Latest news with #Kershaw
New York Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Clayton Kershaw has glove-throwing tantrum, cuts interview short with Dodgers' frustrations boiling over
Clayton Kershaw's post-start reaction Sunday seemed to encapsulate how every Dodgers player, and fan, has been feeling the past few weeks. Kershaw trotted into the dugout with his head down before slamming his glove onto the bench and ripping off his hat in disgust. The Dodgers' went on to lose, 6-5, to the Brewers, marking the team's 10th defeat in 12 games, and Kershaw was likely frustrated at the series of errors that cost his team in Milwaukee's three-run fourth inning. Advertisement The 11-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young winner declined to explain much after the game, though, ending his interview early after telling reporters: 'I don't have much to say. I'm going to get myself in trouble so let's call it.' Kershaw, 37, twirled three scoreless innings before the fourth, but the Brewers got on the board after third baseman Tommy Edman's throwing error allowed Andrew Vaughn to shuttle home. Advertisement Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw throws his glove after his start Sunday. @js9inningsmedia/X Then, Milwaukee's Andruw Monasterio scored after Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages dropped a routine fly ball on the warning track. A poor throw from left fielder Esteury Ruiz allowed another Brewers run to score in the fifth, marking a third error during Kershaw's 4 ⅓-inning start. To make matters worse, star first baseman Freddie Freeman suffered a wrist injury after getting hit by a pitch in the sixth inning and is day-to-day, according to manager Dave Roberts. Advertisement The Dodgers were already without a long list of key players, including third baseman Max Muncy (left knee bone bruise) and pitchers Blake Snell (left shoulder inflammation) and Roki Sasaki (right shoulder impingement). Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw after getting taken out of Sunday's game against the Brewers. AP The team will look to rely on Kershaw's veteran leadership as they try to get back on track, with three games at home against the Twins on tap before a nine-game road trip to Boston, Cincinnati and Tampa Bay. Advertisement Kershaw, a Dodgers legend in his 18th season with the team, has a 3.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts through 11 starts this season. Los Angeles (58-42) is clinging to first place in the National League West, with a 3 ½ game lead on the second-place Padres.
Los Angeles Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Freddie Freeman injured as Dodgers are swept by the Milwaukee Brewers, again
When Clayton Kershaw signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers last February, it looked like it could have marked the start of a goodbye tour. The left-hander would take one more trip around the league, then settle into a rocking chair and wait for the Hall of Fame to call. Instead, Kershaw has shown flashes of the pitcher who won three Cy Young Awards in four seasons, though now he gets by on guile and guts more than curveballs and sliders. On Sunday, however, he was undone by his defense in a 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. It was the Dodgers' third loss in as many games since the All-Star break and 10th in a dozen games overall, the team's worst 12-game slump since 2018. And the losses keep mounting in other ways as well, with first baseman Freddie Freeman sustaining a left wrist contusion after being hit by a José Quintana pitch in the sixth inning. Freeman leads the Dodgers in batting average (.292) and is third in runs (47) and hits (95). With the team already missing third baseman Max Muncy and utility player Kiké Hernández, the possibility of losing Freeman for any stretch would be a significant blow. The game ended with the slumping Mookie Betts lining out to center field with the bases loaded. The Dodgers' rotation has also been battered by injury, which is why Kershaw's performances have been so important. Despite missing the first seven weeks of the season, he ranks third on the team with 11 starts and has given up two or fewer earned runs in eight of them — including Sunday, when he scattered five hits over 4 1/3 innings, exiting the game with the score tied 3-3 in the fifth. Kershaw, who left without a decision, would have pitched longer had a throwing error by third baseman Tommy Edman and a misplayed fly ball by center fielder Andy Pages not extended the Brewers' fourth inning twice, forcing Kershaw to throw 29 pitches in the inning. And he battled to get that far, working with a fastball that rarely topped 90 and a curve he bounced to the plate more than once. 