Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw made his 11th All-Star appearance in Atlanta this week.
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Kershaw threw six pitches, and was taken out of the Midsummer Classic by manager Dave Roberts after he recorded his first strikeout. The three-time Cy Young winner got two quick outs while he was mic’d up and joking throughout his performance.
Kershaw returned to the dugout at Truist Park to a standing ovation and several high fives from his NL teammates.
Initially, the southpaw felt uncertain about his presence at the 2025 All-Star Game given he had been selected as MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred’s “Legend Pick.” Kershaw is sporting a 3.38 ERA over 10 starts this season, which aren’t exactly All-Star numbers.
However, Kershaw was one of the most popular All-Stars this year — especially in the NL clubhouse.
San Diego Padres right-hander Jason Adam was able to relieve Kershaw in the second inning of the Midsummer Classic, and expressed gratitude for the future Hall of Famer’s presence in Atlanta.
“(To) come here and do this for the game of baseball and be here with us and lead us was really special,” Adam said to The Athletic.
Adam called Kershaw “the best in the game,” and wasn’t the only Padre to heap high praise for the Dodgers star. Manny Machado also spoke on Kershaw’s standing ovation and showed how revered the left-hander is around league.
“I think you’re talking about legends of the game,” Machado said. “I think the game is above competition when you go out there.”
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Photo Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
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