MILWAUKEE — When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stood up in front of the team on Sunday to announce the players chosen for the National League All-Star team, Clayton Kershaw didn’t expect to hear his name.
But Roberts congratulated Kershaw for making his 11th All-Star team, this time as the commissioner’s Legend Pick. It’s an honor given to a player for an extraordinary career – maybe not so much for his performance that season.
“I didn’t even know that was a thing,” Kershaw said Monday. “I played in the All-Star Game that (Derek) Jeter was in in 2014. I forget who else he said – Miggy Cabrera and Albert (Pujols). I didn’t actually know that was a thing.
“At the end of the day, it’s weird but it’s cool so I’m just going to enjoy it.”
Jeter, Cabrera and Pujols were all given the honor in their final seasons before retiring. Kershaw (who became just the 20th pitcher in baseball history to record 3,000 strikeouts in his most recent start) has not said anything about 2025 being his final season – even if the celebration of his 3,000th strikeout had the feeling of a farewell ceremony.
“Not to be not appreciative of moments like that because that was a really special night in L.A. I wouldn’t change anything that that night was. That was so special,” Kershaw said. “But I don’t know what is going to happen in the future. 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. We still have a lot to accomplish. We still have October. It’s really hard to look at stuff individually when you’re trying to accomplish something as a team.
“Maybe when it’s all said and done I’ll look back. I’m not a big look-back guy. Just enjoy where you’re at.”
For the first time in years, Kershaw is enjoying good health this season. He ended 2021 with elbow and forearm issues. Following the 2023 season, he had shoulder surgery. Last season, he made just seven starts due to a foot issue that required surgery after the season (along with knee surgery).
“I think the biggest thing is just the mental toll,” he said of the injuries. “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.
“(When you’re healthy) instead of wondering if you can pitch, it’s just a matter of how you’re going to pitch. I don’t think I took into appreciation the mental toll that takes over time. So to just worry about pitching is nice, for sure.”
For the most part, the 37-year-old Kershaw has pitched well in his 18th season. He will take a 4-0 record and a 3.43 ERA into his 10th start of the season on Tuesday in Milwaukee.
“Mixed. I think it’s mixed,” he said when asked to assess his season so far. “There’s some good and some bad. I think it’s helpful to be able to get the reps and go back out and be able to feel okay in between starts to work on some stuff, figure out some different things mechanically and pitch-wise and stuff.
“I’d say overall – I wouldn’t say happy but I wouldn’t say disappointed either. I would say kind of right in the middle.”
Kershaw, who started the 2022 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, said he is “super honored” by the All-Star pick, whether he pitches in the July 15 game in Atlanta or not.
“You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances,” he said. “Obviously, I don’t deserve to get to go this season. Haven’t pitched very much. But everything that it encompasses to go to an All-Star Game, I get to take my family – I’ll never pass up that opportunity.
“It’s a tremendous honor. Super thankful to get to go. Regardless of the situation or how I maybe snuck into the All-Star Game, it’s pretty cool to get to go.”