Posted on 07/12/2022 4:35:48 PM PDT by Bullish
LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he hoped his team would have seven All-Stars named to the Midsummer Classic. That didn’t turn out to be the case, at least for now, as Freddie Freeman, Julio Urías and Will Smith were left off the team.
After Mookie Betts and Trea Turner were named National League starters at their respective positions, pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin were announced Sunday as All-Stars to round out the roster. Roberts broke the news to his two pitchers before Sunday’s 11-9 win over the Cubs.
“I think that for me, one of the big joys that I’ve seen is Clayton’s growth as a person,” Roberts said. “I think that having kids and, you know, as you get further along in your career, I think that he’s kind of embracing all the things that he’s been able to accomplish, because nothing is guaranteed moving forward. I think that you saw a little bit of gratitude from him, which is pretty cool to see.”
There was some doubt about whether Kershaw would be selected to the NL team given he missed a month with a back injury. To date, he has pitched 63 2/3 innings. But when healthy, Kershaw has been one of the best pitchers in the league.
Kershaw put a stamp on his first half resume on Saturday, allowing two runs (one earned) and striking out 10 over 7 2/3 innings of work in a 4-2 win over the Cubs. With a 2.40 ERA in 11 starts, Kershaw earned his ninth career All-Star Game selection, which is the second most in franchise history behind Pee Wee Reese (10).
“I’m going to try and take it all in as best I can,” Kershaw said. “As the years go by, you start to appreciate things a little bit more, so every time I get to pitch at Dodger Stadium or every time we get a win, every time something significant happens, I try to take it in a little bit more because you never know when it’ll be the last time.
“It’s no different with this All-Star Game. I’m super excited about it. It really will be cool to do one at home. It’s a special place for me personally and to get to do that in front of the home crowd will be really cool.”
For the next week, the conversation will shift toward whether the future Hall of Famer should get the start at Dodger Stadium. Braves manager Brian Snitker will have to decide between names such as Sandy Alcantara, Max Fried, Gonsolin and Kershaw. Of the group, Alcantara has put together the best first half, at least by the numbers.
But Kershaw is the best left-handed pitcher of his generation and arguably the best pitcher in franchise history. He has accomplished just about everything in his illustrious career. The one thing missing is being able to say he started a Midsummer Classic. At 34, this could be Kershaw’s last chance to accomplish that.
With the game at Dodger Stadium, the only ballpark Kershaw has called home in his career, the left-hander has a valid case to start the game for the National League.
“I think that the All-Star Game is for the fans,” Roberts said. “There’s really no more prominent pitcher in Major League Baseball than Clayton Kershaw.”
Kershaw signed a one-year deal with the Dodgers back in March with a World Series in mind. He has said he’s taking his career one year at a time. In the process, Kershaw has learned to appreciate things more than he did at the beginning of his career. Part of that comes due to the uncertainty he faced this winter. He considered signing with the Rangers in order to stay in his Dallas-area home. But moments like an All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium will continue to make the journey all worth it for the future Hall of Famer.
“Maybe this time around I do understand a little bit more and I’m a little more excited,” Kershaw said. “I think also with how I get to share it with people. I think Charley, this is kind of the first year for him that he’s been really around the clubhouse and hanging out a little bit more. So for him to get to watch the Home Run Derby as a five-year-old, six-year-old, it will be really cool.”
Gonsolin deserves a spot. The All Star game should be started by Kershaw, since the ASG will be played in Los Angeles. Legacy picks for the ASG are Kershaw and Pujols. Freeman is ready for the league MVP in the NL as is Judge in the AL. In other news, three hitters on the Pirates hit three home runs in different game in the same month in May 2022. Amazing. First time in history.
I heard Kershaw’s starting against the Angels Ohtani. That’s pretty cool for an AS-game in LA.
Freeman is not even close to MVP. Goldschmidt is unchallenged so far. Alonso also ahead of Fred.
Tyler Anderson has had a great year so far, perhaps better than Kershaw. But you have to have Kershaw at the All-Star game at Dodger Stadium.
Gave up on Dodgers and baseball when the players refused to play after the rapist fugitive with a knife was shot by police in Wisconsin.
Let’s go baseball.
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