In an all-star game ruled by the youth, Clayton Kershaw receives tribute

Atlanta-die faces from MLBS next generation stepped onto the hill to start the All-Star game 2025, but at the end of the night everyone has a homage to the generation.

Clayton Kershaw took over in his 11th all-star game in the second inning on Tuesday evening in Truist Park for Pittsburgh Pirates Flamethrower Paul Slenes. The National League defeated the American League in a downturn after the ninth inning ended with a 6: 6 draw. Despite all the last-minute chaos, the last all-star game for a living legend could still have appeared in news conferences of players in the entire league.

“He is probably one of the Mount Rushmore boys in the history of Dodger,” said New York Mets first Baseman Pete Alonso.

Kershaw, who recently became the fourth left-handed pitcher, who collected 3,000 strikeouts, worked quickly from Cal Raleigh and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for his first two outs, before NL manager Dave Roberts pulled him out of the game. Kershaw offered Roberts the ball, but Roberts told him that he should keep him.

“That is yours,” said Roberts when Kershaw went off the hill.

Kershaw-4: 1 with an ERA of 3.38 in 10 starts this season-in this game because he was a so-called legend election from the commissioner's office. It is a way to honor players who have designed this game in their recent years. Before Tuesday, however, Kershaw was strange when he was an honor.

“My first answer was fair, they never want to take the place of someone or they never want to be a minority,” said Kershaw. “You just want to be part of it because you deserve it.”

In the end, Kershaw said he was glad that he was there.

He excluded Guerrero and when he went back, Kershaw received standing ovation from the Truist Park. He blew kisses to his family in the stands. Mic -Mic -Mic -on the Fox show, he even showed an Ornery page. “Suck it, Big Dumper,” he said, referring to Raleigh when he was sheltered in the shelter.

“This is one of the best that will ever do,” said Raleigh. “A lot of respect for him and what he did for the game. Only really cool that I was allowed to face it, and definitely something that I will remember.”

Jason Adam, a helper at the rival San Diego Padres and admirer of Kershaws, replaced the left -hander in the game. Then he said to Kershaw: “That was one of the coolest experiences of my career.”

Ryan O'Hearn watched Kershaw as a fan before debuting the majors in 2018. Now O'Hearn looked from the circle in front of the deck when Kershaw left the field for the last time in this area.

“What a legend in the game,” said Baltimore Orioles outfield. “Of course what he did is incredible.”

Hours before Kershaw set up in an all-star game for the eighth time in his career, he had talked about the harvest of young pitchers who rule today's game.

Slenes and the starter of the American League, Tarik Skubal, have become dominant forces. Jacob Misiorowski was one of the big topics of the all-star week. Garrett crochet and Mackenzie Gore have thrive. Kershaw sees the talent and the development of the game.

“I never threw it so hard,” he joked.

Kershaw represents a different breed. At a time at which jugs are often injured and their inner sessions like never before, Kershaw could be the last pitcher, which will soon reach 3,000 strikes. He is a three-time CY-Young winner with 216 wins of his name. Almost all of these players that Kershaw talked about have looked up for him since they were old enough to drive.

“It is an honor to finally hit him,” said Misiorowski. “Maybe it's his last (all-star game), maybe not. I don't hope because I want to be a little more with him.”

At the beginning of this season, Skubal was Starstruck when he spoke to Kershaw on the field in the Dodger Stadium.

“Only about process, slider, fastball, schedule, preparation, how he has done it over the years – it was a bin with me,” Skubal said. “I am very grateful for these 20 minutes. It feels like I have had knowledge from him for a lifetime.”

Here in Atlanta Skenes said that he had tried to keep his distance and Kershaw's time in a busy week. But he was in the waiting room for the red carpet show with Kershaw and his family and enjoyed the opportunity.

“He is such a class,” said Slenes. “Of course it is so impressive what he did in the game, but the person he is. To watch them are as he is a father, it was a cool experience for me.”

Before the All-Star game on Tuesday, Roberts Kershaw had a meeting with the NL team. Kershaw spoke about the honor of the All-Star game and thanked the players for the trouble of being there. Kershaw is connected to Mike Trout for the most of the all-star selection of an active player.

“The all-star game can sometimes be difficult for players,” said Kershaw. “It is a lot of travel. It is a lot of stress, chaos, family, all the stuff, but it is meaningful. It is effective for the game. It is important for the game. We have the best all-star game of a sport. We have the best product. So to be here to recognize your responsibility in sport is important.”

Adam called Kershaw “the best in the game” and showed his appreciation that Kershaw did exactly that and gave up his break to be there. “(To) come here and do this for the baseball game and to be here with us and to lead us was really something special,” said Adam.

Manny Machado, who was briefly teammate at Kershaw during the 2018 season, spoke of Kershaw's general importance, which goes far beyond the rivalry between Machados Padres and Kershaws Dodgers Los Angeles.

“I think they are talking about legends of the game,” said Machado about Kershaw's ovation. “I think the game is above the competition when you go out there.”

Roberts watched two days with how his venerated left-hander dealt with the gravitas of the All-Star game. Kershaw trotted around with his family, stayed until the end of the Homerun derby, and rose throughout the splendor, even though he had done it so often.

“I loved to see Clayton happily,” said Roberts.

Tuesday evening after Kershaw spoke to media members after his trip, he left the Truist Park Interview Room.

At that moment, part of a former generation of Kershaw stopped and added another connection to the chain that connects the players over time.

The Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez looked at Kershaw and said to him: “See you in Cooperstown, brother.”

(Top photo: Jamie Squire / Getty Images)