LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw, one of the best pitchers in Dodgers history, has accomplished just about everything on the Dodger Stadium mound. It’s where Kershaw has won 101 games en route to three National League Cy Young Awards and one NL MVP Award. Earlier this season, Kershaw became the Dodgers’ all-time strikeout leader in front of his home fans.
Dodger Stadium has become a special place for Kershaw. It’s the only place he has called home during his illustrious 15-year career. On Tuesday, Kershaw will get a chance to check off another box in his Hall of Fame career.
Braves manager Brian Snitker announced on Monday that Kershaw will be the starting pitcher for the NL in the All-Star Game. It’s the first time Kershaw will have had the honor, and fittingly it comes in front of the Dodger Stadium crowd. He'll oppose American League starter Shane McClanahan, the Rays' 25-year-old ace who leads the Majors in ERA and WHIP.
“I think, honestly, in the All-Star Games that I’ve been to in the past, just being a part of them has been so great,” Kershaw said. “But I think because it’s at Dodger Stadium, I think there’s a little more meaning. It’s really cool to be a part of it and be around the guys in general. But this time specifically, for me, to be at home, it meant a lot more this time, for sure.”
Over the past few weeks, the discussion surrounding the NL starter has centered around Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara and Kershaw. Alcantara was the most consistent starter in the NL in the first half, leading the league in ERA (1.76) with two complete games and 138 1/3 innings. Snitker said the decision was a “tough one,” but Kershaw’s name always came to mind.
Kershaw said he thought Alcantara, teammate Tony Gonsolin and Braves left-hander Max Fried were more deserving than him. Alcantara acknowledged he wanted to start the game, but he was happy to see Kershaw get an opportunity to start at home, becoming just the seventh pitcher to do so in the expansion era (since 1961).
“Those are decisions that are out of my control, and I have to respect it,” Alcantara said in Spanish. “I’m super happy for Kershaw. Super happy for the job that we’ve both been able to do in the first half. He’s a legend. This is his house.”
Despite missing a month with a back injury, Kershaw has been one of the best starting pitchers in the NL. He’s 7-2 with a 2.13 ERA in 12 starts this season. His past three starts have been his most dominant stretch, posting a 0.40 ERA while striking out 24 over 22 2/3 innings.
On Friday, Kershaw took a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Angels, becoming the only pitcher in the past 40 years to have a perfect game through at least seven innings twice in the same season.
“I’m proud of him and excited for him. He deserves it,” Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner said. “He’s pitching really well for us. He’s done so much for this city and this organization, and he deserves it just as much as anybody.”
A few months ago, this moment seemed nearly impossible. Last October, in his last regular-season start, Kershaw left the game early with a left elbow injury. Kershaw kept the ball in his hand as he walked into the clubhouse. Hours later, he was still wearing his Dodgers uniform.
At the time, there were questions whether that was the last time Kershaw would pitch for the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. He became an unrestricted free agent, and joining the Rangers was a possibility in order to stay closer to his family in Dallas.
Had the elbow injury been worse, there would’ve been questions about Kershaw continuing his career. However, a PRP injection during the postseason was deemed the best course of action. The injection prevented Kershaw from picking up a baseball until January 1, which is much later than he’s accustomed to.
The Dodgers weren’t expecting Kershaw to be ready for Opening Day. But Kershaw had other plans, proving to everyone -- including himself -- that he was healthy. Since then, Kershaw has said he’s appreciating every moment more than he did when he was younger.
Kershaw doesn’t know how many more big moments he has left in his career. He’s taking things one year at a time. On Tuesday night, he’ll get a chance to experience another special moment at the stadium that will one day retire his No. 22.
“When you get older, everything gets put into perspective a little bit more, and everything in this game, just how special it is, and that it’s not going to last forever,” Kershaw said. “I’m just trying to enjoy it. I’m going to enjoy it tomorrow, and I think [my family] will, too.”