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Clayton Kershaw cherishes All-Star moment on a night dedicated to Dodgers greats
In a game celebrating stars past and present, it was the man at the intersection of the two who shined brightest Tuesday night.
From the moment he walked out of the dugout on Tuesday, beginning his warm up for the first All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium since 1980, Clayton Kershaw was met with immediate applause.
When he was introduced during a pregame ceremony while getting loose in the bullpen, a hometown crowd of 52,518 erupted in one of its loudest cheers of the night.
And before he toed the rubber for the first All-Star Game start of his career, taking the field to his usual entrance song of “We Are Young” by Fun, Kershaw took a step back and let himself gaze at the surroundings — a rare moment of sentimentality from the 34-year-old pitcher.
American League defeats National League 3-2 in All-Star Game
Cleveland Guardians reliever Emmanuel Clase retired the National League’s final batters in order to preserve a 3-2 win for the American League in the MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night. It was the American League’s ninth consecutive victory in the Midsummer Classic.
Clase struck out Garrett Cooper, Kyle Schwarber and Jake Cronenworth to end the game.
New York Yankees star Giancarlo Stanton, who hit a two-run home run in the fourth inning and attended Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, was selected as the game’s MVP. Tony Gonsolin, who hasn’t lost a game this season for the Dodgers, took the loss after giving up back-to-back homers to Stanton and Byron Buxton.
Final score: American League 3, National League 2
American League leads 3-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth
Neither team has scored a run since the fourth inning, when home runs by Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton against Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin pushed the American League to a 3-2 lead.
Cleveland pitcher Emmanuel Clase will take the mound in the bottom of the ninth tasked with preserving the win for the American League. If the game is tied after nine innings, the game will be decided by a home run derby.
Miami’s Garrett Cooper, a Loyola High graduate from Manhattan Beach, will bat first for the National League.
Will a home run derby decide this year’s All-Star Game?
It has been a low-scoring MLB All-Star Game so far, with the American League holding a 3-2 lead over the National League through seven innings. There’s still plenty of time for either of these star-studded teams to go on a scoring frenzy, but maybe it’s not too early to speculate on this game being decided by a home run derby.
Yes, to the All-Star Game uninitiated, a home run derby is what decides the All-Star Game if its tied after nine innings. So how does the whole thing work? Well...
- The manager on each team selects three players to participate in the derby.
- The managers select the coaches they want to throw during the derby.
- Each player gets three swings. The team with the highest combined total of home runs after three rounds wins the game.
- The head-to-head format continues until the tie is broken.
- AL 2022 batters: Ty France, Julio Rodríguez, Kyle Tucker
- NL 2022 batters: Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr., Kyle Schwarber
Clayton Kershaw meets a special fan after All-Star appearance
Blake Grice, a 10-year-old aspiring reporter, spoke with Clayton Kershaw to close his postgame news conference.
Grice, who came with his family from Colorado to cover the game for his YouTube channel, said his grandfather, Torrance resident Graham Grice, died of cancer before getting the chance to check off his bucket list goal of meeting Kershaw and Vin Scully.
Blake teared up while telling Kershaw “it was very important moment to me.”
Kershaw responded, “aww, buddy” and hugged Blake. They posed for a photo after Kershaw comforted Blake.
After Kershaw left, Blake tried to describe his moment with the All-Star pitcher: “I don’t have the words. I’m just really happy.”
Here’s a transcript of the conversation:
Kershaw: Oh, what’s up dude?
Grice: Hello, I just want to come up here. Um, this one was kind of special. So, I’m Billy Grice. I’m from Denver, Colorado, and I want to tell you a quick little story. So my grandpa loved you. He watched the 1988 Series. And he wanted to meet you and Vin Scully one day. So this moment is important to me because I’m meeting you for him. He was from Redondo Beach and a little while ago, some years ago he died from brain cancer...
Kershaw: Oh, come here, dude. Great to meet you. Thanks for telling me. That took a lot of courage to tell me that, I appreciate that. Great to meet you. Your granddad sounded like an awesome guy, yeah? Thanks for coming up. That took a lot of courage, man. That was awesome.
