Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Sits Atop All-Time Win List
As Clayton Kershaw improved to 13-2 on the season, he surpassed the great Sandy Koufax on the Dodgers All-Time win list. His career record now sits at 166-71 as Koufax concluded his career with a record of 165-87.
The record is even more impressive for Kershaw considering he has 16 fewer losses than dandy Sandy. That mark of 166 wins makes Clayton the winningest left handed pitcher in Dodgers franchise history.
Win No. 166
With tonight’s victory, @ClaytonKersh22 passes Sandy Koufax for most wins by a Dodger left-handed pitcher. pic.twitter.com/HMiW3DC8Mk
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2019
On a night where Kershaw admittedly didn’t have his best stuff, he “navigated” his way through 6 innings of 3 run ball en route to career win number 166.
After the game, the left-hander shared his thoughts on passing the other left-hander atop the All-Time win list.
It’s special…what Sandy means to this organization, what Sandy means to me personally, it’s an incredible thing. Something I never thought was going to happen…obviously, not the most important thing in the world…something that just helps me look back on it when it’s all said and done, just be thankful I get to be here this long.
It’s an honor for me. Just to be mentioned in the same sentence as Sandy, I’ve always said is a special thing, and what he was able to accomplish in his career, would have gone a lot longer if he was playing today, probably, because he could have gotten healthy, but it’s just a special thing.
More assorted Kershaw notes and records:
- Was the youngest Dodger (21 years and 27 days old) to strike out 13 or more batters in a game since a 19 year-old Koufax did it in 1955
- In 2013, as he collected his 200th strikeout, Kershaw joined the elite company of Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale as the only pitchers in franchise history with at least four seasons in a row of 200 strikeouts or more
- He is the fifth-winningest pitcher in franchise history, behind Don Sutton (233), Don Drysdale (209), Dazzy Vance (190), and Brickyard Kennedy (177).
- From 2011-2014, Kershaw became the first to lead the NL in ERA in four consecutive seasons since Koufax strung together five years in a row from 1962-66
That is impressive any which way you look at it, and it shows Kershaw’s dominance. The only pitchers to lead the National League in wins, ERA, SO, and WHIP since Koufax did it in 1965, are Clayton Kershaw and Jake Peavy.
Dodger fans and baseball fans are witnessing greatness at its finest. Kershaw already has a long list of records, and he is just 31 years old. Clayton Kershaw will definitely be in the Hall of Fame. But, he could very well climb up even more on the career lists, and once he delivers a World Series to Los Angeles, he will be known as the undisputed, Greatest Pitcher of All Time.