Dodgers fans stunned by who's missing from Clayton Kershaw's 3,000th strikeout moment

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw reached the 3,000 strikeout plateau on Wednesday night in front of a packed house at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw became the 20th player in Major League Baseball history with 3,000 strikeouts, but something was missing.

The stage was set. Kershaw entered the game just a few Ks away from the historical mark, and he got No. 3,000 on his 100th pitch of the game. In classic Kershaw-fashion, the southpaw delivered a 1-2 pitch that caught the outside corner and home plate umpire Jim Wolf rung up Chicago White Sox infielder Vinny Capra.

Joe Davis was missing from Clayton Kershaw's 3,000th strikeout moment, but Dodgers fans still gave a standing ovation

Unfortunately, longtime play-by-play voice of the Dodgers, Joe Davis, was not on the call, and fans noticed. Davis, who's now in his eighth season as a member of the Dodgers broadcast team, has become a part-time play-by-play commentator and was absent in perhaps one of the biggest regular season moments since his arrival in LA.

Davis succeed beloved Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully in 2017, but he's only been on hand for a maximum of 90 games per season. Davis replaced longtime FOX broadcaster Joe Buck as one of the lead NFL play-by-play commentators in 2022 and is also the lead voice for MLB on FOX.

But even without Davis in attendance, Kershaw received the standing ovation from the LA faithful that he rightfully deserved. As he strolled toward the dugout, Kershaw lifted the cap from his head to salute the fans at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw blew kisses and waved to his family in attendance, and as he walked off the field, was congratulated by his teammates and coaches.

Clayton Kershaw's Hall of Fame résumé is complete

Kershaw was the first pitcher since Max Scherzer in 2021 to reach 3,000 strikeouts and has put an exclamation point on his eventual enshrinement in Cooperstown. Kershaw is the fourth left-hander to complete the feat and just the third to do so with one organization. Walter Johnson (Washington Senators) and Bob Gibson (St. Louis Cardinals) are the other two.

Kershaw's legacy was solidified long before strikeout No. 3,000, but his place among the greats of the game is now set in stone. Kershaw has three NL Cy Young Awards, an MVP Award, 10 All-Star appearances, five ERA titles, and two World Series championships. Only one pitcher who's eclipsed 3,000 Ks is absent from the Hall of Fame, and that's Curt Schilling.

Kershaw and the Dodgers will be looking for yet another championship this season, and with an eight-game lead in the NL West and the best record in baseball, they're well on their way. Davis may not have been in attendance on Wednesday, but the night belonged Kershaw.

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