Latest news with #ClaytonKershaw
Los Angeles Times
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
The Sports Report: Dino Ebel turns out to be key man on NL All-Star team
From Jack Harris: Technically, there was no winning pitcher in Major League Baseball's 95th All-Star Game. The man who gave up the night's biggest swings, however, was probably as deserving as any. As the American League stormed back from a 6-0 deficit in Tuesday's Midsummer Classic, a rarely contemplated reality started to dawn in both dugouts. Three years ago, MLB changed its rules for how to break ties in its annual marquee event, instituting a home run 'swing-off' to be conducted at the conclusion of the ninth inning. Each team selected three players, who each got three swings. Whichever team hit the most home runs in those nine swings wins the game. Enter Dino Ebel — veteran Dodgers' third base coach — and, now, victorious pitcher in the inaugural All-Star Game swing-off. 'What an exciting moment, I think, for baseball, for all the people that stayed, who watched on television, everything,' Ebel said, after teeing up the NL hitters for a 4-3 win in the home run swing-off, and a 7-6 win overall in the All-Star Game. Continue reading here ———— From Jack Harris: In a week where so much of the focus was on players who weren't playing in the All-Star Game, and those who were selected that weren't seen as deserving, it was the player who had been in more Midsummer Classics than anyone else who delivered the most profound reminder. Before the start of Major League Baseball's 95th All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, National League manager Dave Roberts called upon longtime Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw to speak in the clubhouse. And in an impromptu pregame speech as the team's elder statesman, Kershaw imparted the most important lesson he's learned from his 11 All-Star Games. 'The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players,' Kershaw recounted when asked about his message to the team. 'It's a lot of travel, it's a lot of stress, chaos, family, all this stuff.' 'But,' the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer added, 'it's meaningful, it's impactful for the game, it's important for the game. We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So to be here, to realize your responsibility to the sport is important … And I just said I was super honored to be part of it.' Continue reading here All-Star Game box score Shaikin: Live from Atlanta: The next front in the war between MLB owners and players Amid immigration raids, MLBPA advises players to keep legal documents with them Rob Manfred: MLB won't cancel the 2028 All-Star Game for the Olympics From Jack Harris: The hierarchy of stars was obvious even in the table arrangements. At an All-Star Game media day event on Monday at the Roxy Coca-Cola Theater in Atlanta, the Dodgers' five All-Star representatives were in the same area of the large venue. In the first row, basking under large spotlights near an elevated stage, Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Clayton Kershaw were positioned front and center, expected to attract so many reporters that retractable ropes lined the perimeter of their podiums. Several feet behind them, in the shadows of a balcony overhang, sat Will Smith and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. An obvious A-List, followed by a clear B-group. And even then, where Yamamoto's media contingent stretched several rows deep, Smith's rarely swelled beyond a few people. He was a third-time All-Star, National League starter and batting title contender — once again relegated to the background of the sport's public consciousness. 'He's up there as far as being overlooked,' Dodgers manager and NL All-Star skipper Dave Roberts said of his ever-present but easily forgotten backstop. 'You know what you're going to get, but you probably don't appreciate it as much as you should.' Appreciated, Smith has not been this year. Not fully, at the very least. Continue reading here From Chuck Schilken: The Chargers are going for the gold this season. Or are they going for the mustard bottle? Or the banana? Fans will be able to figure that out for themselves this fall when the team debuts its 'Charger Power' uniforms, one of two alternate looks revealed by the team Tuesday that will be worn during the 2025 season. The Chargers also announced that they now have the option to wear powder blue pants with their regular jerseys, which are powder blue at home and white on the road. Continue reading here From Kelvin Kuo: AVP, the biggest and longest-running professional volleyball league, hosted beach volleyball matches for the first time in an NBA arena last weekend. Hosted at the Intuit Dome, crews were tasked with bringing 300 tons of sand from a quarry in Palm Springs, which is roughly 16 truckloads. AVP is looking for creative ways to attract a new audiences to the sport, often hosting its marquee volleyball events in unconventional locations. A wooden sandbox was constructed to contain the pre-washed sand and form a single court. It took the crew, which consists of about 150 people for a change over a typical event at Intuit Dome, five hours after the conclusion of the event to ready the arena for Clippers season ticket-holders the following day. Click here to watch video of the transformation. LAFC defender Aaron Long will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles. The team — which said