Brice: Thank you for your time.
Kershaw: Yeah. Absolutely. Thanks for coming. ... Do you have a parent here or anything? (laughter, then dad is shown and takes photo).
Giancarlo Stanton and Byron Buxton hit back-to-back homers off Tony Gonsolin
Giancarlo Stanton crushed a two-run home run and Byron Buxton followed with a towering solo shot off Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin to give the American League a 3-2 lead over the National League.
Stanton’s home run traveled 457 feet, landing deep in left-field pavilion. Buxton’s blast traveled 425 feet over the left-field corner. Gonsolin struck out Andres Gimenez and got Alejandro Kirk to ground out to short to end the frame.
⚾ End of the fourth: AL 3, NL 2
Alek Manoah provides some mic’d up entertainment from the mound
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Alek Manoah was mic’d up for the second inning, and he provided interesting and entertaining commentary, even if it seemed strange the pitcher was talking to Joe Davis and John Smoltz between pitches.
Manoah even took some not-so-good advice from Smoltz, who told him to try to strike out Jeff McNeil with his backfoot slider. After replying, “Ah, you sexy,” Manoah hit the Mets second baseman with a pitch. But he did manage to strike out William Contreras, Joc Peterson and Ronald Acuna Jr. to make quick work of the inning.
⚾ End of second: NL 2, AL 0
Mookie Betts and Paul Goldschmidt open scoring for NL
Mookie Betts drove in Ronald Acuna Jr. on a single off Shane McClanahan to give the National League a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
Two batters later, the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt hit a solo home run off McClanahan to give the NL a 2-0 lead.
⚾ End of the first inning: National League 2, American League 0
Clayton Kershaw picks off Shohei Ohtani at first base
A pickoff move during the All-Star Game?
That’s exactly what Clayton Kershaw pulled off on Angels star Shohei Ohtani in the first inning.
After Ohtani hit a first-pitch single off Kershaw, the Dodgers pitcher caught Ohtani by surprise by making a pickoff throw to first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, who snared the Angels’ two-way star with a quick tag.
Kershaw laughed at his achievement, as did Ohtani as he jogged back to the dugout.
Kershaw then struck out Aaron Judge, walked Rafael Devers and got Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to ground out to second to cap the frame.
After his stint ended, Kershaw provided some perspective on what starting at Dodger Stadium in the All-Star Game means to him:
Fernando Valenzuela throws out the ceremonial first pitch
Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela, who made his MLB debut with the Dodgers during the season the team last hosted the All-Star Game 42 years ago, threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday:
Denzel Washington performs tribute to Jackie Robinson before the game
Actor Denzel Washington gave a on-field speech in tribute of Jackie Robinson before the game, recognizing the trailblazer’s impact on sports and society.
Dodgers All-Star Mookie Betts then took the mic and, standing with all players behind him, paid recognition to Rachel Robinson, Jackie’s wife, who turned 100 years old Tuesday. Betts asked everyone in the stadium to wish Rachel a happy birthday, getting a “Happy birthday, Rachel!” from the fans and players.
Check out The Times’ complete coverage on the 75th anniversary of Robinson breaking the baseball color barrier:
MLB celebrates Jackie Robinson Day on Friday, which is the 75th anniversary of the Dodgers legend breaking baseball’s color barrier. Here’s our coverage.
Houston Astros players booed before start of All-Star Game
In the most predictable news to come out of the MLB All-Star Game, Houston Astros players were booed during on-field player introductions.
Astros manager Dusty Baker said earlier this week that he hoped his players wouldn’t be booed, but he probably knows that was wishful thinking. Baker was also booed.
Conversely, Dodgers All-Star Freddie Freeman received a warm response from the crowd while being introduced. So did Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Trea Turner.
Former Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson also got a nice ovation from the crowd despite representing the San Francisco Giants.
Recording artist Ben Platt sung the national anthem, which was capped off with a pair of F-22s and an F-16 doing a Dodger Stadium flyover.
