Clayton Kershaw: All-Time Best Left-Handed Pitcher? WAR Rankings

Clayton Kershaw, the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers ace, just made it official—he’s retiring at the end of the 2025 season. That’ll close the book on one of the most remarkable careers in Major League Baseball.

From his debut in 2008 to his final pitch, Kershaw hasn’t just defined a generation of Dodgers baseball. He’s etched his name among the game’s immortal left-handed pitchers.

With over 3,000 strikeouts, multiple titles, and a career spent entirely in Dodger blue, his legacy is both statistical and emotional. He leaves an enduring mark on the sport—there’s really no other way to put it.

Clayton Kershaw’s Incredible Career Achievements

The Dodgers drafted Kershaw in 2006, and he debuted just two years later. He quickly became a dominant force on the mound.

His career numbers tell the story of his precision, dominance, and longevity. You could stare at his stats all day and still be impressed.

Key Stats and Accolades

Over 18 seasons with the Dodgers, Kershaw built a resume most pitchers only dream about:

• 222 career wins – that’s skill and consistency, plain and simple
• 3,039 strikeouts – hitters dreaded facing him
• 2.54 career ERA – sustained excellence over nearly two decades
• Three Cy Young Awards
• 2014 NL Most Valuable Player
• Five ERA titles
• Two World Series championships

Kershaw’s Place Among the Greatest Left-Handed Pitchers

USA Today’s rankings, using career WAR (Wins Above Replacement) from Baseball Reference, put Kershaw sixth all-time among lefties. That’s no small thing, considering the depth of talent in MLB history.

Historical Comparisons

The all-time leader, Lefty Grove, posted 113.2 WAR, 300 wins, and nine ERA titles between 1925 and 1941. Right behind him, Randy Johnson racked up 103.5 WAR and a staggering 4,875 career strikeouts.

Braves legend Warren Spahn sits third at 92.6 WAR. Then there’s Deadball Era ace Eddie Plank and Phillies great Steve Carlton rounding out the top five.

Kershaw’s 77.9 WAR puts him ahead of Hall of Famers like Tom Glavine (74.0), Carl Hubbell (68.8), Tommy John (62.1), and CC Sabathia (61.8). That cements his status as more than just a Dodgers icon—he’s one of the most dominant southpaws ever to take the mound.

A Career Defined by Consistency and Loyalty

Player movement is the norm these days, but Kershaw stayed with one team for his entire career. The Dodgers drafted him, nurtured his talent, and watched him deliver year after year.

The Intangible Legacy

Numbers aside, Kershaw’s professionalism, leadership, and commitment have shaped generations of players. His postseason performances drew criticism early on, but he ended up delivering unforgettable moments—especially in those World Series runs.

Baseball loves numbers, but it’s the stories and the emotion that stick. For Kershaw, his legacy is fierce competitiveness, remarkable skill, and unwavering loyalty to Los Angeles.

What Comes Next for Kershaw and the Dodgers?

As the 2025 season winds down, each start feels like another stop on a farewell tour for one of baseball’s all-time greats. There’ll be celebrations and tributes, maybe even a last postseason push that adds another twist to his already incredible career.

For the Dodgers, nobody can really replace a talent like Kershaw. His influence sticks around in the pitchers he’s mentored and the high bar he set for the whole organization.

Clayton Kershaw’s final pitch might be just around the corner, but let’s be honest—his place in baseball history is already locked in.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Is Clayton Kershaw the best left-handed pitcher of all time? Rankings by WAR.