the surgery was successful — made the announcement on Tuesday, three days after Long was injured in the 76th minute of a 2-0 win over Dallas. The 32-year-old Long is in his third season with LAFC and has started all 15 games this year, scoring one goal. He's started 60 games for the club over the last three seasons. Continue reading here Commentary: 2026 FIFA World Cup dress rehearsal exposes the big problem of extreme heat From Ira Gorawara: Dearica Hamby lined up for one of those last-second launches as the first-half clock dipped toward zero. The ball clanged off the front rim, appearing short — until backspin carried it to the back iron for a second bounce. With Julie Allemand holding her knees and Kelsey Plum already prancing away, the ball kissed the rim twice more. And, finally, after a two-second pause that held the whole arena hostage, the ball dropped. Hamby fell with it, her teammates swarming to lift her as Arena erupted for what was perhaps the Sparks' finest half of basketball of the season in a 99-80 stomping of the Washington Mystics. 'No one on our team would want anyone to hit a buzzer beater more from three than Dearica,' Plum said. 'We were just all super excited, and especially the way it rolled in — it was very, like, climactic. … It was a great moment and it just represented the style we're trying to play moving forward.' Continue reading here Sparks box score WNBA standings The WNBA players' union and league officials have much to discuss when they sit down this week for their first in-person talks as a group since December about the new collective bargaining agreement. After sharing initial proposals, the two sides apparently are far apart in the early negotiations as they prepare for their first face-to-face meeting that includes the players executive council in Indianapolis on Thursday heading into All-Star weekend. 'We got a proposal from the league, which was honestly a slap in the face,' Phoenix Mercury forward and union rep Satou Sabally said. Increased salaries, revenue sharing and roster size are three areas where the union expect to see major changes from the current CBA that will expire at the end of this season after the players decided to opt out last year. Nearly all the players who aren't on rookie scale contracts right now will be free agents after this season and looking for big salary increases. Continue reading here Expansion WNBA team brings back the original Portland Fire name 1920 — The United States sweeps Australia in five matches to win the Davis Cup for the first time since 1913. The U.S. team is made up of Bill Tilden and Bill Johnston. 1938 — Paul Runyan wins the PGA Championship by routing Sam Snead 8 and 7 in the final round. 1947 — Rocky Graziano scores a technical knockout with a barrage of 30 punches against Tony Zale in the sixth round to win the world middleweight boxing title. Held in Chicago Stadium, it's the largest grossing fight in history. 1950 — Uruguay beats Brazil 2-1 to win soccer's World Cup in Rio de Janeiro. 1967 — Kathy Whitworth wins the LPGA championship by one stroke over Shirley Englehorn. Whitworth sinks a fifty-foot uphill putt for a birdie on the 18th green at Pleasant Valley Country Club in Sutton, Mass. 1989 — Betsy King birdies three of the first four holes of the final round to win her first U.S. Women's Open championship by four strokes over Nancy Lopez. 1993 — Nick Faldo ties the best single round in 122 years of the British Open with a course-record 63 to give him a one-stroke lead after the second round. 1995 — Annika Sorenstam of Sweden wins the U.S. Women's Open by one stroke over Meg Mallon, her first victory on the LPGA Tour. 2005 — In Las Vegas, Jermain Taylor beats Bernard Hopkins for the undisputed middleweight title. Hopkins, a winner of a record 20 consecutive defenses, starts slowly and the undefeated challenger builds up a big enough lead on two judges' scorecards to take the crown. 2006 — J.R. Todd becomes the first Bblack driver to win an NHRA Top Fuel event, beating Tony Schumacher in the Mopar Mile-High Nationals. 2011 — Kyle Busch wins the Nationwide race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway to become the third driver to win 100 races in NASCAR's three national series. Busch, with 22 Cup victories and 29 Trucks wins, also ties Mark Martin for first place in career Nationwide Series victories with 49. Richard Petty and David Pearson are the other drivers with at least 100 wins. 2012 — Roger Federer surpasses Pete Sampras to set the record for the most weeks at No. 1 in the ATP rankings. After winning Wimbledon a week ago — his 75th career ATP title — Federer returns to the top for the first time since June 2010. Today marks his 287th week at No. 1, one more than Sampras. 2017 — Roger Federer defeated Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-1, 6-4, to claim a record 8th Wimbledon men's title. 2023 — Wimbledon Men's Tennis: In a classic final, 20-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz ends Novak Đoković's 34-match win streak at the All England Club with a 1-6, 7-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-4 victory. 1897 — Chicago's Cap Anson became the first major leaguer to reach 3,000 hits when he singled off Baltimore's George Blackburn. 1902 — John McGraw was named manager of the New York Giants, a post he would hold for 30 years. 1909 — Ed Summers of the Detroit Tigers allowed only seven hits and pitched all 18 innings of a 0-0 tie with the Washington Senators, the longest scoreless game in AL history. 