Last Updated: June 17th, 2026 by Michael Griffin
It feels like just yesterday that a 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw burst onto the scene, part of a new wave of aces destined to take the torch from legends like Greg Maddux and Randy Johnson. Now, with those two enshrined in Cooperstown, it’s a matter of when—not if—Kershaw and his contemporary Max Scherzer will follow. Here are 10 reasons why the Dodgers’ lefty has earned his place among the baseball immortals:
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The 2014 MVP Season—When Kershaw Was Baseball’s Triple Threat
In 2014, Kershaw did it all: Cy Young, MVP, and a left arm that seemed personally offended by opposing batters. He led the league in ERA, wins, and even tossed a no-hitter (more on that in a bit). Baseball fans were already wondering if they were watching the second coming of Sandy Koufax, or perhaps something even greater.
June 18, 2014: Making Colorado Feel Rocky With a No-Hitter
On a breezy June night, Kershaw painted the corners and the Rockies never stood a chance. With 15 strikeouts and no walks, he was so dominant that you could practically hear Vin Scully smiling as he wove the tale of the game. The only blemish that kept it from being a perfect game was a throwing error by Hanley Ramirez. Nonetheless, it was truly Koufaxian.
Clinching the 2020 World Series—Ending a Dodger Drought at Last
After decades of near-misses and heartbreaks, Kershaw helped deliver what L.A. fans had craved since Reagan was president—a World Series title. His two wins in the Series exorcised ghosts and helped put to rest his “postseason choker” reputation.
2011’s 21 Wins—Old-School Dominance in a New-School League
While everyone else was talking pitch limits and analytics, Kershaw was just busy winning. Twenty-one victories, a sparkling ERA, and a Cy Young trophy—he made it look as routine as mowing the lawn on a Saturday morning, only with a bit more curve on the edges.
12 Strikeouts in the 2013 NLDS Opener Against the Braves
Kershaw made playoff pitching look easy in Game 1 of the 2013 NLDS, striking out 12 Braves and silencing a stadium full of tomahawk chops as he stared down postseason pressure.
Opening Day Ace: Eight Starts, Seven Dodger Wins
For eight consecutive Opening Days, from 2011 to 2018, Kershaw took the ball—and the Dodgers emerged victorious in seven of those contests. It became a springtime ritual, as comforting as the crack of a wooden bat or the first whiff of fresh-cut grass. Kershaw on Opening Day meant hope, hot dogs, and usually, a 1-0 record for the Boys in Blue.
Outdueling Tim Lincecum: The 2011 Cy Young Showdown
When Cy Young winners collide, you expect fireworks—and in 2011, Kershaw and Lincecum delivered. The crowd came anticipating a pitcher’s duel, and they got it. All the scoring was in the last three innings, and Jonathan Broxton nailed down the save to get Kershaw the W.
The 2015 15-Strikeout Masterpiece vs. the Giants
On a September evening in 2015, Kershaw put on a clinic against the rival Giants. He fanned 15 batters in a masterful complete-game performance to secure his twelfth win of the season.
Move Over, Mr. Sutton
Kershaw had already cemented his reputation as one of the greatest Dodgers ever. On this night, he passed fellow Hall of Famer Don Sutton as the all-time strikeout leader for the franchise. He’s still building on that total as I write this — he’ll likely hit 3,000 at some point in 2025, barring injury.
The 2015 NLDS Game 4 Gem—Shaking Off the Postseason Ghosts
With the Dodgers’ season on the brink, Kershaw pitched on short rest and shut down the Mets, exorcising a few postseason demons in the process. It was a performance for the ages. Although it was only a temporary stay of execution—as New York would take the series—it was a defining moment of grit for Kershaw. The Mets would go on to lose to the Kansas City Royals in the World Series.