Clayton Kershaw Continues To Hold Historic Mark

We can analyze pitching using multiple stats and modern metrics.

ERA+, ERA-, FIP, xFIP, xERA, SIERA, Stuff+, whiff rate, xwOBA… you name it.

They are all useful.

Still, ERA remains one of the most straightforward ways to evaluate run prevention.

And when it comes to ERA and run prevention, this generation has not seen anyone like Clayton Kershaw.

The Los Angeles Dodgers legend is currently sidelined after undergoing shoulder surgery, and is a free agent.

He is reportedly targeting midseason for his return to the mound, and if the Dodgers aren’t bringing him back (they still might), teams should be lining up for him.

He not only has the lowest ERA among active starters with a minimum of 100 starts, but it’s also the best in a really long time.

“Clayton Kershaw’s 2.48 career ERA is the lowest of any AL/NL pitcher with at least 100 starts in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920),” Baseball Reference tweeted.

Clayton Kershaw’s 2.48 career ERA is the lowest of any AL/NL pitcher with at least 100 starts in the Live-Ball Era (since 1920).#MLB | #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/j3npqx5XdT

— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) January 25, 2024

When your performance transcends time, different eras, and circumstances and is still elite and top of the league, you are a bona fide star and a future Hall of Famer.

Even if he chooses to retire today (he won’t), Kershaw has more than enough to enter Cooperstown as a first-ballot guy and probably unanimously.

He is a former three-time Cy Young winner (2011, 2013 and 2014) and even an MVP award winner in 2014.

He has gone to 10 All-Star Games and won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers.

The baseball universe is eager to watch him make his long-awaited comeback and join a contender to look for that elusive second Fall Classic.

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