Only 13 days after future Dodgers Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw surpassed current Dodgers Hall of Fame left-hander Sandy Koufax in career strikeouts, he has tied the man affectionately known as ‘The Left Arm of God’ in career wins.

On Thursday night, August 1, Kershaw struck out San Diego Padres catcher Austin Hedges in the top of the sixth inning in front of a soldout Dodger Stadium crowd of 53,181, to move past his (very) close friend and mentor Sandy Koufax in career strikeouts (2,396) and now trails only right-handers Don Sutton (2,696) and Don Drysdale (2,486) for the most strikeouts in Dodger history.

Although Kershaw didn’t realize it at the time, he knew something was up when, upon seeing a message on the Dodger Stadium video boards acknowledging his incredible feat, those aforementioned 53,181 fans suddenly stood and gave him a lengthy ovation.

“It was really cool,” Kershaw later told reporters. “I heard the crowd but I was a little frustrated with myself at the time. I have the ball, so it was really cool.

“I don’t know what to say other than it’s a special thing any time you get mentioned in the same breath as Sandy,” added Kershaw. “He wouldn’t be proud of this one tonight but I’ll try to get better in the next one.”

He did indeed get better in the next one on August 6 against the St. Louis Cardinals also at Dodger Stadium in front of yet another sellout crowd of 53,070. Among them was none other than the legend himself, 83-year-old Brooklyn, New York native Sandy Koufax. Kershaw would go on to win that game, going 7.0 strong innings while allowing one run on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts to improve his record to 11-2 on the season and lowering his ERA to a Koufax-esque 2.77.

After the game, the Hall of Famer met up with the future Hall of Famer in the clubhouse tunnel, where the two lefties embraced and exchanged pleasantries.

“He’s been great,” Kershaw said of his brief meeting with the Dodgers legend. “I have so much respect for him, I think everybody in this clubhouse does. The way he carries himself, the way he hangs out. There’s so much to say. I have a great admiration for him.

“Sandy is great. I don’t like to talk about all the personal stuff and he doesn’t either, but he’s great. He really is,” Kershaw added. “He’s unbelievable. I hope we can do him right.”

But wait … There’s more!

On Wednesday evening, Kershaw made his 21st start of the season against the National League East last-place Miami Marlins in front of a sparse crowd of 8,810 at Marlins Park, a great many of whom were Dodger fans. All the 31-year-old Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in University Park, TX did was strike out the first seven Marlins batters he faced and nine of the first 11. He also did not allow a hit until Marlins left fielder Harold Ramirez singled to right with two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

According to Elias Sports Bureau, Kershaw’s seven consecutive strikeouts to begin Wednesday’s game set a new modern era (since 1900) Dodgers record, passing Andy Messersmith, who struck out the first six batters in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies on May 28, 1973 at Dodger Stadium.

In his 7.0 innings of work, Kershaw allowed no runs and only two hits (both harmless singles), while walking none and striking out 10, to earn his 12th win of the season and the 165th of his brilliant 12-year MLB career. With the win, Kershaw is now tied with Koufax for fifth in wins in franchise history.

• 1. Don Sutton – 233
• 2. Don Drysdale – 209
• 3. Dazzy Vance – 190
• 4. Brickyard Kennedy – 177
• T5. Sandy Koufax – 165
• T5. Clayton Kershaw – 165

Kershaw’s 165th win came in his 339th career game (337 starts) and Koufax’s in his 397th career games (314 starts).

Although Kershaw is fully aware of his accomplishment on Wednesday, he said only this about it, clearly out of respect for his dear friend.

“I’ve said it before, but any time you’re mentioned with Sandy is a special thing for sure.”

He did, however, talk about his team’s 9-1 shellacking of the Marlins.

“Sometimes you just kind of get into that groove early,” Kershaw said. “We scored three runs in the top of the first so I just wanted to make that hold up. You don’t really care how you get the outs as long as you’re efficient.

“Tonight I was able to get ahead. Did a decent job with fastball command. I thought Russell (Martin) did a great job mixing locations, going out and in. Then, both off-speed (pitches) were a little better than in the past,” he added.

As for Kershaw’s (now) 2,416 career strikeouts, only Sutton (2,696) and Drysdale (2,486) are ahead of him in Dodgers franchise history. In all likelihood, he probably won’t catch Drysdale this season, but undoubtedly will in 2020. Heck, he may even catch – and pass – Sutton next season as well … but as of this moment, he trails the winningest pitcher in Dodgers franchise history by 280 strikeouts; but hey, it could happen.

…especially for the guy they call ‘Kid K.’

Play Ball!

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