Clayton Kershaw is well-known for having a stringent routine that he sticks to regardless of whether or not it is a start day. But Tuesday required adjustment from the longtime Los Angeles Dodgers ace, and Kershaw embraced it.
Kershaw’s first career All-Star Game start included changes that ranged from walking a red carpet hours before taking the mound, to conducting an interview with the Fox broadcast moments before taking the field.
Dodger Stadium offered plenty of familiarity, and there was some semblance of a normal routine as “We Are Young” by Fun blared through the speakers. However, Kershaw again broke from his usual cadence as he gazed into the stands for a few seconds before beginning to warm up.
“You know, like right before the inning, leading up to it, I’m still thinking in the back of my mind, I still have to compete. And then, right before the inning, I just stepped on the back of the mound for a second and looked around, and that was cool,” Kershaw said soon after completing a scoreless first inning.
He picked off Shohei Ohtani after allowing a leadoff single and later stranded a walk.
“I think it kind of calmed everything down for me, and then I had a lot of fun,” Kershaw added. “I actually had a lot of fun pitching, which usually I don’t have a lot of fun until we win. It was actually a lot of fun to be out there and the crowd was awesome.
“I can’t say enough good things about Dodger fans, people in L.A. in general, just how much these last few days, how much they wanted me to do this. It meant a lot to me, too. So that was really cool.”
Kershaw: I didn’t deserve All-Star Game start
As the possibility of Kershaw starting the All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium began to gain more steam over recent weeks, he continued to defer to other candidates. Namely, Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara.
Even after getting to start the All-Star Game for the first time, in his home ballpark no less, Kershaw spoke highly of Alcántara.
“It’s a huge honor,” Kershaw began. “But at the same time, you know the All-Star Game is the best of the best of the first half. Sandy had an incredible first half, and he deserves it. I’m glad he got to pitch and I’m glad he did a great job.
“We all know that he’s the best pitcher on the planet right now, and it meant a little more to me being here. I was appreciative of [Brian Snitker] and Sandy and everybody that just allowed me to do this.
“That also made it really special, too.”
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