MILWAUKEE — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw appreciates his eleventh profession All-Star Recreation choice whereas acknowledging this one’s a bit completely different from the remaining.
The three-time Cy Younger Award winner has made solely 9 begins this season however nonetheless bought chosen to the Nationwide League workforce as a “Legend Choose” by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, below a provision within the collective bargaining settlement.
“You by no means take without any consideration attending to go to an All-Star Recreation, whatever the circumstances,” Kershaw mentioned Monday earlier than the Dodgers performed the Milwaukee Brewers. “Clearly, I do not need to get to go this season. I have never pitched very a lot.”
This marked the primary time Manfred made a Legend Choose for the All-Star Recreation since 2022, when Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols each obtained that designation.
“I did not actually really know that was a factor,” Kershaw mentioned. “On the finish of the day, it is bizarre, nevertheless it’s cool, so I am simply going to take pleasure in it.”
The distinction comes lower than per week after Kershaw recorded his 3,000th profession strikeout, turning into simply the twentieth pitcher to succeed in that plateau. He is in his 18th season with the Dodgers, tying Corridor of Fame outfielder Zack Wheat and shortstop Invoice Russell for the franchise report.
The 37-year-old left-hander did not make his season debut till Might 17 as he labored his means again from toe and knee surgical procedures. He additionally had undergone shoulder surgical procedure after the 2023 season. He owns a 4-0 report and three.43 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 44⅔ innings.
“I believe it is combined,” Kershaw mentioned. “I believe there’s some good and a few unhealthy. I believe it is useful to have the ability to get the reps, return out and be capable of really feel OK in between begins to work on some stuff and check out to determine some issues mechanically and pitch-wise and stuff. I would say general, I would not say I am blissful, however I would not say I am disenchanted, both. Simply type of proper within the center.”
All these profession milestones naturally result in questions on Kershaw’s legacy and future. Kershaw says he is simply specializing in the right here and now.
“I do not know what is going on to occur sooner or later,” he mentioned. “I actually do not know relating to the years past this one, so I am simply making an attempt to take pleasure in it, making an attempt to be a part of a very good workforce this yr. We have nonetheless bought quite a bit to perform, and we nonetheless have October. It is actually laborious to have a look at stuff individually while you’re making an attempt to perform one thing as a workforce.”
However he nonetheless appreciates this performer honor, irrespective of how he was chosen.
“I am going to by no means cross up that chance,” Kershaw mentioned. “It is a great honor. Tremendous grateful to get to go. Whatever the state of affairs or how I possibly snuck into the All-Star Recreation, it is fairly cool to get to have the ability to go.”