In what could be his final All-Star appearance, Dodgers icon Clayton Kershaw delivered a memorable and entertaining performance Tuesday night at Truist Park in Atlanta. The 36-year-old lefty was mic’d up live during his inning of work in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, providing fans with an intimate and humorous look into the mind of one of baseball’s most celebrated pitchers.
Taking the mound in the second inning after NL starter Paul Skenes, Kershaw faced two formidable opponents — both past Home Run Derby champions: Cal Raleigh of the Mariners, who claimed the 2025 title just a day prior, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Blue Jays, who won the Derby in 2023.
As he toed the rubber, Kershaw offered real-time commentary with the FOX broadcast crew. “I’m going to throw some cheese real quick, hang on,” he said with a grin, referring to his fastball. True to his word, he fired the first pitch to Raleigh, who lined out to left field.
Next up was Guerrero Jr., and the duel quickly turned into a five-pitch battle. After Guerrero worked the count to 2-2, Kershaw froze him with a well-placed slider that caught the corner. “This might be my last batter, guys,” he quipped, then asked, “How hard was that one? 91 [mph]? It was an out, OK. Alright, going cheese again.”
When Guerrero struck out looking, Kershaw chuckled and admitted, “Oh, yeah. Right down the middle. I’m so glad he didn’t swing.” The moment was classic Kershaw — humble, lighthearted, and competitive all at once.
The inning was short — just six pitches — but it was filled with charm, nostalgia, and a little bit of strategy talk. Kershaw even bantered with Hall of Famer John Smoltz, who was calling the game from the booth.
“What do you want? Smoltzy, what do you want?” Kershaw asked mid-inning.
Smoltz replied, “Cutter in. Slider in.”
“I don’t throw a cutter, Smoltzy,” Kershaw replied, laughing.
Kershaw’s ability to combine elite performance with personality was on full display. The mic’d-up segment not only highlighted his pitching prowess but also gave fans a rare look at the fun, candid side of one of baseball’s modern legends.
When Dodgers manager Dave Roberts came to relieve him after his inning, he handed Kershaw the game ball and told him, “That’s yours. You keep it.” It was a fitting tribute to a pitcher who, earlier this month, became just the 20th player in MLB history to reach 3,000 career strikeouts — a milestone that cemented his place among the game’s elite.
Kershaw was named a “Legend Pick” for this year’s Midsummer Classic, recognizing both his career achievements and his impact on the game. “It’s not charity,” Roberts said when the selection was announced. “It’s something that’s earned over a long period of time. What he’s done for the game — on the field, off the field — matters.”
Kershaw entered the break with a 4-1 record and a 3.38 ERA in 10 starts. While his future remains uncertain, one thing is clear: Tuesday night’s performance was a perfect blend of legacy, levity, and lasting impact — a moment wor
thy of a baseball legend.