Clayton Kershaw makes his 11th All-Star team
baseball
By RONALD BLUM
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was picked for his 11th All-Star Game and Paul Skenes, James Wood and Elly De La Cruz boosted the 23-and-under group to five when they were picked Sunday for the July 15 showcase at Atlanta's Truist Park.
Wood at 22 is the youngest of the 65 All-Stars, while Skenes, De La Cruz and fan-elected starters Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jacob Wilson are all 23.
Cal Raleigh and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined Wood, Wilson and Crow-Armstrong among 19 first-time All-Stars. Wood was acquired by Washington in the August 2022 trade that sent outfielder Juan Soto to San Diego.
'It'll just be cool being around some of the best players in the game,' Wood said.
Kershaw last week became the 20th pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts and Commissioner Rob Manfred made the left-hander the 65th All-Star as a so-called Legend Pick, his first since selecting Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols in 2022 under a provision in the then-new collective bargaining agreement.
Kershaw gives the Dodgers at least five All-Stars for the sixth straight season. The oldest NL All-Star at 37 and most senior All-Star with 11 selections, Kershaw is joined by Yamamoto and fan-elected starters Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith.
Detroit and Seattle will have four players each at the game.
Starting pitchers Hunter Brown of Houston, Garrett Crochet of Boston, Jacob deGrom of Texas, Max Fried of the New York Yankees and Tarik Skubal of Detroit were voted to the AL staff by players, managers and coaches along with relievers Aroldis Chapman of Boston, Josh Hader of Houston and Andrés Muñoz of Seattle.
Chapman is the oldest All-Star, born 19 days before Kershaw.
AL reserves picked by players included Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk, Tampa Bay first baseman Jonathan Aranda and second baseman Brandon Lowe, Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña, Boston third baseman Alex Bregman, Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker and outfielders Byron Buxton of Minnesota, Steven Kwan of Cleveland and Julio Rodríguez of Seattle.
MLB used its six picks on pitchers Kris Bubic of Kansas City, Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels, Shane Smith of the Chicago White Sox and Bryan Woo of Seattle, along with Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.
'Red carpet, that's my thing,' Chisholm said. 'I do have a 'fit in mind.'
Smith became the second player since 2000 to become an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, following Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla in 2006, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Smith was left unprotected by Milwaukee and joined Wilson (Athletics) as the only rookies on the All-Star rosters.
Pittsburgh's Skenes, Washington's MacKenzie Gore, Atlanta's Chris Sale, San Francisco's Logan Webb and Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler were elected to the starting rotation by players along with relievers Jason Adam of San Diego, Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets and Randy Rodríguez of San Francisco.
Skenes started last year's All-Star Game just 66 days after his major league debut, pitching a hitless inning in the NL's 5-3 loss at Arlington, Texas.
Player-elected NL reserves were Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, St. Louis second baseman Brendan Donovan, Cincinnati's De La Cruz at shortstop, Arizona third baseman Eugenio Suárez, Philadelphia DH Kyle Schwarber and Wood, Arizona's Corbin Carroll and the Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. in the outfield.
MLB's NL picks were Yamamoto, the Cubs' Matthew Boyd, Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta and the Giants' Robbie Ray for the pitching staff along with Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson and Miami outfielder Kyle Stowers.
Mets outfielder Juan Soto, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, Blue Jays outfielder George Springer, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray were not picked. There usually are about 10 roster replacements between the announcements and the game.
AP freelance writer Patrick Stevens in Washington contributed to this report.
© Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yomiuri Shimbun
a day ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Yamamoto, Kikuchi Join Ohtani on '25 MLB All-Star Roster; RBI-Leader Suzuki Overlooked
LOS ANGELES — Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been selected alongside Los Angeles Dodgers teammate Shohei Ohtani and Los Angeles Angles pitcher Yusei Kikuchi in the roster for the 2025 All-Star Game, Major League Baseball announced Sunday. The three Japanese players represent a joint record for an All-Star Game, which this year will be held on July 15. Yamamoto has received his first All-Star nod in the second season of his MLB career, while Kikuchi has been called up for a second time, following the 2021 game during his time with the Seattle Mariners. Ohtani is set to make his fifth consecutive appearance. Seiya Suzuki of the Chicago Cubs was not selected despite leading the major leagues in RBIs with 77 as of Sunday. He is also 6th in homeruns, with 25. 'Above all, an All-Star Game is special,' Kikuchi said. 'So, I'm as glad the second time around as I was the first time.' In his first year with the Angels, Kikuchi was the opening day pitcher for the first time in his career. So far this season, he has a 3-6 record, with a 2.81 ERA. 'All my teammates celebrated me,' Kikuchi said. 'I really feel happy for playing in this team.'
