Clayton Kershaw in frame (Credit: AP)
At the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, Clayton Kershaw was mic’d up when he took the mound in the top of the second inning, which almost resulted in a hilarious moment. Because he said to the TV booth (and everyone of America) as he was making the opening pitch, a pitch that was Cal Raleigh rocked at 101.9 MPH on a line: “I’m going to try and throw some cheese real quick.” Fortunately for him, even when he is not in his typical position, Kyle Tucker is as smooth as silk with the glove.
“That was sick!” said Kershaw afterwards.
Kershaw To Retire?Even though the Los Angeles Dodgers have the most wins in the National League going into the All-Star break, they still had cause for some sadness. With over a dozen different arms hitting the injured list in the first half, the team has failed to prevent an outbreak of pitcher injuries for the second consecutive year. Some disappointment is also understandable given the inability of summer additions like Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki to maintain their health.
However, the Dodgers must be happy with club legend Clayton Kershaw, who has made 10 starts this season after returning from the injured list and has an impressive 3.38 ERA at the age of 37. It might be Kershaw’s last season with the team, though. Prior to this season, Kershaw agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers, and he recently informed Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register that he would decide to retire at the end of this campaign.
“But I don’t know what is going to happen in the future,” Kerhsaw told Plunkett. “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.”
Although Kershaw’s performance on the mound thus far may give him hope, he also pointed out that it has been a discouraging process to recover from the injuries that ended his season the previous year.
“I think the biggest thing is just the mental toll,” he said of his injuries, per Plunkett. “I think anyone that has been dealing with stuff — I think it’s always in the back of your head. You wake up and you test it and you move around and you test it to see if it hurts, see how bad it hurts.”
Speaking candidly about his thoughts, Kershaw disclosed that his decision to retire is still very much in the balance. Even while there are indications that he still has some energy left, the great may choose to hang up his boots due to his injury problems.