LAD who ate 3000K, does he eat 3000hats? No more after KershawBut after Cabrera, we've got a lot of freeman alt-bemachas

Jul 04, 2025

LAD who ate 3000K, does he eat 3000hats? No more after KershawBut after Cabrera, we've got a lot of freeman alt-bemachas
LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw sends a hand kiss to his cheering family immediately after achieving 3,000 strikeouts in the sixth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium on the 3rd (Korea time). AP Yonhap News



LAD who ate 3000K, does he eat 3000hats? No more after KershawBut after Cabrera, we've got a lot of freeman alt-bemachas
There are growing concerns that Clayton Kershaw will remain the last 3,000 strikeout pitcher in history. UPI Yonhap News
Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw achieved the 20th 3,000 strikeouts (3,000K) ever.

Kershaw started the home game against the Chicago White Sox at Dodger Stadium on the 3rd (Korea time) and added three strikeouts while struggling with nine hits, one walk and four runs in six innings.

He is the fourth left-hander and the third pitcher who has played in only one team. Left-handers Steve Carlton (4136), Randy Johnson (4875), CC Sabathia (3093) achieved 3000K, while Washington Senators Walter Johnson (3509) and St. Louis Cardinals Bob Gibson (3117) were one-club players.




He became the third active pitcher to become a member of the 3,000K club after Justin Verlander (3471) and Max Scherzer (3419).

What is interesting is that manager Will Benable, the head coach of the White Sox, also struck out by Kershaw when he was active. It is the fourth time in history that he has struck out 3,000 against a team led by a coach he has struck out, following Gibson (July 18, 1974 against the Cincinnati Reds, Sparky Anderson), Phil Nicro (July 5, 1984 against the Texas Rangers, Doug Raiders), and Verlander (September 29, 2019 against the Los Angeles Angels, Brad Ausmus).

Roger Clemens and Kurt Schilling are the only retired 3,000K pitchers who failed to be inducted into the HOF. Clemens was hampered by steroids, and Schilling's controversial words and actions after his retirement were problematic. Unless something unexpected happens, Verlander and Scherzer, including Kershaw, are expected to enter the HOF.




LAD who ate 3000K, does he eat 3000hats? No more after KershawBut after Cabrera, we've got a lot of freeman alt-bemachas
Toronto Blue Jays Max Scherzer achieved a career-high 3,000 strikeouts in 2021 when he was with the Los Angeles Dodgers. ImagesYonhap News
The 3000K club was opened by Walter Johnson (3509), a power feature embroidered in the early 20th century. Johnson, who played 21 years as a one-club man for the Washington Senators, achieved 3000K against the Cleveland Indians on July 23, 1923.

The second 3000K came 51 years later. St. Louis Cardinals legend fireballer Bob Gibson created it against the Cincinnati Reds on July 18, 1974.

In the 77 years to 1999, including Johnson and Gibson, 3000K clubs with 11 members added nine in the 26 years from 2000 to this year's Kershaw. In other words, a large number of pitchers with excellent strikeouts have been produced since the 1990s. Pitchers' technological advances, such as 100-mile-long fast balls, messy sliders and curves, changeups and splitters that confuse batters, played a big role.




The pitchers who have reached the 3,000K mark since 2000 are Randy Johnson (No. 2, 4875), Greg Maddox (12th, 3,371), Kurt Schilling (17th, 3116), Pedro Martinez (15th, 3154), John Smoltz (19th, 3084), CC Sabathia (18th, 3093), Verlander (10th), Scherzer (11th), and Kershaw.

However, no matter how good he is at striking out, if he fails to secure pitching innings, 300K for a season and 3,000K for a total of his career will be disappointed. This is why it is unlikely that 3,000K members will come out after Kershaw.

LAD who ate 3000K, does he eat 3000hats? No more after KershawBut after Cabrera, we've got a lot of freeman alt-bemachas
Clayton Kershaw takes off his hat and reciprocates to cheering fans after achieving 3,000 strikeouts. AP Yonhap News
The second most struck out pitcher after Kershaw is Chris Sale of the Atlanta Braves. But Sale, who is 36 this year, has a long way to go. He has to add up to 2,528 and 472 in total. We need at least three seasons. However, Sale is expected to return to the injured list (IL) due to a fractured left rib on the 22nd and return after August. He is a pitcher who is nearing retirement.

Next up is New York Yankees Gerrit Cole (2251). The 35-year-old has thrown and dropped no game this season after receiving Tommy John Surgery. Kershaw said Sale and Cole would follow in his footsteps and reach 3000K, but it is unclear whether it will go as he wishes.

MLB.com predicted negatively, saying it is unlikely that Sale and Cole will continue to build up the number of innings they have thrown recently over the next three to five years due to the increasing bullpen-oriented game.

LAD who ate 3000K, does he eat 3000hats? No more after KershawBut after Cabrera, we've got a lot of freeman alt-bemachas
LA Dodgers Freddie Freeman hits a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox on the 3rd (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News
The record for a batter corresponding to 3,000K of a pitcher is 3,000 hits. Thirty-three hits in total have been achieved in history.

In 1897, Cap Anson was the first on 3,000 hits, followed by 23 by 1999. Since 2000, 10 people have been added. The most recent case is Miguel Cabrera in 2022.

While there is a great concern that 3,000K pitchers will no longer come out, 3,000 hitters are likely to be born in the next four to five years. Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has 2,353 hits. If he applies an average of 186 hits over the four years from 2021 to last year, he can be expected to end the 2028 season. It's the year he turns 39. However, Freeman's current six-year contract will end at the end of 2027. It remains to be seen whether he will continue to play for the Dodgers or retire after that.

Houston Astros Jose Altuve (35, 2315 hits), Pittsburgh Pirates Andrew McCutchen (38, 2225 hits), New York Yankees Paul Goldschmidt (37, 2,143 hits), and San Diego Padres Manny Machado (32, 1995 hits) are waiting for their turn. Considering his age and skill, Freeman, Altuve and Machado are likely to reach 3,000 hits.

Pitchers' pitching innings are gradually decreasing, but the number of at-bats where batters can enter is the same as before and now. Even if you don't see 3,000 strikeouts, you can see 3,000 hits again and again in this century.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.