Like in an old western movie, the hero saddles up for one last ride; Dodgers pitcher, Clayton Kershaw, took the mound for the final time in a World Series showdown against the villainous Vlad Guerrero Jr. and his dastardly gang of outlaw Blue Jays. Ten paces, turn, and shoot. Very simple. He has done this a thousand times before… but this time is different. This time is the last time.

Kershaw Goes to Hollywood

Standing at an imposing 6’4″, Clayton Kershaw means business. Despite committing to play college baseball for Texas A&M University, the southpaw pitcher from Dallas, Texas, was drafted seventh overall by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2006 MLB Draft. After climbing his way through the minors, he made his Major League debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 25, 2008, striking out the very first batter that he faced, Skip Schumaker. Kershaw struck out seven batters and allowed two runs in six innings on the mound.

Through his first two seasons, Kershaw’s won/lost record was a pedestrian 14-14. Despite a disappointing start to the 2010 season, he found his footing and gained control of his slider. On September 14, he pitched his first complete-game shutout against the San Francisco Giants. He finished the season with a 13-10 record, a 2.91 ERA, and 212 strikeouts.

After making a name for himself in 2010, “Kersh” was named the Opening Day starter for the first time in his career in 2011. He pitched his second complete-game shutout on May 29 against the Florida (Miami) Marlins. He struck out 10 batters and contributed to his own cause by adding two singles and an RBI from the plate, while scoring twice.

He would follow up that stellar performance by throwing two more shutouts before the end of June, becoming the first Dodger with back-to-back complete-game wins since Jeff Weaver (2005) and to record consecutive double-digit strikeout starts since Chan Ho Park in 2000. By this point, Kershaw had earned the most wins (32), the lowest ERA (3.15), and became the first 23-year-old to average one or more strikeouts per inning (593 strikeouts in 568.6 innings).

Hey Now, You’re an All-Star… Cy Youngs, No-No, & MVP

Kershaw was selected to play in his first All-Star game in 2011. He won the NL Triple Crown by finishing the season with 21 wins, 248 strikeouts, and a 2.28 ERA. He racked up a toolbox full of hardware by winning the Warren Spahn Award (given to the best lefty pitcher), Players’ Choice Award, and the Gold Glove Award.

He was also named the Sporting News National League Pitcher of the Year, and, most notably, the NL Cy Young Award, which is annually given to the best pitchers in each league. The Claw would be runner-up to New York Mets pitcher, R.A. Dickey in the 2012 Cy Young voting.

In the 2013 season, Kershaw was named an All-Star for the third consecutive season. He recorded over 200 strikeouts for the fourth consecutive season, won his second Warren Spahn Award, and his second Cy Young Award. The Dodgers would reward him for his accomplishments by locking him down with the highest-ever contract for a pitcher, a seven-year, $215 million deal.

In 2014, Kershaw became the fourth Dodger to be named the opening day starter for four consecutive seasons. Despite early-season back problems, he would have his best statistical season. On June 18th, he pitched a complete-game no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies, the only No-No of his career.

Kershaw was once again an All-Star and finished the season with a 21-3 record and a 1.77 ERA. He was third in strikeouts and was the first pitcher to win four-straight ERA titles. He added to his collection of hardware by winning the NL Pitcher of the Year, Player of the Year, and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award for his off-the-field contributions. Oh yeah, he won his third Cy Young and the NL Most Valuable Player Award… No big deal.

By now, Kershaw’s name was synonymous with opening day, making his fifth consecutive opening day start in 2015. He tossed his 1,500th career strikeout against Rockies outfielder Drew Stubbs, and five days later, he would also record his 100th career victory against the Rockies. Though he wasn’t initially selected, he made the All-Star team as a replacement. He notched his sixth-straight 200-plus strikeout season… finishing with 301 strikeouts.

Once again, the Claw had a firm grasp on opening day pitching duties in 2016. This was his sixth consecutive opening day start, and with their 15-0 win, it was the first time in history that the Dodgers won six-straight opening day games. Also, that year, he pitched an MLB record six consecutive starts with 10+ strikeouts and one or fewer walks.

Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 30, 2016, with back pain, later revealed to be a herniated disc, and he was eventually moved to the 60-day disabled list. He was selected to be an All-Star but sat out the game due to his injury. He returned to the team in September and would pitch for L.A. in the playoffs. In the clinching Game 5 of the NL Divisional Series against the Washington Nationals, he would earn his first career save.

The Claw won Game 2 of the NL Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, before giving up five runs in five innings in a must-win Game 6… The Cubs won 5-0 and went on to defeat the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) in the World Series.

Stay Tuned

In my next article, I will chronicle the second half of Clayton Kershaw’s legendary career.