1920 — Babe Ruth broke his own season record of 29 homers with his 30th as the New York Yankees beat the St. Louis Browns, 5-2. Ruth would finish the season with 54. 1933 — Red Lucas of the Cincinnati Reds pitched a 15-inning 1-0 win over Roy Parmelee and the New York Giants in the opener of a doubleheader. 1941 — Joe DiMaggio extended his hitting streak to 56 games with a 3-for-4 day as the New York Yankees beat the Cleveland Indians 10-3. 1958 — In the nitecap of a doubleheader, Baltimore pitcher Jack Harshman hit two homers in a 6-5 win over the Chicago White Sox. 1970 — The Cincinnati Reds beat the Pirates 3-2 before 48,846 in the first game at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium. 1985 — Sparky Anderson became the first manager to lose an All-Star Game in both leagues. The National League won 6-1 for the 21st win in the last 23 games. 1996 — Colorado's streak of scoring seven runs in a game ended at 11. The Rockies beat the Giants 5-3 and tied the 1911 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1938 New York Yankees and 1976 Cincinnati Reds with 11 7-run games. 1997 — Kevin Brown pitched his first career one-hitter to lead Florida to 5-1 win over the Dodgers. Brown, who no-hit San Francisco on June 10th, faced two batters over the minimum and allowed a lead-off single to left by Raul Mondesi in the fifth. He struck out eight and retired his final 15 batters. 1998 — Randy Johnson pitched a one-hitter to lead Seattle to a 3-0 win over Minnesota. Johnson struck out 11 and gave up a single to third baseman Brent Gates. 2006 — Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer in Atlanta's 10-5 win at San Diego to give him an extra-base hit in 14 straight games, tying a 79-year-old major league record. Jones tied the record set in 1927 by Pittsburgh's Paul Waner. 2006 — Mariano Rivera earned his 400th save, escaping two jams and getting six outs to preserve the New York Yankees' 6-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Rivera joined Lee Smith, Trevor Hoffman and John Franco in the 400-save club. 2009 — Philadelphia Phillies slugger Ryan Howard became the fastest player in major league history to reach 200 career home runs, breaking the record previously held by Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner. Howard reached 200 homers in his 658th game, hitting his 23rd of the season in the sixth inning of a 4-0 win over Florida. Kiner hit No. 200 in his 706th game. 2013 — Mariano Rivera pitched a perfect eighth inning in his final All-Star appearance, Jose Bautista, J.J. Hardy and Jason Kipnis drove in runs to back a night of pulsating pitching, and the American League beat the National League 3-0. 2015 — Brock Holt became the first Boston player to hit for the cycle since 1996 and the Red Sox slugged their way out to a 9-4 victory over Atlanta. 2021 — Jake Cronenworth hit for his first career cycle, Wil Myers had a grand slam and a two-run shot and the San Diego Padres set a franchise record for runs in a 24-8 blowout of the Washington Nationals. Compiled by the Associated Press That concludes today's newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you'd like to see, email me at To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Clayton Kershaw is the All-Star among All-Stars as NL defeats AL
Clayton Kershaw and Will Smith bump gloves when Kershaw leaves the game during second inning. (Brynn Anderson / Associated Press) In a week where so much of the focus was on players who weren't playing in the All-Star Game, and those who were selected that weren't seen as deserving, it was the player who had been in more Midsummer Classics than anyone else who delivered the most profound reminder. Before the start of Major League Baseball's 95th All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, National League manager Dave Roberts called upon longtime Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw to speak in the clubhouse. Advertisement And in an impromptu pregame speech as the team's elder statesman, Kershaw imparted the most important lesson he's learned from his 11 All-Star Games. 'The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players,' Kershaw recounted when asked about his message to the team. 'It's a lot of travel, it's a lot of stress, chaos, family, all this stuff.' 'But,' the 37-year-old future Hall of Famer added, 'it's meaningful, it's impactful for the game, it's important for the game. We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So to be here, to realize your responsibility to the sport is important … And I just said I was super honored to be part of it.' Kershaw, admittedly, was picked for this year's game for more sentimental reasons than anything. Advertisement After making only 10 starts in the first half of the year following offseason foot and knee surgeries, the future Hall of Famer was shoehorned in as a 'Legend Pick' by commissioner Rob Manfred, getting the nod a week after becoming the 20th pitcher in MLB with 3,000 strikeouts. Read more: Shaikin: Live from Atlanta: The next front in the war between MLB owners and players The honor made Kershaw feel awkward, with the three-time Cy Young Award winner repeatedly joking that he hadn't really deserved to return to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2023, despite his 4-1 record and 3.38 ERA so far this season. At first, he acknowledged, he even had a little hesitancy about participating in this week's festivities in Atlanta. Advertisement 'My initial response was just, you don't ever want to take somebody's spot,' he said. 