The Dodgers selected 18-year-old Clayton Kershaw with the seventh overall pick in the 2006 draft. Two years later the lefty made his Major League debut. By age 23 Kershaw was the Opening Day starter as he charged toward his first All-Star season. It was in that 2011 campaign that Kershaw began building his Hall of Fame legacy.

In the collection sits the official Major League Baseball document Kershaw signed to claim the first of his eight All-Star rings. The 2011 season proved magical for the Dodger ace. He captured pitching’s Triple Crown with 21 wins, a 2.28 ERA, and 248 strikeouts. At year’s end he earned the first of his three Cy Young Awards and set a high standard for the years ahead.

From 2011 through 2017 Kershaw simply ruled the game. Each season he finished in the top five in Cy Young voting. He won the award three times and placed second twice more. His 2014 campaign stood out as one for the ages. Kershaw went 21-3 with a 1.77 earned run average and claimed the National League Most Valuable Player Award in a season few could match.

Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw delivered one of the greatest pitching runs in Dodgers history. From 2013 through 2015, they combined for 104 wins, 34 losses, 1,269â…” innings, and 1,327 strikeouts. Greinke and Kershaw accumulated 40.7 combined pitching WAR, with their individual contributions driving that remarkable total.

Their greatest combined season in Los Angeles came in 2015, when both pitchers dominated. They combined for 35 wins, 10 losses, 501 strikeouts, and 16.1 pitching WAR over 455â…“ innings. Greinke posted a 222 ERA+ and 8.9 WAR, while Kershaw registered a 173 ERA+ and 7.2 WAR.

Only Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale challenged that dominance, with outstanding seasons in 1963 and 1965. In 1963, the pair combined for 44 victories, 557 strikeouts, and 15.0 pitching WAR. Koufax went 25-5 over 311 innings, posting a 175 ERA+ and 10.7 WAR. Drysdale added 19 wins across 315â…“ innings and contributed 4.3 WAR.

Two years later, Koufax and Drysdale reached 49 wins and 592 strikeouts. Koufax went 26-8 across 335â…” innings, while Drysdale finished 23-12 in 308â…“ innings. Koufax contributed 10.3 WAR, while Drysdale added 2.8, giving them 11.3 combined pitching WAR.

Shown here is an ESPN SportsTicker questionnaire that Greinke completed entirely in his own hand on August 3, 2002. He had finished high school just two months earlier, with his major-league debut in Kansas City still two years away.

Avoid the passive voice, limit sentence length to 19 words or less, never start three consecutive sentences with the same word, search every name you ever write on CooperstownExpert.com, if there’s a link for that name, hyperlink it and any descriptor the first time the name appears in full in the passage write in paragraph form the voice of a sportswriter, use between 175-290 words, rewrite the following in any order:

The Cy Young Award was originated in 1956 to recognize pitching excellence. Through 1966 it was given to the singular best twirler in the major leagues. Then in 1967, it was expanded to honor a pitcher in each league.

Through the award’s first 70 years 22 pitchers earned multiple nods. Half of them picked up the honor a third time.

Clayton Kershaw is one of the 11 to capture the Cy at least three times. Baseball writers bestowed it to the Dodger ace three times in four years starting in 2011. During his run of dominance, Kershaw claimed 72 victories against 26 losses. He led the NL in ERA each of the four years, twice posting sub-2.00 campaigns. In 2014 his 21-3 record and 1.77 ERA also earned him the Most Valuable Player Award.

Roger Clemens is the most-decorated recipient with 7 Cy Young plaques. Left-hander Randy Johnson is next with 5 nods. A pair of Cooperstown men, Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux won four each. Along with Kersh, Pedro Martinez, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver, and Sandy Koufax have three each.

Shown here is a 1961 Topps card autographed by Koufax and LA teammate Johnny Podres. The Left Arm of God earned his trio of Cy Young Award in his final four years with the Dodgers from 1963-1966. Koufax was baseball’s first three-time Cy Young winner. He and Kershaw are the only hurlers to claim the honor three times with the Dodgers.

The Cy Young Award began in 1956 to honor pitching excellence. Through 1966 it recognized the single best pitcher in the majors. Then in 1967 the award expanded to one winner in each league.

Through the first 70 years 22 pitchers earned multiple awards. Half of them claimed a third honor.

Clayton Kershaw ranks among the 11 hurlers with at least three Cy Youngs. Baseball writers gave the Dodger ace the award three times in four years starting in 2011. During that dominant stretch Kershaw posted 72 wins against 26 losses. He led the National League in ERA each season and twice finished under 2.00. In 2014 his 21-3 mark and 1.77 ERA also earned him the Most Valuable Player Award.

