Clayton Kershaw is one of five Los Angeles Dodgers players heading to the 2025 MLB All-Star Game after making the National League team as a “Legend Pick” by commissioner Rob Manfred.
Kershaw joins Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, Freddie Freeman and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as those selected to represent L.A. However, Yamamoto was replaced due to being scheduled to start on Sunday.
The legacy pick granted to Kershaw is used to honor a player’s career, similar to how Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera were both selected to participate in the 2022 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw admitted he wasn’t aware of the honor, but is looking forward to representing the Dodgers in Atlanta, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“I didn’t even know that was a thing,” Kershaw said Monday. “I played in the All-Star Game that (Derek) Jeter was in in 2014. I forget who else he said – Miggy Cabrera and Albert (Pujols). I didn’t actually know that was a thing.
“At the end of the day, it’s weird but it’s cool so I’m just going to enjoy it.”
The All-Star Game selection is the 11th of Kershaw’s illustrious career, which set a new Dodgers franchise record. At age 37, the left-hander is going to soak in the experience whether he pitches or not:
“You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,” he said. “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.
“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 go.”
Kershaw is in his 18th season with the Dodgers and will approach the remainder of his career on a year-to-year basis. He didn’t make his 2025 debut until May 17 due to offseason knee and foot surgeries, but otherwise has been healthy this season.
Kershaw has continued to reinvent himself on the mound as he owns a 4-1 record with a 3.38 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 50.2 innings across 10 starts this year.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner added another milestone to his Hall of Fame resume last week when he reached 3,000 career strikeouts in the Dodgers’ 5-4 win over the Chicago White Sox.
Kershaw became the 20th pitcher in MLB history and just the fourth left-hander to accomplish the feat.
MLB All-Star Game history: Clayton Kershaw
Kershaw was last selected to the All-Star Game in 2023, but couldn’t participate due to a left shoulder injury.
He has only started in one Midsummer Classic, which came during the 2022 event at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw threw a scoreless first inning, but the American League went on to earn a 3-2 comeback win over the NL.
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