'You don't ever want to be a side show.' A side show, however, Kershaw was not. Instead, as the man with the most All-Star selections of anyone in this year's game (and the fourth-most by a pitcher), Kershaw was at the center of one of the most memorable moments from the National League's win on a tiebreaking home run derby after a 6-6 tie. Upon entering the game at the start of the second inning, he retired the first two batters he faced; the latter, a strikeout looking of Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He then turned to the dugout to see Roberts coming to get him, ending what could very well be his final appearance in the Midsummer Classic (even though, he has made a point of noting, he has not made any decision on retirement after the season). Advertisement And as he exited the mound, he was serenaded with one of the night's loudest ovations, waving a hand in appreciation before blowing a kiss to his family in the stands. 'I didn't anticipate to be here. I definitely didn't anticipate to pitch,' Kershaw said. 'So it was awesome. So thankful for it now.' Many others in Atlanta felt the same way about sharing the week with Kershaw. Shohei Ohtani watches his base hit during the first inning. (Brynn Anderson / Associated Press) NL starter Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates had the locker next to Kershaw in the Truist Park clubhouse, and joked his only hope was that veteran left-hander wouldn't get sick of him by the end of the event. 'He's such a class act, it's just so impressive,' Skenes said. 'We were in the waiting room before the red carpet today, and he had all his kids, and watching him as dad too, it was a cool experience.' Advertisement San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb recalled his memories of watching Kershaw while growing up in Northern California. 'I just respect him so much, watching him pitch,' Webb said. 'You could've asked me five years ago, and you could've said Clayton Kershaw was a legend already. He is a legend. I'm just happy I'm able to share a clubhouse with him.' Kershaw's lighter side was on display Tuesday, as well, with the pitcher mic'd up with the Fox broadcast team for his brief outing. 'I'm gonna try to throw some cheese real quick, hold on,' he joked while unleashing an 89-mph fastball to Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, which turned into a lineout in left thanks to a diving effort from Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs. Advertisement 'Hey!' Kershaw exclaimed. 'That was sick.' On his first pitch to Guerrero, Kershaw threw another fastball that the Blue Jays' star took for a strike. 'Right down the middle,' Kershaw said. 'I'm so glad he didn't swing.' When Guerrero got to a 1-and-1 count after a curveball in the dirt, Kershaw contemplated his next pitch. 'I think I probably gotta go slider,' he said. 'Let's see what Will thinks.' Behind the plate, teammate Will Smith instead called for a curveball. 'Nope, he wants curveball again,' Kershaw laughed. 'All right, fine.' Read more: Rob Manfred: MLB won't cancel the 2028 All-Star Game for the Olympics Advertisement Guerrero swung through it — 'Oh, got him,' he said — before freezing on a slider two pitches later for a called third strike. 'I'm getting blown up by former teammates saying, 'Wow, you've changed so much,' and they're right,' Kershaw joked afterward, acknowledging his once-fiery demeanor never would have allowed him to embrace an in-game interview like that. 'I don't think I would've ever done that [in the past]. But it was actually kind of fun.' Really, that was the theme of Kershaw's whole week. Reluctantly accepting his stature as one of the game's most decorated players. Accepting an invitation designed to honor his career accomplishments. And providing a reminder of the All-Star Game's meaning, in what will perhaps be his last time on such a stage. Advertisement 'It's a very awesome, special thing to get to come to All-Star Games,' he said. 'I remember the first one, how special that was. And I don't think a lot has changed for me over the years to get to come to these things. So I don't take that for granted. I think it's really awesome. I mean, I shouldn't be here anyway, so it's very possible this could be my last one. So it was just a very awesome night, special.' Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
New York Times
14 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
In an All-Star Game ruled by youth, Clayton Kershaw receives touching tribute
ATLANTA — The faces of MLB's next generation stepped onto the mound to begin the 2025 All-Star Game, but by the end of the night, everyone was paying homage to the generation before. Clayton Kershaw, in his 11th All-Star Game appearance, took over for Pittsburgh Pirates flamethrower Paul Skenes in the second inning Tuesday night at Truist Park. The National League beat the American League in a swing-off after the ninth inning ended in a 6-6 tie, but what could be the final All-Star Game for a living legend dominated nearly every conversation in press conferences from players across the league. Advertisement Kershaw, who recently became the fourth left-handed pitcher to amass 3,000 strikeouts, made quick work of Cal Raleigh and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for his first two outs before NL manager Dave Roberts pulled him from the game. Kershaw — 4-1 with a 3.38 ERA in 10 starts this season — was at this game because he was a so-called legend pick from the commissioner's office. Before Tuesday, he felt strange about being the recipient of such an honor. 