In 1984, Dodger great Don Drysdale was enshrined into the National Baseball Hall of Fame after a historic 14-year major league career – all with the Dodgers. Fourteen years later, in 1998, fellow Dodger right-hander Don Sutton followed his namesake into the sacred shrine at Cooperstown after his equally historic 23-year MLB career, 16 of which while wearing a Dodger uniform.

What do these two Dodger Hall of Famers have in common that no other Dodger in the 134-year history of the franchise has ever done? They were the only two Dodgers to have started seven Opening Days for our beloved baseball team.

…until now.

“Obviously Clayton is going to be the starter,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts officially announced on Sunday morning at Camelback Ranch, even before the first pitch of the first spring training game has been thrown – not that there was ever a doubt in anyone’s mind.

“How many years will that be?” Roberts immediately asked, to which he was told seven. “So this will be seven right here? Is that a new franchise record?” To which he was informed that it ties both Sutton and Drysdale. “So Sutton and Drysdale, that’s great. I’m looking forward to having him throw there in Los Angeles.”

When Clayton Kershaw takes the mound on Opening Day 2017, he will become only the third Dodger pitcher in franchise history to do so seven times. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

While making seven Opening Day starts is certainly not a prerequisite to receive baseball highest and most coveted honor, it’s impossible to ignore that it is a pretty good barometer to ensure one’s place in baseball immortality, not necessarily for the number of Opening Day starts themselves but because of what it takes to be named the Opening Day starter repeatedly – success at baseball’s highest level consistently.

To further the significance of Kershaw being named to his seventh Opening Day start – as if that were even necessary – he will join only Don Sutton to have done so in seven consecutive seasons. Drysdale’s seven Opening Day starts were over 12 seasons, having been interrupted by guys named Johnny Podres, Claude Osteen, Bob Miller and some guy named Sandy Koufax – yet another Dodger Hall of Famer and the guy who Kershaw is frequently compared to. Ironically, Koufax only made one Opening Day start for the Dodgers (1964) during his remarkable 12-year (and thus far unparalleled) MLB career.

“Anytime you get to do it, it’s special,” Kershaw said, upon learning of Roberts’ decision. “It’s fun, it’s fun to get the season going and to be part of it. I’m thankful that I’ve gotten to do it for so long with the same team. Not a lot of people get to do that, so it’s pretty cool.”

As he so often does, Kershaw used a little humor and humility over his double historic record-tying accomplishment.

“I hope I get to do this for 10 more years. I don’t feel old but getting to do it seven times now, I guess you’ve been around a little bit, so it’s cool,” said the three-time National League Cy Young award winner and 2014 NL MVP.

When Kershaw pitches, everyone stops what they’re doing to watch – even during a bullpen session at spring training. Yeah … he’s that good. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

In his six previous Opening Day starts, Kershaw is 4-0 with an incredible 0.93 ERA. He has struck out 44 while issuing only six walks in his combined 38.2 Opening Day innings pitched. This includes his seven scoreless innings pitched in last year’s 15-0 Opening Day rout of the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Like I said … success.