Some things in baseball are eternal—like overpriced hot dogs, questionable umpiring, and Clayton Kershaw toeing the rubber in midsummer glory. But even legends age, and Major League Baseball has a flair for drama when it comes to farewells. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ iconic lefty isn’t calling it quits just yet—or is he? MLB might know something we don’t, and they’re not exactly known for subtle exits.

Everything that begins has to come to an end, and it might soon be time for Kershaw. Or is it? As the days pass, the news of him moving on from baseball has been getting more and more attention. But are the rumors true, and will this be the last time he will be a part of the All-Star Game?

When Max Muncy appeared on Foul Territory, he didn’t just defend a teammate—he defended a baseball monument in Kershaw. When the Dodgers legend was selected for the 2025 All-Star Game via Commissioner Rob Manfred’s “Legend Pick,” Muncy didn’t hesitate to speak up. He called it the right way to honor a man who’s given everything to the game. “He’s not a regular pitcher,” Muncy said, reminding everyone of his teammate’s unique status in the league. To Muncy, All-Star nod or not, Kershaw is always pitching on a pedestal.

Muncy’s loyalty doesn’t stop at All-Star politics—it extends into the uncertain terrain of Kershaw’s retirement rumors. The Dodgers slugger, who’s played alongside Kershaw since 2018, believes the ace still has gas left. Kershaw’s competitive fire hasn’t dimmed; in fact, Muncy insists it still burns brighter than most. He’ll “go to his grave defending” Kershaw’s greatness and isn’t ready to say goodbye just yet. That belief reflects what many around the Dodgers clubhouse quietly feel—this isn’t the final ride.

Kershaw himself hasn’t slammed the retirement door shut, but he hasn’t exactly thrown it open either. “I just need to put it together for a whole game,” he said recently. He acknowledged making just enough bad pitches to take damage, but feels improvement is near. “I think I can do it and will do it. It just better be soon.” Those don’t sound like the words of a man hanging up his cleats just yet.

Despite the “Legend Pick,” Kershaw has made no official retirement announcement, nor hinted at one privately. In fact, his postgame quote after striking out Vinny Capra for strikeout number 3,000 spoke volumes. “To say that I got to spend my whole career here… I have a lot more appreciation.” That’s reflection, not resignation—gratitude without goodbye. He wants to finish in Dodger blue, yes—but not immediately.

And why should he? Kershaw has a 3.43 ERA this season, with a tighter 2.66 over his last eight. He’s gone 4-1 in 10 starts and helped stabilize a rotation missing Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Tony Gonsolin. The Dodgers are 7-2 with him on the mound, which speaks more than sentiment. Even in a “down” year, his fastball “really gets on you,” according to opposing hitters. Legends don’t fade quietly—they adapt and fight for one more run.

The resume backs the man—438 career starts, 3 Cy Youngs, an MVP, and a Triple Crown. He’s been an All-Star 11 times, won five ERA titles, and owns a Roberto Clemente Award. He just became the 20th pitcher in history with 3,000 strikeouts—and only the fourth lefty to do so. His FIP (4.19) might show signs of wear, but his presence still screams elite. First-ballot Hall of Famers don’t retire mid-sentence—they write punctuation with postseason pitches.

So no, this likely isn’t Kershaw’s “Last Dance” at the Midsummer Classic, not just yet. He’s not limping into the sunset; he’s navigating the road like a veteran still chasing daylight. Muncy knows it. The Dodgers know it. And if Kershaw’s arm holds together, baseball will see one more chapter—maybe even a few.

Clayton Kershaw’s words backfire after Dodgers’ loss

When a living legend talks, baseball listens until the box score claps back. MLB’s elder statesman Kershaw, cornerstone of the Dodgers and icon of consistency, offered up some pregame wisdom that aged like milk in a heatwave. As retirement whispers swirl around the southpaw, one would think he’d choose his words as carefully as his pitches. But on this night, karma took the mound—and it threw gas.

Before the game began, Kershaw had jokes—and not subtle ones either. When asked about Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski, he quipped, “Is that the guy who twisted his ankle? The ‘Twisted-His-Ankle’ guy? I know he throws hard. But so does everybody. Except me.” The Dodgers veteran seemed more amused than alarmed, brushing off the rookie’s buzz with trademark dry wit.

Then came the game, and Misiorowski didn’t just show up—he showed off, big time. The rookie went six innings, allowed just one run, and struck out twelve. The Dodgers’ lineup looked helpless, flailing through high heat and biting sliders. Misiorowski turned Kershaw’s pregame punchline into a postgame headline—with exclamation points.

After the game, Kershaw offered no excuses, only praise, his tone completely flipped. “I know him now, huh?” he said, tipping his cap with honest awe. “That was unbelievable… I don’t know how you hit that, honestly.” The loss stung, the rookie soared, and Kershaw—amid retirement rumors—was left both humbled and impressed.

Baseball has a long memory and an even sharper sense of irony. Kershaw’s pregame sarcasm became Misiorowski’s launchpad, flipping the script in front of a national audience. If this is Kershaw’s farewell tour, the game isn’t handing out sentimental discounts. The rookie made his mark, the veteran ate his words, and MLB got a poetic plot twist. Turns out, in baseball, even legends can’t always control the narrative