'My initial response was just, you don't ever want to take somebody's spot or you don't ever want to be a sideshow,' Kershaw said. 'You just want to be a part of it because you deserve it.' By the end, Kershaw said he was glad he was there. As he walked back into the dugout after striking out Guerrero, Kershaw received a standing ovation from the Truist Park crowd. He blew kisses to his family in the stands. Jason Adam, a reliever on the rival San Diego Padres and admirer of Kershaw, replaced the left-hander in the game. Adam retired Ryan O'Hearn to end the inning. 'I told Clayton afterwards, I said, 'That was one of the coolest experiences of my career,'' Adam said. 'Getting to come after him, thankful he didn't leave anyone on base for me.' Hours before he pitched in an All-Star game for the eighth time in his career, Kershaw had talked about the crop of dominant young pitchers who rule today's game. Skenes and American League starter Tarik Skubal have become dominant forces. Jacob Misiorowski was among the big subjects of All-Star week. Garrett Crochet and Mackenzie Gore are among other left-handers thriving. Kershaw sees the talent and the game's evolution. 'I never threw that hard,' he joked. Kershaw represents a different breed. In an era where pitchers are often injured and their innings protected like never before, Kershaw could be the last pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts anytime soon. He is a three-time Cy Young winner with 216 wins to his name. Pitchers like Skubal — who was a bit starstruck when he met Kershaw this year at Dodger Stadium — grew up viewing him as a titan of the game. Skenes relished talking with Kershaw on Tuesday. 'He's such a class act,' Skenes said. 'It's just so impressive, obviously what he's done in the game but the human that he is.' Before Tuesday's All-Star Game, Roberts had Kershaw speak to the NL team in a pregame meeting. Kershaw talked about the honor of the All-Star Game and thanked players for making the effort to be on site. Kershaw is tied with Mike Trout for the most All-Star selections of any active player. Advertisement 'The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for players,' Kershaw said. 'It's a lot of travel. It's a lot of stress, chaos, family, all the stuff, but it's meaningful. It's impactful for the game. It's important for the game. We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So to be here, to realize your responsibility in the sport, is important.' Adam called Kershaw 'the best in the game,' and showed his appreciation for Kershaw doing exactly that, giving up his break to be there. '(To) come here and do this for the game of baseball and be here with us and lead us was really special.' After speaking to media members after his outing, Kershaw exited the Truist Park interview room. That's when part of the generation before added another link to chain that connects players across time. Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez stopped Kershaw and told him, 'I'll see you in Cooperstown, bro.'
New York Post
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Clayton Kershaw trolls Cal Raleigh after getting him out in All-Star Game: ‘Suck it, Big Dumper!'
Whoever came up with the idea to mic up Clayton Kershaw for the MLB All-Star Game deserves a raise. The Dodgers legend produced some fun moments during the Fox broadcast on Tuesday night that included Kershaw playfully jabbing Mariners star Cal Raleigh, aka 'Big Dumper.' Talking to the broadcast team, Kershaw told them to 'hold on: for a moment while throwing a pitch to Raleigh. 'I'm going to try and throw some cheese real quick,' Kershaw said while winding up to throw. National League pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the game during the first inning during the 2025 MLB All Star Game at Truist Park. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect The ball was lined by Raleigh into left field and looked as though it would drop for a hit until Kyle Tucker made a diving catch to save Kershaw's rear end from a big hit. 'That was sick!' Kershaw said while watching Tucker made the snag. After getting the first two batters of the second inning out, the National League All-Stars took Kershaw out of the game. As he was high-fiving his NL teammates, he jokingly shouted at the 2025 Home Run Derby winner, 'Suck it Big Dumper,' twice. Other hilarious moments included Kershaw asking former major league pitcher and current broadcaster John Smoltz what pitch he wanted him to throw. When Smoltz wanted a 'cutter in' it drew a funny response. 'I don't throw a cutter, Smoltzy,' Kershaw answered back. At one point, he also asked what the count was and then marveled at the oddity of talking to the broadcast booth while he was pitching. Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners hits a single during the fourth inning of the MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. Getty Images 'This is so weird talking to you guys. Holy cow,' he said. The NL All-Stars jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Ketel Marte doubled to right field, driving in Shohei Ohtani and Ronald Acuña Jr. Pete Alonso added to the NL lead in the bottom of the sixth when he hit a three-run home run and Corbin Carroll hit a solo shot to make it a 6-0 game.
