Kershaw appreciates his latest All-Star Game selection while understanding its unusual circumstances
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after striking out Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning for his 3,000th career strikeout Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) tips his cap to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strikeout against Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) tips his cap to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strikeout against Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning to strike him out for his 3,000th career strikeout Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after striking out Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning for his 3,000th career strikeout Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) tips his cap to the crowd after recording his 3,000th career strikeout against Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning of a baseball game Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw appreciates his 11th career All-Star Game selection while acknowledging this one's a little different from the rest.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner has made only nine starts this season but still got selected to the National League team as a Legend Pick by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, under a provision in the collective bargaining agreement.
Advertisement
'You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,' Kershaw said Monday before the Dodgers played the Milwaukee Brewers. 'Obviously, I don't deserve to get to go this season. I haven't pitched very much.'
This marked the first time Manfred made a Legend Pick for the All-Star Game since 2022, when Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols both received that designation.
'I didn't really actually know that was a thing,' Kershaw said. 'At the end of the day, it's weird, but it's cool, so I'm just going to enjoy it.'
The honor comes less than a week after Kershaw recorded his 3,000th career strikeout, becoming just the 20th pitcher to reach that plateau. He's in his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Hall of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat and shortstop Bill Russell for the franchise record.
Advertisement
The 37-year-old left-hander didn't make his season debut until May 17 as he worked his way back from toe and knee surgeries. He also had undergone shoulder surgery after the 2023 season.
He owns a 4-0 record and 3.43 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 44 2/3 innings.
'I think it's mixed,' Kershaw said. 'I think there's some good and some bad. I think it's helpful to be able to get the reps, go back out and be able to feel OK in between starts to work on some stuff and try to figure out some things mechanically and pitch-wise and stuff. I'd say overall, I wouldn't say I'm happy, but I wouldn't say I'm disappointed, either. Just kind of right in the middle.'
All these career milestones naturally lead to questions about Kershaw's legacy and future. Kershaw says he's just focusing on the here and now.
Advertisement
'I don't know what's going to happen in the future,' he said. 'I really have no idea when it comes to the years beyond this one, so I'm just trying to enjoy it, trying to be part of a really good team this year. We've still got a lot to accomplish, and we still have October. It's really hard to look at stuff individually when you're trying to accomplish something as a team.'
But he still appreciates this latest honor, no matter how he was selected.
'I'll never pass up that opportunity,' Kershaw said. 'It's a tremendous honor. Super thankful to get to go. Regardless of the situation or how I maybe snuck into the All-Star Game, it's pretty cool to get to be able to go.'
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Tyler Soderstrom goes 4 for 4 to stretch hitting streak to 19 games as A's sweep Twins with 8-3 win
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Tyler Soderstrom went 4 for 4 to stretch his hitting streak to 19 straight games, and the Athletics swept the Minnesota Twins with an 8-3 victory on Thursday. Lawrence Butler had a three-run double, Brent Rooker added an RBI double and Nick Kurtz hit his 26th homer of the season for the young A's, who have won eight of their last 11 games and are 18-13 since the All-Star break. Soderstrom, who also walked to reach base all five times he batted, logged his first career four-hit game. He's batting .370 with eight doubles, four homers and 14 RBIs in 73 at-bats during his hitting streak, which is the longest active run in the majors. A's rookie Jack Perkins (3-2) won his third straight start, allowing two runs in five innings, and Osvaldo Bido earned a three-inning save to finish the first sweep of the Twins since Milwaukee won all three games at Target Field from June 20-22. Twins stopgap starter José Ureña (0-1) took the loss by giving up six runs in five innings. Royce Lewis had an RBI double among just five hits for the Twins, who saw Brooks Lee's streak of six straight games with an extra-base hit end. Key moment Kurtz, the fourth overall pick in the 2024 draft who is the runaway favorite for the American League Rookie of the Year Award, sent a 1-0 sinker from reliever Michael Tonkin in the sixth inning an estimated 425 feet into the junipers behind center field. Key stat Ureña committed the 14th throwing error by a Twins pitcher this season. That's the second-most in the majors behind Colorado (22), according to Sportradar. Up next The A's send out RHP Luis Morales to start a three-game series in Seattle on Friday, when the Twins begin a three-game series in Chicago with RHP Zebby Matthews on the mound. ___ AP MLB:
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Ben Johnson's Bears' tightest brotherhood isn't where you'd expect
Ben Johnson's Bears' tightest brotherhood isn't where you'd expect originally appeared on The Sporting News Chicago Bears fans are gearing up with high hopes for the team starting next month. The big reason? Coach Ben Johnson and his knack for running a high-powered offense. Fans are excited and hopeful that this style of play will bring some serious rewards on the field. The players are quickly adjusting to Johnson's high demands, and every position is pushing to be the best. Surprisingly, a veteran and a rookie have formed a camaraderie that might catch many off guard: tight ends Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland. Back in April, plenty of people raised eyebrows when the Bears picked Loveland 10th overall in the draft. Many assumed the rookie would have to compete with Kmet for a spot on the team. But that's not how it's playing out. Both are set to have important roles on the field at the same time. On Thursday, ESPN's Courtney Cronin shared that the TEs will be a key piece of the Bears' offensive puzzle, and everyone got a glimpse of that during Chicago's 38-0 preseason win over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. Quarterback Caleb Williams targeted Loveland and Kmet on the first two plays. Loveland, the top tight end taken in the 2025 draft, is already impressing in varied roles from in-line to slot receiver. He said, "That's a great thing about this offense. You can be anywhere, receiver, tight end, running back. Being able to learn the whole offense and be put in positions maybe you weren't put in, that's a blessing for sure." Ben Johnson's system is built to exploit flexibility, and Loveland and Kmet's bond has been a standout. Tight ends coach Jim Dray said, "I've never seen a level of camaraderie and brotherhood before in a tight end room." There may be some concerns about balancing production among multiple pass catchers, but this is Johnson's team. With his high-powered offense, anyone has the chance to shine. It might not happen for everyone every game, but when the offense lights up and starts clicking, every player will have their moment in the spotlight. Fans might see both Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland putting up great numbers in 2025.
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
PREVIEW: Steelers at Panthers Preseason Gameday
This article originally appeared on The Pittsburgh Steelers will wrap up their 2025 preseason early on Thursday night, traveling to Charlotte to take on the Carolina Panthers in a renewal of the preseason rivalry. STEELERS INJURY UPDATES Quarterback Will Howard (right pinky finger), wide receiver Calvin Austin III (abdominal), wide receiver Ben Skowronek (toe), tight end Jonnu Smith (knee), tackle Calvin Anderson (lower body soft-tissue), guard Aidan Williams (left knee), outside linebacker Alex Highsmith (groin), outside linebacker Nick Herbig (hamstring), cornerback Cory Trice (hamstring), cornerback Donte Kent (right foot/ankle) and long snapper Christian Kuntz (sternum) have all been dealing with injuries and seem unlikely to play, though Mike Tomlin did not specifically rule any of them out. Center Ryan McCollum (leg) and cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (hand) have also not participated in a preseason game, but appear to be close to healthy and could play tonight. The only players that have been officially ruled out by Mike Tomlin are veterans Aaron Rodgers, DK Metcalf, Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt. Click here to read more from Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
