Tom Gordon Calls Clayton Kershaw a First-Ballot Hall of Famer

SEATTLE, Washington — Former MLB pitcher Tom Gordon praised Clayton Kershaw, stating that the Los Angeles Dodgers ace deserves to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Gordon’s comments came during an interview with Fox News Digital as Kershaw prepares to retire after the season.

Kershaw, 37, has built a remarkable career with a 2.53 ERA over his 18 seasons, the lowest for any pitcher in the live-ball era among those with at least 1,000 innings pitched. Gordon, who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball, emphasized Kershaw’s exceptional talent.

“If he’s not a first ballot Hall of Famer, then I didn’t play 21 years in the league,” Gordon told Fox News Digital. “He’s been an elite athlete and carried the Dodgers on his back for years.” Gordon closely followed Kershaw’s career, especially as his son, Dee Strange-Gordon, played for the Dodgers from 2012 to 2015.

“I learned from being around great pitchers that when you have someone like Clayton, it elevates everyone’s game,” Gordon said. He compared Kershaw to legends such as Roger Clemens and Pedro Martinez, noting that he’s in their caliber.

Kershaw joined the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club earlier this season and is one of 11 pitchers to win the Cy Young Award three times. He led the National League in ERA five times and won World Series championships with the Dodgers in 2020 and 2024.

As the Dodgers lead their National League Division Series 2-0, Kershaw remains available in the bullpen, having posted an 11-2 record and a 3.36 ERA this season.

“It would be amazing for him to end his career with one more World Series championship,” Gordon said. “That would be icing on the cake.”

The Dodgers are set to play Game 3 of the NLDS at 9:08 p.m. ET on Wednesday.