“Finding Calm in the Spotlight: How Logan Webb and Aaron Judge Lean on Legends Like Kershaw and Bonds to Navigate MLB Pressure”
Logan Webb leaned back in his All-Star locker in Arlington last week, exhaling a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. It wasn’t nerves about pitching in front of a packed All-Star crowd that made him anxious; it was the weight of expectation he carried from San Francisco, a weight that doesn’t lift just because you’re in a new uniform for a few days in July.
That’s when the text came in.
It was Clayton Kershaw.
“He told me, ‘Just breathe. Enjoy it. You’re here because you deserve it,’” Webb shared, a grin breaking across his face as he adjusted his All-Star cap. “Coming from him, that hit different.”
Webb had idolized Kershaw growing up, watching the lefty dominate the National League for over a decade while maintaining a calm presence on the mound. Now, Kershaw was helping Webb find that same calm as he stepped onto the stage as the Giants’ ace in a year where expectations in San Francisco are as high as the fog over the bay.
Pressure, Expectations, and Learning from Legends
The All-Star Game, for many, is a celebration. For players like Webb, it’s also a reminder of how far they’ve come—and how far they still want to go.
“Last year, I was too in my head,” Webb admitted, referencing his previous All-Star appearance where he struggled with command and left the mound frustrated. “This year, it was about enjoying the moment, not letting the pressure swallow me up.”
Kershaw’s quiet text wasn’t the only legend’s voice guiding a current star during All-Star week. In another corner of the clubhouse, Aaron Judge sat with headphones draped around his neck, scrolling through old photos of his first All-Star game.
It was Barry Bonds who once pulled Judge aside during Judge’s rookie season and offered words that would echo in Judge’s mind every time the stadium lights felt too bright.
“He told me, ‘Being great is lonely sometimes,’” Judge shared. “And you’ve got to be okay with that if you want to leave a legacy.”
For Judge, Bonds remains a figure of both inspiration and caution—a reminder of what it means to handle fame, pressure, and expectation while staying true to your craft.
Baseball’s Circle of Mentorship
It’s easy to think of baseball as a game of numbers, highlight reels, and contract negotiations. But in those quiet moments, away from the camera flashes, it becomes something else: a circle of mentorship.
“Kershaw didn’t have to text me,” Webb said, shaking his head. “But he did because that’s the type of guy he is, and because he knows what it feels like to be in this position.”
Judge echoed a similar sentiment when reflecting on Bonds.
“We can debate a lot about Barry’s career, but I’ll tell you this—he knows hitting like nobody else,” Judge said. “And when he talks, you listen.”
These moments—texts from Kershaw, memories of a conversation with Bonds—are the lifelines that help players navigate the intense scrutiny that comes with being at the top of the game.
The Human Side of the Stars
During All-Star week, fans see smiles, home runs, and pitchers lighting up the radar gun. What they don’t see are the sleepless nights before big games, the anxiety about letting down teammates, or the quiet doubts that creep in after a rough outing.
“Kershaw told me once, ‘We’re all nervous, even after years in the league,’” Webb shared. “But you learn how to use it.”
That advice stuck with Webb as he took the mound in the All-Star Game, delivering a clean inning that reminded everyone why he’s one of the National League’s most consistent arms.
Judge, meanwhile, spent the week mentoring young players, sharing the same message Bonds once gave him: embrace the expectations, but never let them define your worth.
Building a Legacy Beyond Stats
Both Webb and Judge are at points in their careers where legacy begins to matter. It’s no longer just about today’s game or tomorrow’s start; it’s about what remains when the cleats are hung up.
For Webb, that means becoming the type of player younger Giants pitchers can lean on. For Judge, it’s about using his platform to inspire the next generation while maintaining the discipline that has made him one of baseball’s most respected leaders.
“All-Star week is fun, but it’s also humbling,” Judge said. “You look around and realize how much talent is here, how short the window can be. You have to appreciate it.”
A Moment to Breathe
As the All-Star Game wrapped up, Webb and Judge found themselves laughing in the dugout, two stars who had taken different paths to the same stage. They talked about Kershaw, Bonds, and the lessons they’ve learned. They also talked about what’s next: the second half of the season, the push for October, and the responsibility that comes with being leaders in their clubhouses.
“Moments like this remind you why you play the game,” Webb said.
For fans, the All-Star Game is about fireworks, big swings, and radar guns lighting up. For players like Logan Webb and Aaron Judge, it’s a chance to breathe, reflect, and remember the advice from legends who came before them—and to pass that wisdom down to those who will come next.
Because in baseball, as in life, it’s the quiet moments, the text messages, and the small conversations that shape the biggest stages.