The Los Angeles Dodgers had four players – Cody Bellinger, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw – make the initial National League roster for the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, then saw a fifth added when Max Muncy replaced the injured Anthony Rendon of the Washington Nationals.
Owners of the best records in baseball, the Dodgers had others who were worthy of being All-Stars get snubbed. Dave Roberts, who is managed the NL team, felt Justin Turner and Alex Verdugo should have made the roster.
One other key contributor for the Dodgers who was left off the roster was closer Kenley Jansen, who had been to the Midsummer Classic each of the last three seasons.
While Jansen felt he was deserving and was disappointed to not be part of the NL team, he was happy for his Dodgers teammates and explained his focus primarily remains on winning the World Series, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Listen, man, they don’t pick me — what can I say? There’s going to be plenty more chances. That’s how I see it,” Jansen said. “Yeah, you definitely want to be picked — second in the league in saves. But, listen, I knew it was going to be hard once I gave up that four-spot against San Diego (a walkoff grand slam by Hunter Renfroe on May 5). It’s going to take you months to get your ERA down and all that stuff.
“At the end of the day, my focus is to win a championship. I’m tired of losing in the World Series, back to back. It would be cool to be in but I’ll take it as a rest … and be happy for guys like Walker and Hyun-Jin. It’s the first year they make it. You have to be happy for those two guys. Be happy too for Kersh to be back in it after all he went through with his back and that stuff.”
In 36 games this season, Jansen has pitched to a 3.19 ERA, 3.45 FIP, 0.93 WHIP, 48 strikeouts and seven walks in 36.2 innings. He has converted 23 of his 26 save attempts, good for second in the NL behind only Kirby Yates of the San Diego Padres.
Jansen has continued to put the Dodgers’ goals and accomplishments ahead of his, even when he’s made franchise history. Not making the All-Star Game simply was the latest example of the 31-year-old highlighting his bigger concern is on ending the organization’s World Series drought.
