadcaster Orel Hershiser.

White Sox’s Class Act: Social Media Salute in Defeat

Moments after Freddie Freeman’s walk-off single sealed L.A.’s 5-4 win, the Chicago White Sox prioritized legacy over rivalry with a rare gesture:

FINAL: Congratulations to Clayton Kershaw on 3,000 career strikeouts.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox)

The post, which omitted the game’s result, drew widespread praise. Capra, who became trivia answer №3,000, later tweeted: “Humbled to be part of history. Congrats, legend.”

The Anatomy of the Historic K

| Pitch Type | Velocity | Location | Outcome |
|————|———-|————|——————-|
| Slider | 85.8 mph | Low/Outside | Called Strike 3 |

Home plate umpire Dan Iassogna’s punchout call sparked debates over the strike zone, but Statcast confirmed: 0.2 inches inside the virtual black.

Kershaw’s Ascent: By the Numbers

Career Milestones

• Debut: May 25, 2008 (7 Ks vs. Cardinals)
• 1,000th K: June 2, 2013 (Yasiel Puig’s MLB debut)
• 2,000th K: April 15, 2017 (Rockies’ Carlos González)
• 3,000th K: July 2, 2025 (White Sox’s Vinny Capra)

Left-Handed Kings of K

1. Randy Johnson: 4,875
2. Steve Carlton: 4,136
3. CC Sabathia: 3,093
4. Clayton Kershaw: 3,000*

*Active leader among lefties

Dodgers’ Playoff Pulse: Kershaw’s Role in 2025 Chase

Despite a 5.04 ERA entering the game, Kershaw’s milestone start aligned with L.A.’s resurgence:

• 9-2 in last 11 games
• 3.5 GB in NL West (47-37)
• Bullpen Boost: Evan Phillips’ 1.93 ERA since June

“This is our catalyst,” manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “When Kersh is right, we’re dangerous.”

Key Takeaways

• Historical Context: Kershaw is the fastest to 3,000 Ks among lefties (2,706.2 IP vs. Johnson’s 2,829.1)
• White Sox’s Sportsmanship: First team since 2019 Yankees (Verlander’s 3,000th) to spotlight an opponent’s milestone
• Capra’s Distinction: Joins Brandon Inge (Mussina’s 2,500th) as “historic strikeout” trivia names
• Dodgers’ Momentum: 22-8 in one-run games signals October readiness
• Kershaw’s Future: 2026 player option looms; 3,500 Ks within reach

As Kershaw tipped his cap to a standing Dodger Stadium ovation, the moment transcended rivalry—a testament to baseball’s enduring respect for greatness. For the White Sox, class trumped defeat. For Kershaw, immortality awaits.