Clayton Kershaw has wholesome response to making 2025 All-Star Game

As Los Angeles Dodgers' starters dropped like flies in the early going of the season, the team was left scrambling, searching for answers in their quest to repeat as champions. Their best hope to tread water was their 37-year-old former ace, Clayton Kershaw, though his success in his 17th year in the majors was an open question, especially after undergoing offseason surgeries on both his left toe and left knee.

Making his season debut on May 17, Kershaw was exactly what the doctor ordered for the ailing Dodgers' rotation. While he is no longer at the peak of his powers, his presence was a stabilizing force in the rotation, given all the early-season turmoil.

Personally, he had little left to prove. The three-time Cy Young winner had already established himself as not only one of the best pitchers of his generation but also one of the best ever, stamping that declaration by becoming the 20th member of the 3,000 career strikeout club earlier this season.

Kershaw didn't need any more accolades, but when selected by MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred to this year's festivities as a "Legend Pick," Kershaw's response couldn't have been more wholesome.

"You never take for granted getting to go to an All-Star Game, regardless of the circumstances. Obviously, I don't deserve to get to go this season. I haven't pitched very much."

C'mon now Clayton!

Clayton Kershaw's wholesome response to All-Star game inclusion downplays how good he's been this season

Kershaw's right about one thing: compared to other workhorses named to the mid-summer Festivities in Atlanta, he hasn't pitched much. On the season, he's started just 10 games, hurling 50 2/3 innings.

However, when he's been out there, he's been plenty deserving. The plan going into 2025 was to ease the legend back, and utilize him only in spurts that were advantageous to the grizzled southpaw and the club.

That plan went out the window very early on, and instead the Dodgers have needed to count on Kershaw as a key member of their starting rotation since his return from the injured list.

He's delivered in every way, posting a 3.38 ERA so far, warranting inclusion in the All-Star celebrations, and showing his selection is actually deserving and not just a career achievement type of recognition.

Most impressive is how Kershaw's gotten it done this year. While never a flamethrower, Kershaw in his prime always had more than enough velocity to get it done. Now, however, his average fastball velocity sits at 88.9 MPH, and he's become a junkball artist, hurling up a variety of different breaking balls as his bread and butter.

Despite his physical limitations now at his advanced age, he's still getting it done. Hitters are still baffled and unbalanced whenever he takes the hill, and he's been one of the biggest stabilizing forces for the Dodgers this season.

So, yes, Clayton, you might not be at your peak anymore, but you definitely deserve this honor. Not only that, but Dodger fans can't help but admire your humility. Now go out and enjoy Atlanta, you've earned it.