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Is Clayton Kershaw retiring? Dodgers star receives emotional ovation in possible final All-Star Game
Clayton Kershaw is a bona fide future Hall of Famer, but just how soon his playing career will end has been in question for some time. The Dodgers star, now 37, recently surpassed 3,000 career strikeouts. He's made the decision to return to Los Angeles multiple times, still an effective starting pitcher when he can stay healthy, and in 2025, he was selected as a "legacy pick" for the All-Star Game. Advertisement Because of that distinction and the standing ovation he received mid-game because of it, retirement rumors have never been louder for Kershaw, but is he actually planning on hanging up his cleats soon? 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp Here's what Kershaw has said of his retirement plans, why he was selected as a 2025 All-Star, and more. MORE: Highlights, results from 2025 MLB All-Star Game Is Clayton Kershaw retiring? Despite all the rumors, his age, and the honor he was given as a "legacy" All-Star this season, Kershaw has not confirmed that the 2025 season will be his last. Advertisement He recently said that he has no plans for his future right now, doing his best to focus on where he is right now on a Dodgers team that once again has title aspirations. Kershaw addressed this after a recent game when he surpassed 3,000 strikeouts, as well. "Not to be not appreciative of moments, like because that was a really special night in L.A. I wouldn't change anything that that night was. That was so special,' Kershaw said, per 'But I don't know what is going to happen in the future. I really have no idea when it comes to the years beyond this one. So I'm just trying to enjoy it, be part of a really good team this year. We still have a lot to accomplish. We still have October. It's really hard to look at stuff individually when you're trying to accomplish something as a team." Kershaw also said that he's not "a big look-back guy." While his distinction as an All-Star, in a season where he typically would not have earned the honor, has made it seem like a farewell tour for the longtime ace, Kershaw likely won't be making his future plans known for some time. Advertisement 'You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,' he said, per 'Obviously, I don't deserve to get to go this season. Haven't pitched very much. But everything that it encompasses to go to an All-Star Game, I get to take my family – I'll never pass up that opportunity.' Clayton Kershaw All-Star legacy pick, explained MLB's commissioner, Rob Manfred, has made legacy pick additions to the All-Star rosters in the past. The distinction is meant to celebrate a baseball legend's accomplishments, giving them one last trip to the Midsummer Classic so fans can say farewell, look back on their dominant careers, etc. In 2022, Manfred added Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols to the All-Star rosters with the legacy picks. Kershaw said he was not expecting to be a legacy pick this year, but he was honored. Advertisement "He's very self-aware. He was very surprised," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, per "But I think that the next level of thinking and appreciating who this honor has been given to over [the] years, the legends honor, I think that he understood it sooner. And it's a great honor, and I think that he took it the right way." Manfred's decision to add Kershaw as a legacy pick isn't exactly indicative of the Dodgers pitcher retiring after this season, but either way, he's still late in his career and unlikely to ever earn another All-Star selection. With Kershaw recently notching 3,000 strikeouts, the timing was also meant to celebrate his accomplishments. MORE: How fans reacted to Fox having pitchers, more mic'd up during All-Star Game Clayton Kershaw standing ovation at All-Star Game Kershaw, who was mic'd up while on the mound in the All-Star Game, managed to strike out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. He knew that was likely his last batter, and Roberts then emerged from the dugout to take the legend out of the game. Advertisement "I think that might be it," Kershaw said of his outing before thanking his teammates. Roberts told him to keep the baseball, and Kershaw exited to the Atlanta crowd cheering him on, on their feet for a standing ovation. Clayton Kershaw contract Kershaw, who never showed much interest in leaving the Dodgers, officially finalized a one-year, $7.5 million deal with the team in February. The total contract value is $16 million with performance bonuses, though, most of which were related to how many games he pitched in throughout the 2025 season. That means that Kershaw is set to be a free agent after the 2025 season, although his intentions to continue playing are still up in the air.