Clayton Kershaw feels the love at Dodger Stadium
Clayton Kershaw, who will start for the National League in the MLB All-Star Game tonight, received a warm welcome to the field for pregame warmups.
Kershaw was announced as the starter Monday, three days after he threw seven perfect innings against the Angels — the second time this season he threw seven perfect innings in a game.
Shohei Ohtani wants to win and can’t in Anaheim, but the Angels still can’t trade him
Shohei Ohtani is a planner.
The day before the All-Star Game, Ohtani acknowledged he has long dreamed of being inducted into the Hall of Fame, revealing his move to the major leagues was timed to optimize his chances.
The American League’s leadoff hitter also spoke about wanting to represent Japan at the World Baseball Classic next year, saying he’s informally broached the subject with Angels officials, who sound as if they will allow him to play in the tournament.
Here’s what’s worrisome for the Angels: When asked on Monday about his future with the franchise, he replied with a series of nonanswers.
Ohtani didn’t say he wanted to be traded before the Aug. 2 deadline. But he didn’t say he wanted to stay either.
When it comes to the chop, pitcher Ryan Helsley hopes the Braves will do the right thing
Do you live in a tepee?
Think about that for a second. You are an All-Star, a pitcher at the top of your game. No matter.
Ryan Helsley is a member of the St. Louis Cardinals. He also is a Native American, a member of Cherokee Nation. He has to wonder whether people will ask him if he lives in a tepee, because people have asked him that.
This is the 21st century. The tepee is a outdated caricature. So is the tomahawk chop.
Helsley explained that to the Atlanta Braves three years ago. The Braves continue to do the chop, as part of a light and sound production integral to the fan experience at Truist Park.
“We’ll see how they intend on taking the approach to change,” Helsley said Monday at Dodger Stadium, “and if they want to.”
Rachel Robinson herself is a revelation. Happy 100th!
One figure often mentioned in baseball’s integration story is Rachel Isum, who grew up in South Los Angeles and enjoyed visiting Exposition Park’s Rose Garden as a little girl. In 1946, she took the name most know her by, Rachel Robinson, when she married Jack Roosevelt Robinson. They had met at UCLA in 1941 and wed in 1946 shortly before they left together for spring training in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Rachel Robinson is often portrayed as Jackie’s strong and supporting partner in biographies. She would “cheer the Dodgers at Ebbets Field and help raise the couple’s three children.”
She was also later known for her fierce advocacy against housing discrimination when she detailed the hurdles and closed doors she and her husband faced while trying to buy a home in New York and Connecticut. An interview with the Bridgeport Herald newspaper resulted in an exposé on racism within the housing market and cleared the way for the couple to buy a home in North Stamford, Conn.
Think you know everything about Dodger Stadium?
Dodger Stadium turned 60 years old, and despite the ol’ ballpark cementing itself as a legend in Los Angeles and baseball, it still holds some secrets.
Here are seven details about Dodger Stadium you might not know:
In honor of Dodger Stadium turning 60 years old, we asked Janet Marie Smith, Dodger executive vice president of planning and development, to show us some of the lesser-known details about the stadium.
Starters for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game
Here are players who will be starting for the American League and National League for the 92nd MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, the first midsummer classic to be played in Chavez Ravine in 42 years:
Photos: Best moments from the 2022 Home Run Derby
Monday night’s MLB All-Star Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium was a memorable lumber showcase, featuring baseball’s rising stars and a living legend.
Here are some of the best photos of the event:
Get your hot dogs (and much more) here. A guide to eating at Dodger Stadium
Heading out to Dodger Stadium for the All-Star Game? Or just wondering what to eat the next time you attend a Dodgers game? You will have plenty of choices.
The food and beverages offered at every U.S. ballpark have evolved to cater to the local fan base. MLB teams have stepped it up in the fan experience when it comes to dining at the ballpark. Yes, you still can eat your traditional hot dog and peanuts, however, each team has diversified its menu that resonates with the fan base and city, and hopefully to attract a new wave of baseball fans.
