“We used to be a proper league” “Well deserved GOAT” - Commissioner Rob Manfred’s ‘Legend Pick’ Clayton Kershaw splits fans in All-Star decision

MLB announced the National League and American League rosters for the All-Star game on Sunday. Veteran Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw also earned a spot on the NL team.

Clayton Kershaw was added to the roster for the Midsummer Classic as a “Legend Pick" by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred. Kershaw's 11th All-Star selection comes in the wake of his 3000th strikeout against the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.

However, the three-time Cy Young winner's All-Star selection has divided fans.

"We used to be a proper league," wrote a fan.

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"Well deserved goat," wrote another fan.

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"Manfred really said “Damn we don’t have enough Dodgers in the All Star Game," alleged a fan.

The reactions continued to be mixed.

"Manfred really said, “One last ride, old man.” Kershaw out here collecting All-Star nods like Infinity Stones," wrote a fan.

"Make a wish All Star," mocked a fan.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts backed his ace's All-Star nod, praising the veteran pitcher.

“It's something that I think that people in the game hold in high regard,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “It's not charity, it's something that's earned over a long period of time, and what he's done for the game, on the field, off the field.”

About the author

Chaitanya Prakash is an editor who covers US Sports at Sportskeeda. His first brush with sportswriting was in 2012 when the greatest football manager of all time, Sir Alex Ferguson, bid farewell to the beautiful game.

Although having started out professionally as a cricket writer in 2022, Chaitanya's curiosity and indiscriminate interest in all sports in general eventually introduced him to America's favorite pastime.

While Chaitanya's favorite player from the current crop is the dynamic Venezuelan Ronald Acuna Jr., his all-time favorite, however, is Pedro Martinez, for his self-belief and consistency. He also rates Jose Bautista's iconic bat flip in 2015 as his favorite moment in baseball history.

Chaitanya specializes in reporting on technical aspects of the game or analyzing patterns behind specific plays. He also likes pondering over players' self-assessments following the conclusion of a game as it helps him get an idea of how they think about the sport in general.

When not cheering for his favorites across sports, Chaitanya likes being transported to the past through a good war documentary or a historical documentary in general.

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Edited by Chaitanya Prakash