Japan Times
2 days ago
- Japan Times
Mexico beats United States 2-1 to win 10th Gold Cup title
Mexico defeated the United States 2-1 at NRG Stadium in Houston on Sunday to successfully defend its CONCACAF Gold Cup crown and capture its 10th title in a pulsating final that delivered drama from start to finish. The U.S. went ahead just four minutes in when Sebastian Berhalter's free kick found Chris Richards, whose powerful header struck the underside of the crossbar and cannoned straight down, with the referee confirming the goal was good. Mexico found the equalizer through Raul Jimenez in the 27th minute after the striker converted from close range. He then dedicated the goal to the late Diogo Jota, his former Wolverhampton Wanderers teammate, by holding up a Mexico shirt with the Portuguese forward's name on it. "We came from behind and are leaving with the title," Jimenez said. "It's great and really important to clinch the crown a summer before the World Cup. It's something we've been trying to do since the tournament began." Despite Mexico's first-half dominance, the team struggled to capitalize on numerous golden opportunities. Roberto Alvarado and 16-year-old Gilberto Mora both tested U.S. goalkeeper Matt Freese, with Mora's venomous long-range effort requiring a crucial save from the American shot-stopper. The U.S. created chances through the slick combination play of Malik Tillman and Berhalter but could not breach Mexico's resolute defense again. Alex Freeman came closest when his header struck Mexico goalkeeper Luis Malagon in the face and Diego Luna blazed the rebound over the crossbar. Mexico cranked up the pressure after the break and got the crucial second goal when Edson Alvarez powered home a header, though there was a nervous wait due to a VAR review for potential offside. However, the goal stood and the Mexican contingent erupted with wild celebrations. "I'm speechless. We spent 35 days in intense training, away from our families, with the intention of winning. There's certainly room for improvement, but we're leaving happy and with our feet firmly on the ground," midfielder Alvarez said. "When they first disallowed the goal, it was crazy. It threw me off balance, but I was really happy to see that it was valid." Patrick Agyemang had the chance to equalize in the dying minutes but his finish just missed the mark in a tense finale as Mexico held firm to secure their triumph. Mexico's victory secures back-to-back Gold Cup triumphs and brings them a record-extending 10th crown. Mexico also won the CONCACAF Nations Championship, the Gold Cup's predecessor, three times.
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Japan Today
Clayton Kershaw makes his 11th All-Star team
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after striking out Chicago White Sox's Vinny Capra during the sixth inning for his 3,000th career strikeout Wednesday, July 2, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian) baseball By RONALD BLUM Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw was picked for his 11th All-Star Game and Paul Skenes, James Wood and Elly De La Cruz boosted the 23-and-under group to five when they were picked Sunday for the July 15 showcase at Atlanta's Truist Park. Wood at 22 is the youngest of the 65 All-Stars, while Skenes, De La Cruz and fan-elected starters Pete Crow-Armstrong and Jacob Wilson are all 23. Cal Raleigh and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined Wood, Wilson and Crow-Armstrong among 19 first-time All-Stars. Wood was acquired by Washington in the August 2022 trade that sent outfielder Juan Soto to San Diego. 'It'll just be cool being around some of the best players in the game,' Wood said. Kershaw last week became the 20th pitcher to reach 3,000 strikeouts and Commissioner Rob Manfred made the left-hander the 65th All-Star as a so-called Legend Pick, his first since selecting Miguel Cabrera and Albert Pujols in 2022 under a provision in the then-new collective bargaining agreement. Kershaw gives the Dodgers at least five All-Stars for the sixth straight season. The oldest NL All-Star at 37 and most senior All-Star with 11 selections, Kershaw is joined by Yamamoto and fan-elected starters Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. Detroit and Seattle will have four players each at the game. Starting pitchers Hunter Brown of Houston, Garrett Crochet of Boston, Jacob deGrom of Texas, Max Fried of the New York Yankees and Tarik Skubal of Detroit were voted to the AL staff by players, managers and coaches along with relievers Aroldis Chapman of Boston, Josh Hader of Houston and Andrés Muñoz of Seattle. Chapman is the oldest All-Star, born 19 days before Kershaw. AL reserves picked by players included Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk, Tampa Bay first baseman Jonathan Aranda and second baseman Brandon Lowe, Houston shortstop Jeremy Peña, Boston third baseman Alex Bregman, Athletics designated hitter Brent Rooker and outfielders Byron Buxton of Minnesota, Steven Kwan of Cleveland and Julio Rodríguez of Seattle. MLB used its six picks on pitchers Kris Bubic of Kansas City, Yusei Kikuchi of the Los Angeles Angels, Shane Smith of the Chicago White Sox and Bryan Woo of Seattle, along with Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. 'Red carpet, that's my thing,' Chisholm said. 'I do have a 'fit in mind.' Smith became the second player since 2000 to become an All-Star in the season after he was selected in the Rule 5 draft, following Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla in 2006, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Smith was left unprotected by Milwaukee and joined Wilson (Athletics) as the only rookies on the All-Star rosters. Pittsburgh's Skenes, Washington's MacKenzie Gore, Atlanta's Chris Sale, San Francisco's Logan Webb and Philadelphia's Zack Wheeler were elected to the starting rotation by players along with relievers Jason Adam of San Diego, Edwin Díaz of the New York Mets and Randy Rodríguez of San Francisco. Skenes started last year's All-Star Game just 66 days after his major league debut, pitching a hitless inning in the NL's 5-3 loss at Arlington, Texas. Player-elected NL reserves were Colorado catcher Hunter Goodman, Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, St. Louis second baseman Brendan Donovan, Cincinnati's De La Cruz at shortstop, Arizona third baseman Eugenio Suárez, Philadelphia DH Kyle Schwarber and Wood, Arizona's Corbin Carroll and the Padres' Fernando Tatis Jr. in the outfield. MLB's NL picks were Yamamoto, the Cubs' Matthew Boyd, Milwaukee's Freddy Peralta and the Giants' Robbie Ray for the pitching staff along with Atlanta first baseman Matt Olson and Miami outfielder Kyle Stowers. Mets outfielder Juan Soto, Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts, Blue Jays outfielder George Springer, Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and Cardinals pitcher Sonny Gray were not picked. There usually are about 10 roster replacements between the announcements and the game. AP freelance writer Patrick Stevens in Washington contributed to this report. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