'It just speaks to the guy,' said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts before the game. 'Even when he doesn't have his best on that particular day, he does what's called of him each time out.' 'He has adjusted, as far as using his his whole pitch mix more,' Roberts continued. 'He's incorporating a lot more pitches and trying to keep guys more off a particular set, attacking guys differently.' The Dodgers gave Kershaw an early lead with a three-run third. Pages led with a double to left, then scored on a line-drive sacrifice fly by Dalton Rushing. After Betts followed with a single, Shohei Ohtani sliced a 2-0 sinker over the left-field wall for league-leading his 34th home run. The defense gave all three runs back in the fourth with a two-out throwing error by Edman letting in a run and Pages misplaying a ball that bounced off his glove near the warning track in center for a game-tying double. Esteury Ruiz's first home run for the Dodgers put them back in front in the fifth, but the Brewers went in front to stay in sixth, scoring three times off relievers Alex Vesia and Lou Trivino (3-1) on a double, three singles and a walk. The Dodgers' bullpen earned-run average of 4.38 ranks 12th in the 15-team National League. The team hasn't gotten a scoreless game from its bullpen since July 3. After Rushing's bases-loaded infield single pulled the Dodgers to within a run in the ninth, Betts who was elevated to the leadoff spot in the order in an effort to end a slump that had seen him start July hitting .174 with as many strikeouts as hits, lined out to center. He finished one for five, dropping his average to .240. Notes: Pitchers Blake Snell and Blake Treinen made rehab appearances for triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday. Snell, who has been on the injured list since April 6 because of left shoulder inflammation, made 58 pitchers over four innings, giving up a run on four hits while striking out six. It was his third rehab appearance. Treinen, out since April 19 with a forearm strain, followed with a perfect fifth inning in which he struck out two. He could return to the Dodgers' roster this week.
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Auction: Family legacy as Joe Helmore art features in Hawke's Bay Wine Auction
'I was standing on the deck of a friend's house in Te Awanga, waiting for him to get home,' he said. 'I was looking out at the Cape just as the sun was setting, and it instantly caught my eye. Pretty much this exact view. I just thought: that's it. That's Hawke's Bay in one frame. 'It's not the iconic view from just around the corner, where you see the gannet colony and the little island at the end,' he said. 'But that's exactly why I liked it. This is the view locals have a relationship with. The one we all see all the time. It's personal. 'Sometimes the most powerful view isn't the picture-perfect postcard shot – it's the one we know the best.' The piece is the latest addition to Helmore's ongoing series of Cape Kidnappers works. In his signature style, Helmore builds and intensifies both volume and structure through the dynamic interplay of light and shadow, while bold graphic disruptions create a striking balance between abstraction and figuration. The scene also stands as a vivid testament to Hawke's Bay's reputation as a world-class wine-producing region, encapsulating its temperate climate, abundant sunshine and distinctive mineral-rich soils. A solitary car parked on the beach imparts a sense of scale while simultaneously reflecting the casual yet pragmatic spirit of the area's inhabitants. 'This is a deeply personal piece that speaks to home, heritage and connection,' Helmore said. 'Being able to contribute to Cranford Hospice through my art is incredibly meaningful, and sharing this moment, even from afar, is something very special to me.' Kershaw said: 'It's an honour to include Joe as this year's feature artist. His work is both powerful and poetic, and the personal connection to the auction's history makes his involvement feel especially poignant. 'We are confident this remarkable piece will captivate collectors and inspire generous bidding.' Tickets for the auction can be purchased from the auction website.
