Clayton Kershaw Delivers Pre-Game Message to NL All-Stars as Young Players Cherish Sharing Locker Room With a Living Legend
The MLB All-Star Game is more than just a midseason exhibition. It’s a celebration of excellence, a gathering of the sport’s elite, and a rare opportunity for the game’s greatest talents to stand side by side. But in the 2025 edition of the Midsummer Classic, something even more special unfolded behind the scenes—Clayton Kershaw, the veteran ace and future Hall of Famer, stood in the middle of the National League locker room and addressed a group of wide-eyed stars, many of whom had grown up idolizing him.
At 37 years old, Kershaw has seen more than most. He’s won Cy Young Awards, tossed a no-hitter, secured a World Series title, and built a career that has made him one of the most respected players of his generation. His appearance in the 2025 All-Star Game was not just another accolade—it was a symbolic passing of the torch. For many of the younger players on the National League roster, simply being in the same room as Kershaw was an honor in itself.
As the team prepared for the game, Kershaw stood before his peers—some seasoned veterans, many rising stars—and shared a heartfelt message that set the tone for the night. It wasn’t loud or showy. It wasn’t filled with clichés. It was classic Kershaw: honest, grounded, and deeply thoughtful.
According to sources within the NL clubhouse, Kershaw’s message was simple but powerful.
“You never know how many of these you’ll get,” he said. “So soak it in. Be grateful. And remember what got you here.”
It was the kind of statement only someone like Kershaw could deliver with such weight. He wasn’t just speaking from experience—he was speaking from legacy. For over 15 seasons, Kershaw has been the gold standard of pitching excellence. He has seen the game evolve, watched countless teammates come and go, and survived the physical and mental toll of elite competition.
So when he tells a room full of 20-somethings to appreciate the moment, they listen.
“He didn’t have to say much,” said NL shortstop Elly De La Cruz. “Just seeing him in here, hearing him talk—it meant everything. That’s Clayton Kershaw. That’s a legend.”
Kershaw made his All-Star debut in 2011. Back then, he was the young ace in awe of the veterans around him—players like Roy Halladay, Chipper Jones, and Mariano Rivera. Now, the roles have reversed. Players like Corbin Carroll, CJ Abrams, and Jackson Chourio grew up watching Kershaw dominate on national television. For them, this All-Star Game wasn’t just about being recognized—it was about finally meeting one of their baseball heroes.
“I used to mimic his delivery in Little League,” said Carroll with a smile. “Now I’m in the same clubhouse as him. That’s crazy.”
Indeed, Kershaw represents a bridge between eras. His command of the game, his signature curveball, and his consistency have made him one of the last true icons of a generation that included Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Adam Wainwright. And while he’s not quite done yet, his presence in this year’s All-Star Game carried the unmistakable weight of nostalgia.
While Kershaw may not throw 96 mph anymore, his role within the game continues to grow in significance. No longer just a dominant starter, he’s now a mentor, a clubhouse leader, and a respected voice whose words carry influence far beyond the mound.
That leadership was evident in the way younger players gravitated toward him during pregame routines and batting practice. Whether it was offering tips on pitch sequencing or simply swapping stories, Kershaw’s magnetism was undeniable.
“It’s like having a professor of pitching in the room,” said NL starter Paul Skenes. “You don’t even need to ask him questions. Just being around him, you learn something.”
And it’s not just pitchers who benefit. Even position players found value in Kershaw’s presence. Dodgers teammate Mookie Betts, who has shared many dugouts with Kershaw, put it simply: “Clay just makes everything feel more grounded. He reminds us what really matters—competing the right way, respecting the game, and staying humble.”
As the National League team took the field for warmups, fans noticed the extra energy among the players. Smiles came easier. Jokes were shared more freely. There was a sense that this particular group understood the magnitude of the moment—not just because of the game itself, but because of who was standing in the room with them.
And for Kershaw, this All-Star Game held a special place too. He’s hinted that 2025 could be his final season, though no official announcement has been made. If it is, this may have been his last All-Star appearance—a chance to reflect on all he’s accomplished and all that’s still to come for the sport he loves.
“It feels different this time,” Kershaw admitted. “When you’re young, it’s all about proving yourself. Later, it’s about appreciating it. I’m definitely appreciating it.”
That appreciation was mutual. In the dugout during the game, Kershaw received handshakes and pats on the back from teammates throughout the night. The NL staff even orchestrated a quiet moment in the fifth inning when Kershaw, who wasn’t scheduled to pitch, received a standing ovation as he waved to the crowd from the top step of the dugout.
One of the most remarkable aspects of the All-Star Game is how it blurs the lines between idol and peer. Players who once collected Kershaw baseball cards now stand next to him in the same lineup card.
Padres slugger Jackson Merrill, just 21 years old, shared his own moment of reflection: “I told my dad after I made the team that I hoped Kershaw would be here. I just wanted to say thank you. Watching him made me fall in love with baseball.”
That sentiment was echoed by others across the NL roster. For them, this wasn’t just a game—it was a career milestone marked by proximity to greatness.
Clayton Kershaw’s career has always been defined by more than just stats. Sure, the ERA titles, strikeout milestones, and Cy Youngs speak volumes. But it’s the way he’s carried himself—the quiet excellence, the accountability, the loyalty to the Dodgers—that has elevated him to mythical status.
And that’s exactly why this All-Star moment mattered so much. Because in a sport driven by youth and the next big thing, Kershaw reminded everyone that longevity, leadership, and humility still matter.
He didn’t need to throw a pitch to leave an impact on the game. He just needed to be there—to speak a few words, to share space with the stars of tomorrow, to serve as a living reminder of what greatness truly looks like.
When the final out was recorded and the NL walked off the field with a win, many of the young players lingered in the locker room longer than usual. They swapped jerseys, snapped photos, and shook hands—but above all, they made sure to find Kershaw one more time.
“Just wanted to say thanks, man,” one rookie told him.
“You meant everything to my generation,” said another.
And in that quiet postgame moment, the true spirit of the All-Star Game revealed itself—not just as a celebration of talent, but as a celebration of connection, of inspiration passed from one generation to the next.
Clayton Kershaw didn’t just represent the National League. He represented the standard. And for everyone lucky enough to share that locker room with him, the memory will last long after the final score is forgotten.
