Clayton Kershaw is about to write a new chapter in his already legendary career. With five strikeouts on Thursday, June 26 against the Colorado Rockies, the Dodgers left-hander reached 2,997 career strikeouts in the Major Leagues and is just three away from joining one of baseball's most exclusive clubs: the 3,000-strikeout club.

In the more than 100 years of MLB history, only 19 pitchers have managed to reach that milestone, making the achievement a symbol of excellence, durability, and dominance on the mound.

Kershaw, who is already considered one of the best starters of his generation, has the opportunity to join a list that includes legends such as Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, and Pedro Martínez.

Nolan Ryan, the unattainable strikeout king

Topping the all-time list is Nolan Ryan, who was not only the first to reach 5,000 strikeouts, but He finished his career with a seemingly otherworldly tally of 5,714 strikeouts between 1966 and 1993. Only three others have surpassed 4,000: Randy Johnson (4,875), Roger Clemens (4,672), and Steve Carlton (4,136).

The list goes on to include names that have made history in different decades: Tom Seaver (3,640), Bert Blyleven (3,701), Don Sutton (3,574), and legends like Walter Johnson, who struck out 3,509 opponents between 1907 and 1927.

Recently, some assets like Justin Verlander (3,468) and Max Scherzer (3,412) have already joined the club, and health permitting, Kershaw will be the next to join.

One step closer to immortality

Victory A 3-1 win over the Rockies not only brought Kershaw closer to that personal milestone, but also reinforced the Dodgers' strong run. The Los Angeles team notched their tenth consecutive victory over Colorado, including six this season. Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman chipped in, and Shohei Ohtani hit his 28th home run to seal the comeback.