Fox Sports
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
‘Don't Take It For Granted': As Young All-Stars Dazzle, Clayton Kershaw Get His Flowers
ATLANTA — At 9:58 p.m. local time, Clayton Kershaw departed the press conference room from the bowels of Truist Park after recording two outs in his 11th All-Star Game when he was stopped unexpectedly by a fan. It was Pedro Martinez, who wanted to congratulate Kershaw for his performance, let him know how much he appreciated the 18-year veteran and ask if his family could get a couple photos. Kershaw happily obliged. "You're the closest thing to me," the current Hall of Famer told the future Hall of Famer, which evoked a hearty chuckle from Kershaw. As much as the 95th All-Star Game was a representation of a new school of baseball — from the numerous young superstars on the field, to the automated ball-strike challenge system, to the first ever swing-off to determine the result of a tie game — Kershaw loomed as both a tribute to its past and a reminder of why, at a time when many players elected not to participate, the event still remains an honor to many of those invited to participate. Before the game began, Kershaw passed that message along when manager Dave Roberts offered him the floor to say a few words in the National League All-Star team meeting. "We're all a lot younger than him, so he was saying, 'Don't take it for granted,'" Giants starter Logan Webb recalled. "It was really cool. It was special for me, getting to grow up watching him. I just respect him so much." "The All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players," Kershaw said. "It's a lot of travel, it's a lot of stress, chaos, family, all this 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. To be here, to realize your responsibility in the sport, is important." This year, though, it took a bit of time for Kershaw to feel comfortable with the honor. When he learned he would be an All-Star again, he did not feel deserving. The commissioner's office chose him as a "legend pick" in recognition of his illustrious career after he became the 20th player to join the 3,000-strikeout club earlier this month, a group that isn't likely to see another member for many years, if ever. The distinction felt a little bit like a swan song, and he is not ready to say this year will be it. Plus, despite a 3.38 ERA, he did not think his election was earned. "You don't ever want to take somebody's spot," Kershaw said. "You don't ever want to be like a sideshow. You just want to be a part of it, if you deserve it." He started to feel better about it once he realized he would be added as an extra player and wouldn't be taking the roster spot of a pitcher with a more exemplary first half. And, ultimately, he was thankful he decided to go. "Had my whole family here, get to see me pitch in an All-Star Game again," Kershaw said. "I didn't think it was going to happen, so it was pretty cool." Kershaw's tough exterior has softened in recent years as he savors every moment he has left on a Major League Baseball field. That was obvious Tuesday, when he wore a microphone on the mound, something he never imagined he would one day do — an act those who know him never thought they'd see, either. "I'm getting blown up by former teammates saying, 'Wow, you've changed so much,'" Kershaw said. "And they're right. I don't think I would've ever done that." But he embraced it. And even enjoyed it. "It was actually kind of fun," Kershaw admitted. In the eighth inning, rookie Jacob Misiorowski's first fastball clocked in at 101.7 mph. Six innings prior, Kershaw's first heater to Cal Raleigh registered at 89 on the radar. "I'm going to try to throw some cheese real quick, hold on," Kershaw said before unleashing the pitch. Raleigh hooked a line drive into left field that was tracked down by a sliding Kyle Tucker. "That was sick," Kershaw said. After striking out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. looking, Kershaw's two-batter appearance came to an end. Departing in the middle of the inning would allow him to soak in an ovation from the crowd. Roberts emerged from the dugout. Kershaw thanked his teammates and went to hand the baseball to his manager. "That's yours," Roberts said. "I keep it?" Kershaw said with a smile as the fans rose to their feet, acknowledging what could very well be his final All-Star performance. "However long he wants to play," Padres reliever Jason Adam said, "he should be in every All-Star Game." Adam trotted in from the bullpen to relieve Kershaw in the second inning. He called that one of the coolest experiences of his career. "Thankful he didn't leave anybody on base for me," Adam said. "You don't want the weight of a Hall of Famer's runs on base in an All-Star Game." Kershaw still vividly remembers his first All-Star Game back in 2011, when he got to stand in the outfield alongside Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay and the players he looked up to. On Tuesday, the 37-year-old became the oldest pitcher to record a strikeout in the All-Star Game since Fernando Rodney in 2016. Kershaw is now tied with Mike Trout for the most All-Star selections among active players. "Now, to kind of be on the other end of it, is weird," Kershaw said. "It happens fast." So, he tries to absorb every opportunity he has left until he's ready to call it a career. Before Kershaw left the stadium, Martinez reminded him of what awaits whenever that time comes. "I'm going to be waiting for you," Martinez said, "in Cooperstown." Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner . recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the Major League Baseball Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Los Angeles Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- Los Angeles Times
Clayton Kershaw is the All-Star among All-Stars as NL defeats AL
ATLANTA — 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.' Kershaw, admittedly, was picked for this year's game for more sentimental reasons than anything. 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. 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. '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). 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. 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.' 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. '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.' 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. '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.'