Roger Clemens holds the record with seven Cy Youngs. Left-hander Randy Johnson follows with five. Cooperstown members Steve Carlton and Greg Maddux each won four. Along with Kershaw, Pedro Martinez, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Jim Palmer, Tom Seaver, and Sandy Koufax each captured three.

Shown here is a 1961 Topps card signed by Koufax and LA teammate Johnny Podres. The Left Arm of God earned his three Cy Youngs in his final four seasons with the Dodgers from 1963 to 1966. Koufax became baseball’s first three-time winner. He and Kershaw remain the only pitchers to claim the honor three times with the Dodgers.

Clayton Kershaw earned his first Opening Day start in 2011 at the tender age of 23. He delivered mightily. The lefty struck out nine over seven scoreless innings to claim the victory. He kept earning the Opening Day nod until he stood alone in Dodger lore.

In 2017 he matched the franchise record shared by Don Drysdale and Don Sutton by starting his seventh opener. One year later his eighth consecutive assignment made the mark his own. Injuries halted the streak, but he returned for a ninth and final opener in 2021.

His finest Opening Day outing came on April 1, 2013. Manager Don Mattingly tabbed him against the defending champion San Francisco Giants. Before the game the 53,136 on hand were reminded of Dodger mound greatness. Legendary left-hander Sandy Koufax fired a strike on the ceremonial first pitch to fellow Cy Young winner Orel Hershiser.

As the game got underway Kershaw was dominant. He scattered three hits through the first eight innings to hold the Giants at bay. After 85 pitches Mattingly faced a tough choice when the pitcher’s spot led off the bottom half. In the right decision he let Kershaw hit. The lefty sent the sellout crowd into a frenzy, hitting his only career home run to break the scoreless tie. The Dodgers added three insurance runs before Kershaw finished a four-hit complete-game shutout.

Kershaw became the first pitcher since Hall of Famer Bob Lemon in 1953 to combine a shutout and a home run. He also blanked the reigning champions, a feat Rick Rhoden last achieved in 1988 when he whitewashed the Twins.

Shown above is Mattingly’s lineup card from the afternoon Kershaw made his most memorable Opening Day performance. The pitcher signed the card boldly to mark his unforgettable day.

Clayton Kershaw owned Dodger Stadium like few pitchers ever have. In 228 career starts at home he went 117-42 with a 2.26 ERA and 0.99 WHIP across 1,479 2/3 innings. Those 117 victories rank second only to Don Sutton‘s 126. He piled up a stadium-record 1,651 strikeouts against only 350 walks while holding hitters to a .207 average.

Across seven home openers Kershaw went 6-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 54 strikeouts. Most memorably, on Opening Day April 1, 2013, he hit his only career home run in a complete-game shutout against the Giants.

On June 18, 2014, Kershaw delivered his finest career outing when he no-hit the Colorado Rockies at home. He struck out 15 and allowed just one baserunner on a throwing error by Hanley RamĂ­rez to open the seventh. Kershaw’s 102 game score ranks second among nine-inning starts under the original formula, behind Kerry Wood’s remarkable 105. It stands as one of the greatest no-hitters in baseball history.

He also made his only All-Star start at Dodger Stadium in 2022 and tossed a scoreless first inning. In the postseason at home Kershaw posted a 7-4 record with a 3.44 ERA and 113 strikeouts over 96 2/3 innings in 16 appearances between 2011 and 2020.

His final career win at Dodger Stadium came on August 16, 2025, against the Padres. Kershaw worked six strong innings, allowed just two hits and one run, walked one, and struck out three. The Dodgers edged San Diego 3-2 to hand him the victory in front of a packed house. That outing capped a home career defined by dominance and durability.

Shown here is manager Dave Roberts‘ lineup card for Kershaw’s final career win at Dodger Stadium. The pitcher added his signature in large fashion next to the Dodger batting order.

The Dodgers stand as the most pitching-rich franchise in baseball history. The club holds a major league record with 12 Cy Young Awards and keeps producing elite arms year after year. Top-flight hurlers have defined the organization for decades.

A look at the franchise leaderboard places Clayton Kershaw first in pitcher’s WAR. He seized Don Sutton’s career Dodger strikeout record in April of 2022. Kershaw’s 223 wins with the team trail only Sutton’s 233. That mark underscores his lasting impact on the club.

Sutton hurled for the Dodgers from 1966 until 1980. He then left for Houston as a free agent. Later he pitched for Milwaukee, Oakland, and the Angels. He returned to Los Angeles for his final season in 1988 and closed his career where it began.

Shown here is a handwritten letter from Sutton. It reads, “Although I played for a few teams, I’m very proud it’s a Dodger cap in Cooperstown.”

A no-doubt, first-ballot Hall of Famer, Kershaw will be the first since Sutton to wear an LA cap on his Cooperstown plaque.