Dodger Stadium is no exception. The ballpark is known for its famous 10-inch Dodger Dog. But did you know that the ballpark also offers dessert nachos and spiral potatoes?
Fernando Valenzuela will throw out the first pitch at All-Star Game
Dodgers great Fernando Valenzuela, who made his Dodgers debut during the same season the Dodgers last hosted the All-Star Game in 1980, will throw out the first pitch at today’s All-Star Game.
For more on Valenzuela’s impact on the Dodgers and baseball, be sure to check out The Times’ award-winning video series, “Fernandomania@40”:
And here’s some of the pregame entertainment being offered a Dodger Stadium a couple hours before the first pitch:
Juan Soto hitting the trade market is the talk of the All-Star Game
Juan Soto knew the drill when he arrived for Monday’s All-Star Game media availability at Dodger Stadium. The media throng was waiting. The questions were coming.
When he found the table with his nameplate and a sea of sportswriters and cameramen baking in the heat, he stepped behind the backdrop, away from the group, for a conversation with the other man everyone wanted to hear from: his agent Scott Boras. It was time for a quick final prep session.
“How we doing?” Soto said to the media as he took his seat after the chat.
Then came the barrage from all angles, in English and Spanish, about his future for the next 45 minutes, with Boras hovering a few feet away.
On Saturday, news surfaced that the Washington Nationals were open to trading Soto, their superstar outfielder, by the Aug. 2 trade deadline after he rejected a 15-year, $440 million contract extension. The development, a month after Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo declared he wouldn’t trade Soto, sent shockwaves across the majors. On Monday, it dominated the discourse.
Dry eyes and renewed focus — Freddie Freeman is finally a Dodger
He wasn’t unhinged. He wasn’t unstable. He didn’t cry.
A day after being a last-minute addition to the National League All-Star team, the Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman held a 51-minute conversation with the media Monday that was notable for what didn’t happen.
He didn’t yell at anyone. He didn’t fire an agent. He didn’t profess love for another team.
After four crazy months, the dude actually seemed pretty chill.
“I’m really happy here,” he said, and for the first time that sounded believable.
Gone were the tears that irritated some of his teammates when he cried and cried over leaving Atlanta. Gone was the anger directed at those who reasonably wondered whether those tears were real or he was simply bawling to avoid getting booed.
Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge show off their All-Star swings
Angels star Shohei Ohtani will be leading off for the American League in the MLB-All-Star Game, and he gave fans — and players — a look at his MVP-caliber swing in batting practice before the game.
He wasn’t the only AL MVP candidate swinging the lumber. Home run leader Aaron Judge also got put in some pregame swing work.
Dodger Stadium provides a picturesque setting for the MLB All-Star Game.
Dodgers broadcaster Joe Davis comfortable as ‘the voice of baseball’ at Fox
As Brad Zager remembers it, the decision was made within hours.
On a Friday in March, news broke that Fox Sports lead MLB and NFL broadcaster Joe Buck would be leaving the network for ESPN.
By the next afternoon, Zager, Fox Sports president of production and operations, was on a flight to Las Vegas, wasting little time in pursuit of Buck’s baseball replacement.
“It was a very, very short turnaround,” Zager said. “We knew we had the guy in-house that we wanted.”
Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw to start All-Star Game for National League at home stadium
He has won three Cy Young Awards and been named to nine All-Star teams.
He is a five-time ERA champion and a former MVP.
He has started 388 career regular-season games, and 23 in the postseason.
And on Tuesday night, in the only big league ballpark he’s ever called home, he’ll add one more start — and one more accolade — to his future Hall-of-Fame career.
Clayton Kershaw will be the starting pitcher for the National League in this year’s All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, giving the Dodgers left-hander his first career start in a midsummer classic.
Mookie Betts shares a message before the All-Star Game
Dodgers star Mookie Betts showed up to batting practice before the start of the 92nd All-Star Game on Tuesday wearing a shirt that read, “We need more Black people at the Stadium.”
Betts talked about his decision to wear the shirt:
After he played in the All-Star Game, Betts spoke to reporters about why he wore the shirt.