Pittsburgh Pirates phenom Paul Skenes expressed pure excitement about meeting Dodgers legend Clayton Kershaw at the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park on July 15. The young ace called it a “pinch-me moment”, adding that he grew up watching Kershaw dominate and is eager to “pick his brain as much as I can” during All-Star Week. This encounter highlights the passing of the torch from one generation of pitching greatness to the next.
Young sensation Skenes embracing legendary mentor
Skenes, born in May 29, 2002, in Fullerton, California, has been nothing short of extraordinary since debuting in May 2024. He led the National League in ERA (1.96) and strikeouts (170) that season, earning him Rookie of the Year and a starting spot in the All-Star Game. Now in 2025, he’s making his second consecutive All-Star start, matching only Chris Sale and Max Scherzer in that rare feat. With a 1.94 ERA and 125 strikeouts through mid-season, Skenes is firmly cementing his status as one of MLB’s premier young aces.
A perfect setting for Kershaw and Skenes
Kershaw’s selection as a “Legend Pick” for his 11th All-Star appearance undersocres his enduring legacy: the Dodgers ace recently reached 3,000 career strikeouts. Meanwhile, Skenes is seizing the opportunity to learn from the veteran. “I’m hoping that Kershaw isn’t tired of me by the time the All-Star Game is done”, Skenes quipped. This interaction isn’t just fan-boying, it’s a real chance for mentorship in elite company. As Skenes calls it, “just a cool opportunity to share a clubhouse with him for a day”.
Kershaw’s decorated career meets Skenes’ meteoric rise, symbolic of baseball’s generational cycle. While numbers like ERA and strikeouts spotlight talent, this personal connection reveals character, respect, and professionalism. Sharing the mound and locker room with a future Hall of Famer boosts the Pirate’s profile and confidence.
Read the full article here
