Mic'd-up Kershaw has some fun in ASG outing worthy of a legend

ATLANTA -- Pitching in the Midsummer Classic is a familiar experience for 11-time All-Star Clayton Kershaw.

Being mic’d up on a worldwide broadcast while on the mound? That’s a new one.

“This is so weird talking to you guys,” Kershaw said back to the FOX broadcast booth during the second inning. “Holy cow.”

After becoming the 20th pitcher all-time to reach the illustrious 3,000-strikeout career milestone earlier this month, Kershaw was named a “Legend Pick” to the All-Star Game presented by Mastercard, as selected by Commissioner Rob Manfred. He was the first such selection since Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera in 2022. Kershaw went 4-1 with a 3.38 in 10 starts in the first half of the season.

“My initial response was, you don't ever want to take somebody's spot or you don't ever want to be like a sideshow. You just want to be a part of it if you deserve it,” Kershaw said. “Once I kind of understood that I wasn't taking anybody's spot and that it was [the Legend Pick], it was a little uncomfortable. But now that I'm done with it, it was awesome. I'm so glad I got to come and share with family and kiddos and all the stuff. It was a great thing.”

Inside the NL clubhouse, Roberts presented Kershaw with the opportunity to address the team prior to the game. Kershaw said it was a moment he would “never volunteer for,” but he appreciated the knowledge veterans shared with him in his early All-Star years. With memories of standing in the outfield with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and others he looked up to, he paid it forward.

“I hope I didn’t sound too bad,” Kershaw said with a laugh. “I think everything that everybody knows is just, the All-Star Game, it can be hard at times for the players. It’s a lot of travel, it’s a lot of stress, chaos, family, all the stuff. But it’s meaningful. It’s impactful for the game. It’s important for the game. We have the best All-Star Game of any sport. We do have the best product. So to be here, to realize your responsibility in the sport is important.”

Just as his veteran All-Star teammates did for him over a decade ago, Kershaw made his teammates feel seen.

“Talk about a legend,” said Marlins first-year All-Star Kyle Stowers. “What an awesome, awesome guy, too. I got to talk to him in the outfield yesterday. He doesn’t owe me the time of the day. He’s done so much for this game, been around so long. For him to take the time and look me in the eye and talk to me, smile, all that stuff, I’ll never forget it.”

Kershaw previously appeared in the All-Star Games in 2011-17, ’19 and ’22-23. Warren Spahn (14), Mariano Rivera (13) and Tom Seaver (12) are the only pitchers with more All-Star appearances. Roger Clemens also earned 11.

“I'm old. Been around a while, I guess,” Kershaw said of his place on the elite list. “It's a very awesome, special thing to get to come to All-Star Games. I remember the first one, how special that was, and I don't think a lot's changed for me over the years to get to come to these things. So I don't take that for granted. I think it's really awesome. It very well -- I mean, I shouldn't be here anyway -- so it's very possible this could be my last one. I can't say it another way. It was a very awesome night. Special.”

The Dodgers’ veteran hurler Kershaw faced a pair of Home Run Derby champions -- and retired them both.

“Two batters is not a bad gig if you do it right,” Kershaw, 37, said. “It's not fun, I guess, if you don't get them out. It was fun tonight.”

Kershaw followed NL starter Paul Skenes of the Pirates, and matched up against the Mariners’ Cal Raleigh (2025 champion) and the Blue Jays’ Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (’23).

Kershaw gameplanned, “I’m going to throw some cheese real quick, hang on,” and got Raleigh to line out to Cubs left fielder Kyle Tucker on a first-pitch fastball.

“That was sick,” Kershaw said of the sliding catch. “That was sick.”

Kershaw then worked a five-pitch count against Guerrero, catching Guerrero looking at a slider in a 2-2 count.

“This might be my last batter, guys,” Kershaw said. “How hard was that one? 91 [mph]? It was an out, OK. Alright, going cheese again.”

After Guerrero took the strike, Kershaw said in relief, “Oh, yeah. Right down the middle. I’m so glad he didn’t swing.”

When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relieved Kershaw, he told Kershaw, “That’s yours. You keep [the ball].”

“I honestly didn't know how I was going to feel,” Kershaw said. “I didn't know if I was breathing too hard to talk. It's a long run and all that. [I] just kind of winged it.”

Kershaw’s in-game chatter was highlighted by a back-and-forth with Hall of Famer pitcher John Smoltz in the broadcast booth.

Kershaw: “What do you want? Smoltzie, what do you want?”
Smoltz: “Cutter in. Slider in.”
Kershaw: “I don’t throw a cutter, Smoltzie.”

“I'm getting blown up by former teammates saying, ‘Wow, you've changed so much,’” said Kershaw. “And they're right. I mean, I don't think I would have ever done that. It was actually kind of fun. Never could do it in a regular season game. But for a few batters, it was pretty fun.”