The 95th All-Star game provided plenty of memorable moments, featuring an elaborate tribute to the late Hank Aaron, a late game comeback from the American League ending in the first ever swing-off.
In the early moments of the game, Clayton Kershaw relieved starter Paul Skenes in the top of the second, tossing only six pitches while recording a strikeout of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and wearing a microphone for the entire outing, exiting to a standing ovation once relieved by Jason Adam.
After the game, he reflected on the opportunity to pitch in this year’s Midsummer Classic, per Jessica Camerato of MLB.com, and acknowledged the possibility of his brief appearance on Tuesday being the final one of his career.
“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.”
Tuesday’s contest meant another emotional return to Atlanta for the former longtime Brave Freddie Freeman, who fought back tears while speaking with Ken Rosenthal of FOX about how much he continues to cherish the city and the fanbase.
@FreddieFreeman5 joins @Ken_Rosenthal and shares his emotions of returning to Atlanta to play in the All-Star Game. pic.twitter.com/KJVn2EwR8m
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 16, 2025
Will Smith finds himself at the top of both the Dodgers and the National League leaderboard for batting average and ranks second behind teammate Shohei Ohtani for OPS entering the second half of the season.
As good as his first half was, the real test will be whether or not he can carry that momentum into the most grueling part of the season, where his numbers over the past two seasons have taken a nosedive, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times.
“The last couple years, I had some, not major things, but some tough injuries,” Smith said. “But that’s my decision to play through them… I just feel like I have a really good understanding of my swing right now,” Smith said. “It’s a long season, it comes and goes. But for whatever reason this year, I’ve been able to keep it more than I haven’t.