These are the 20 pitchers who have achieved 3,000 strikeouts in Major League Baseball

LOS ANGELES — With his 3,000th strikeout, achieved last Wednesday, July 2, against Vinny Capra of the White Sox, Clayton Kershaw officially joined one of baseball’s most select clubs: the 20 pitchers in Major League history who have reached 3,000 strikeouts. The Dodgers legend is now part of a group that represents decades of dominance, durability, and excellence from the mound.

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Kershaw, three-time Cy Young Award winner, 2014 National League MVP, and multiple World Series champion, achieved this historic feat before the only fanbase he has known in his career. At 37 years old, and in his 18th season with the Dodgers, he joins immortal legends such as Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martínez, Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, among others.

Below is the complete list of the 20 pitchers who have reached 3,000 strikeouts, ordered by career strikeout total:

Nolan Ryan – 5,714
Randy Johnson – 4,875
Roger Clemens – 4,672
Steve Carlton – 4,136
Bert Blyleven – 3,701
Tom Seaver – 3,640
Don Sutton – 3,574
Gaylord Perry – 3,534
Walter Johnson – 3,515
Justin Verlander – 3,416
Max Scherzer – 3,407
Greg Maddux – 3,371
Phil Niekro – 3,342
Fergie Jenkins – 3,192
Pedro Martínez – 3,154
Bob Gibson – 3,117
Curt Schilling – 3,116
CC Sabathia – 3,093
John Smoltz – 3,084
Clayton Kershaw – 3,000* (and counting)

With his incorporation, Kershaw is only the fourth left-hander to reach 3,000 strikeouts (alongside Sabathia, Carlton and Johnson), and the third to achieve it playing his entire career with a single team, after Walter Johnson (Senators) and Bob Gibson (Cardinals). His feat not only highlights the consistency and talent he has shown since his debut in 2008, but also establishes him as one of the most influential pitchers of his generation and a “future Hall of Fame member” without discussion.

“I don’t have big words, except that it was something really special,” said an emotional Kershaw after the ovation at Dodger Stadium. And it is that few figures in baseball have as much weight as that of the 3,000 strikeout.

With several active pitchers far from reaching the mark, it’s possible that Clayton Kershaw will be the last one in a good while to join this legendary club.