
Clayton Kershaw is a 2025 MLB All-Star as 'Legend Pick' for Midsummer Classic
Just four days after entering the record books with his 3,000th strikeout, Kershaw is now going to the All-Star Game for the 11th time of his illustrious career, chosen by commissioner Rob Manfred as his 'Legend Pick" in recognition of the Dodgers veteran.
Kershaw, the oldest All-Star at 37 years old, becomes the first All-Star chosen by Manfred since 2022 when he chose Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera, who were in the final year of their careers. Kershaw has not announced whether this will be his final season, but after three Cy Youngs, two World Series championships and becoming the 20th pitcher to achieve 3,000 strikeouts, his Hall of Fame resume is already complete.
MLB ALL-STAR GAME ROSTERS: Check out the full teams for Midsummer Classic
Kershaw is one of five Dodgers who will be at the All-Star Game, joining Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the most by any team. The first-place Detroit Tigers (Tarik Skubal, Gleyber Torres, Riley Greene and Javier Baez) and the Seattle Mariners (Cal Raleigh, Bryan Woo, Julio Rodriguez and Andres Muñoz) have the second-most representatives with four All-Stars apiece.
There are 19 first-time All Stars, including 21 players who are 26 years old are younger, with 22-year-old James Wood of the Washington Nationals being the youngest. Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, 23, is the youngest AL player, and joins his father, Jack, as the first father-son duo to be selected as All-Star shortstops, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Shane Smith is not only the first Chicago White Sox rookie pitcher to make the All-Star team, but also becomes only the second player to be a Rule 5 Draft pick and make the All-Star team the following season, joining Miami Marlins infielder Dan Uggla in 2006.
Texas Rangers starter Jacob deGrom, the two-time Cy Young award winner and a candidate to win his third, is returning to the All-Star Game for the first time since 2021. He's 9-2 with a 2.13 ERA and his 101⅓ innings pitches are the most he's accumulated since 2021.
There, of course, are plenty of players who were snubbed, well at least initially considering there are about a dozen players added before the July 15 All-Star Game with injuries and pitching limits. St. Louis Cardinals ace Sonny Gray, Astros starter Framber Valdez, Toronto Blue Jays outfielder George Springer, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner, Phillies starter Ranger Suarez and Rays third baseman Junior Caminero were among the omissions.
Other snubs included Orioles infielden Jackson Holliday, Astros reliever Bryan Abreu, Red Sox catcher Carlos Narvaez, Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson, Angels shortstop Zach Neto, Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino and Cubs catcher Carson Kelly.
San Francisco Giants DH Rafael Devers may have gotten robbed of an All-Star selection simply by being traded last month from the Boston Red Sox. Devers entered the day hitting .262 with 17 homers, 67 RBI and an .866 OPS, but his numbers paled in comparison to Shohei Ohtani (30 homers, 56 RBI, 1.002 OPS) and Kyle Schwarber (27 homers, 62 RBI, .922 OPS), who were the top two picks on the players' ballot.
The players ballot, which also included managers and coaches, once again provided intrigue. They voted for Houston Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña to be the starter, which went to Wilson in the fan balloting. They also voted for Jonathan Aranda of the Tampa Bay Rays to be the starting first baseman instead of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays.
While Freeman is the NL's starting first baseman, the players wanted New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, who easily won their vote. Atlanta's Ronald Acuna Jr. received the most fan votes, despite not making his season debut until May 23, but finished only fifth in the player balloting. Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton wasn't chosen by the fans, but he received the second-most votes from AL outfielders by the players, behind only Yankees MVP Aaron Judge.
In the NL, the players voted Padres setup reliever Jason Adam to the All-Star team, but not teammate Robert Suarez, the Padres closer, who is tied for the MLB lead with 24 saves. San Francisco Giants reliever Randy Rodriguez received the most votes among NL relievers, followed by Edwin Diaz of the Mets. In the AL, Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman received the most votes ahead of Josh Hader of the Houston Astros, who has been perfect in 25 save situations.
The AL All-Stars selected by the players:
The NL All-Star chosen by the players:
MLB made six selections in each league to fill out their roster, and to assure that every club was represented. In the AL, Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm and Witt, of the Royals were chosen, along with pitchers Kris Bubic of the Royals, Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels, Woo and Smith.
In the NL, MLB chose 34-year-old Cubs starter Matthew Boyd for his first All-Star Game, also with starters Freddy Peralta of the Milwaukee Brewers, Robbie Ray of the Giants and Yamamoto. It also selected first baseman Matt Olson of Atlanta and Kyle Stowers of the Miami Marlins.
While Tarik Skubal should easily be the choice to start the All-Star Game for the AL, it will be a fascinating decision for NL manager Dave Roberts of the Dodgers to choose between Zach Wheeler of the Phillies and Skenes of the Pirates. Wheeler threw a one-hit complete game Sunday, retiring 27 of the 28 batters he faced with 12 strikeouts while Skenes leads the NL in ERA (2.03) and opponent's batting average (.182).
Skenes told reporters he'd love to start again after having the honor in last year's All-Star Game as a rookie, but most of all, would love to sit down and chat with Skubal, who is 10-2 with a 2.02 ERA this season, with 148 strikeouts in 116 innings
'It would be cool, he said. 'More than anything, I want to get him off to the side and ask him how he does what he does, basically. I've talked with him a little bit, but to see him do it again, at an even higher level than he did last year arguably, it's pretty dang cool.'
Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Fox Sports
34 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
João Pedro scores twice vs. boyhood team, Chelsea beats Fluminense 2-0 to reach Club World Cup final
Associated Press EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Joao Pedro scored twice against his boyhood team in his first start for Chelsea, leading the Blues over Fluminense 2-0 Tuesday to assure an all-European Club World Cup final. A 23-year-old who had been at Fluminense from about age 10 until leaving for Watford in 2020, João Pedro scored in the 18th and 56th minutes and refused to celebrate either goal in a sign of respect for his former club. He joined Chelsea from Brighton on July 2. Seeking its second world championship, Chelsea advanced to Sunday's title match against the winner of Wednesday's game between European champion Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. European teams will win their 12th straight Club World Cup title and 17th in 18 tries, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea, which won in 2021. Fluminense was initially awarded a first-half penalty kick but it was taken away in a video review. Chelsea's Moises Caicedo injured a leg in second-half stoppage time. A crowd of 70,556 was 10-15% short of capacity at MetLife Stadium, where it was 93 degrees (34 Celsius) at kickoff with humidity that made it feel like 104 (40). FIFA cut ticket prices from $473.90 to $13.40 last week. Chelsea went ahead after German Cano lost the ball to João Pedro, and he poked it to Pedro Neto, who dribbled down a flank and crossed. An attempted clearance went to João Pedro, who curled a 20-yard shot inside the far post. João Pedro took two steps to start to celebrate, then stopped and clasped his hands. Chelsea doubled the lead after Facundo Bernal lost the ball just outside the Blues' penalty area to Pedro Neto, who poked the ball to Cole Palmer. He beat three challenges and dished off to Enzo Fernandez, who side-footed a pass to João Pedro. He cut around Ignacio and scored off the underside of the crossbar. Marc Cucurella cleared Hércules' shot off the line in the 27th and French referee François Letexier awarded a penalty kick in the 35th minute when René's free kick struck the left arm of defender Trevoh Chalobah. Letexier reversed his decision in a video review, concluding Chalobah's arm was in a natural position. Key moment Letexier reversing his PK decision at the recommendation of Colombian video assistant referee Nicolas Gallo. Takeaways Chelsea has earned $88,435,000 to $103,815,000 for reaching the final, the amount depending on a participation fee FIFA has not disclosed. ___ AP soccer:


New York Post
34 minutes ago
- New York Post
Rafael Devers skipped first base workout with ex-Gold Glover in growing Giants concern
Actions always speak louder than words. Rafael Devers arrived in San Francisco seemingly ready to be a team player and try his hand at first base, but the ex-Red Sox third baseman has apparently not fulfilled that promise, apparently skipping out on a first base workout with a former Giants star. 'They don't yet know what is gonna happen with the player. I was there the second day. Will Clark was there to work on ground balls with him at first base, and Raffy didn't show up,' Red Sox play-by-play announcer Will Flemming said Monday on WEEI. 'So, that's the person that these guys have been dealing with for a long time.' Advertisement Giants third baseman Rafael Devers. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Clark, a six-time All-Star and Gold Glove first baseman with San Francisco in his playing days, gave his version of the story earlier in the week on his 'Deuces Wild' podcast. 'Friday, Saturday, Sunday, he did not come out early, at all. Period, not all. In fact, he didn't even hit on the field,' Clark said. 'Everybody's like, 'Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Will. I'm so sorry.'' Advertisement It appears to be a continuation of the frustrating situation that played out for Devers in Boston this season, as the slugger was asked to give up his spot at the hot corner for newly acquired Alex Bregman and take on designated hitter duties. 'Third base is my position,'' Devers said at Red Sox spring training in February. 'That's what I've played. I don't know what their plans are. I know we had a conversation. I made it clear what my desires were, and yeah, whatever happens from here, I don't know.' Former Giants first baseman Will Clark on his ''Deuces Wild' podcast. No Filter Network Advertisement When Boston later lost first baseman Triston Casas to injury, the team floated the idea of Devers playing first, which he quickly shut down, setting the stage for the blockbuster trade to the San Francisco in June. Devers has played 20 games for the Giants, all as a designated hitter, adding two home runs and nine RBIs. He'll have to pick up the glove sooner or later — Clark is planning to make sure of it. Advertisement 'But Rafael Devers, the next time I'm in San Francisco, your ass will be on the field at first base, just letting you know that,' Clark said. 'Even if I gotta go grab you by the f–king back of the neck and drag your ass out there, you will be at first base.'


New York Post
35 minutes ago
- New York Post
DJ LeMahieu staring down Yankees uncertainty with reduced role and limited options
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free Jazz Chisholm's shift back to second base Tuesday night means a massively reduced role for DJ LeMahieu with the Yankees. Aaron Boone said before the series opener against the Mariners that Chisholm will play regularly at second base, his more natural position. Advertisement Chisholm, named Sunday as an AL All-Star reserve, mostly played third base following a trade from the Marlins last summer, but he started this season back at second until suffering an injury in late April. LeMahieu eventually took over at second following his own IL stint, with Chisholm returning to third once he was activated. The 36-year-old LeMahieu, a three-time Gold Glove winner at second, has shown decreased range defensively this season. Advertisement DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees reacts in the dugout. Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post Boone said the veteran infielder didn't take the demotion well and that he's not presently a candidate for time at third because of his physical limitations. LeMahieu has the rest of this season's salary plus $15 million guaranteed for 2026 left on his contract. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Advertisement Oswald Peraza started at third base Tuesday night, but Boone did not commit to him starting there regularly. The Yankees also signed veteran MLB infielders Jeimer Candelaria and Nicky Lopez to minor-league deals last week. Jazz Chisholm Jr. #13 of the New York Yankees plays the ball against the Toronto Blue Jays. Getty Images Former Yanks infielder Andrew Velasquez also is currently at Triple-A Scranton.