Clayton Kershaw is the closest thing to a modern day Cy Young. The Los Angeles Dodgers' left-hander wouldn't let the 2015 MLB season pass without making history again.
Kershaw struck out Melvin Upton Jr. in the top of the third inning during Sunday's game against the San Diego Padres and notched his 300th strikeout of the season.
.@ClaytonKersh22's 300th strikeout was straight filth. OBVIOUSLY. https://t.co/pF1038VBzF
— MLB (@MLB) October 4, 2015
The three-time NL Cy Young winner and reigning MVP became the first pitcher in the MLB to reach 300 strikeouts since Randy Johnson (334) and Curt Schilling (316) did so in 2002. Perhaps more impressive is the fact that Kershaw became the first Dodger to achieve the feat since Sandy Koufax did in 1966.
Congratulations, @ClaytonKersh22! #KERSHAW300 pic.twitter.com/2DzogAtMNh
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 4, 2015
It's pretty crazy to think the 27-year-old is going to finish third in the NL Cy Young voting behind teammate Zack Greinke and Cubs' right-hander Jake Arrieta. Nonetheless, it will be the fifth consecutive season the left-hander will finish top three in the Cy Young voting, having won the award in 2011, 2013 and 2014. He finished second behind R.A. Dickey in 2012.
Kershaw was removed from the game after he had thrown 60 pitches in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out seven and brought his season strikeout total to 301, which is tied for 62nd with Vida Blue and Nolan Ryan for the most Ks in a single season.
Heading into today Kershaw led the MLB in strikeouts, fielding independent pitching (FIP, 2.04), complete games (4) and shutouts (3) while leading the NL in innings pitched (229).
Kershaw is the 15th player to join the 300-strikeout club.
"Of the 14, five have done it only once (Bob Feller, Mickey Lolich, Mike Scott, Steve Carlton and Vida Blue) and nine have done it multiple times (Curt Schilling, J.R. Richard, Nolan Ryan, Pedro Martinez, Randy Johnson, Rube Waddell, Sam McDowell, Sandy Koufax and Walter Johnson). Overall, these 14 players have hit the 300 K mark 33 times. Kershaw would be #34," according to FanGraphs.
