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MLB players being mic'd up for a broadcast isn't unusual in 2025, but rarely is it a pitcher or a catcher that are the ones with direct connection to the booth.
Tuesday's All-Star Game changed that, with the first few pitchers on the mound being mic'd up, along with AL starting catcher Cal Raleigh, speaking directly to Fox's Joe Davis and John Smoltz.
Both Tarik Skubal, the AL's starting pitcher, and Clayton Kershaw, a legacy pick All-Star and the NL's second pitcher behind Paul Skenes, had live microphones while pitching to fellow stars. While Kershaw had some highlight moments in his brief time on the mound, the mic'd up experience wasn't so kind to Skubal.
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Here's a look at how the Tigers' star pitcher unraveled a bit in the first inning of the All-Star Game while he was mic'd up.
Tarik Skubal struggles in All-Star Game while mic'd up
Shortly after Skubal took the mound in Atlanta for the American League, his live mic came onto the Fox broadcast. But despite having a terrific first half of the season, the reigning AL Cy Young award winner may have been rattled by the microphone.
Skubal allowed a leadoff hit to Shohei Ohtani, then an infield hit to Ronald Acuna Jr. Ketel Marte then made him pay, sending a double down the right-field line to score both runners, and Skubal could be heard yelling some profanity in response:
Tarik Skubal mic'd up while pitching naturally leads to F-bombs. #MLB #AllStarGame pic.twitter.com/4Pao4EuLeT
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 16, 2025Skubal being mic'd up also led to one of the most unique moments in league history, as the ABS balls and strikes system was implemented for the 2025 All-Star Game. Along with Raleigh, the Tigers star became the first player to challenge a call on the grand stage, successfully getting a called ball turned into a strike.
"You take them any way you can get them, boys," Skubal said to the broadcast.
The ABS Challenge System in full effect while Tarik Skubal is mic'd up on Fox. ⚾️🤖🎙️ #MLB #AllStarGAme pic.twitter.com/4Ik9chDRtj
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 16, 2025Granted, Skubal did get it together, striking out his final two batters of the inning in Manny Machado and Will Smith.
Clayton Kershaw punches out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. while mic'd up
In the next half-inning, Kershaw seemed to be having a blast while mic'd up. The veteran was added to the All-Star Game as a legacy pick and given an opportunity to pitch, largely celebrating his outstanding career.
Kershaw faced just two batters, but he brought some energy to the broadcast with his voice. First, he told Davis and Smoltz that he was gonna "try to throw some cheese real quick" before Monday's Home Run Derby champion, Cal Raleigh, lined out to Kyle Tucker in left field.
"That was sick," Kershaw said.
"I'm going to try and throw some cheese real quick." 😅
Clayton Kershaw having some fun mic'd up.
Also Kyle Tucker with the nice snag! pic.twitter.com/Rq9Gyj6SLP
Then, Kershaw informed the broadcast of his intentions to throw a slider to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but his teammate and catcher, Smith, called a curveball. So, the future Hall-of-Famer said "alright, fine," then tossed a beautiful curveball that got Guerrero swinging and missing.
"Oh, it got him," Kershaw said.
You know Clayton Kershaw had to break out a vintage curve 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/GLLfdvCcP4
— MLB (@MLB) July 16, 2025From Kershaw angrily having to tell Smoltz that "I don't throw a cutter, Smoltzy!" to a moment with his teammates and manager, Dave Roberts, when he was taken out of the game, Kershaw's experience on the broadcast went much more smoothly.
He even jokingly called out Raleigh as he made his way through the dugout.
MUST LISTEN: Clayton Kershaw was MIC'D UP during the #AllStarGame 😂 pic.twitter.com/RaEJrtJGWy
— MLB (@MLB) July 16, 2025MLB All-Star Game mic'd up reactions
Opinions from fans are typically split when MLB players get mic'd up on broadcasts, and that didn't change for the All-Star Game. Some enjoy the in-game analysis from the players, also getting some insight into their personalities.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, MLB AS Game is by far the best AS Game. It's actually played like a real game. Can't say that about the others. These Mic'd up moments are awesome too.
— Lou Merloni (@LouMerloni) July 16, 2025Clayton Kershaw was mic’d up during his All Star Game outing and it’s the best thing you’ll watch today pic.twitter.com/KeihBLT8HV
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) July 16, 2025Clayton Kershaw asking John Smoltz what he wants him to throw and then throwing that pitch is legitimately awesome and *easily* the best use of mic’d up I’ve seen
— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) July 16, 2025Other fans didn't enjoy the mic'd up moments, especially criticizing the lack of true commentary vs. interviews, and how the mic'd up pitchers and catchers may have made it easier for hitters.
Yeah I don’t think the MLB all star mic’d up thing is working too well for the pitcher and catcher right now
— Ramon Foster (@RamonFoster) July 16, 2025I know it’s an exhibition game, but the mic’d up interviews every single inning during the All-Star Game is a bit much.
Would love to hear them actually talk about the game.
Sleepy Joe Davis: “we have cal Raleigh and Tarik Skubal mic’d up. Tell us what you’re doing here”
*silence*
“We’re trying to pitch and catch you absolute idiot”
This mic’d up segment with Cal and Skubal is a bust lol
— Barstool Are Dee Tee (@editti22) July 16, 2025
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