Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Wins 2013 NL Cy Young Award
After consecutive days of having runner-up finishes in major awards, the Dodgers finally have a winner today with the announcement of the National League Cy Young going to Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers’ ace defeated fellow finalists Jose Fernandez of the Miami Marlins and Adam Wainwright of the St. Louis Cardinals.
This is Kershaw’s second career Cy Young, after winning it in 2011 and follows a season in which he went 16-9 with a 1.83 ERA and 232 strikeouts in 33 starts. Kershaw led the league in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP (0.92) and probably would have led in wins had the Dodgers provided him with run support throughout the season. Kershaw set a career-high with 236 innings and a new career-low ERA.Kershaw was named the Players’ Choice for NL Outstanding Pitcher of the Year just over a week ago.
In winning the award, Kershaw received 29 first place votes and his win is the 11th Cy Young award from eight different pitchers in the Dodgers organization.
Kershaw had a dominant season that began with a complete-game shutout on Opening Day against the San Francisco Giants, that was punctuated by a tie-breaking solo home run in the eighth inning.The 25-year-old had 10 starts where he didn’t allow a single run and threw at least six innings in 30 of his 33 starts. Even as the team struggled, Kershaw was consistent the entire season and has become an annual candidate for Cy Young.
With Kershaw leading the charge, the Dodgers won the NL West title and advanced to the NLCS for the third time in recent years. This off-season, rumors have been circulating that the Dodgers plan to offer the left-hander a multi-year extension to keep Kershaw with the Dodgers for the foreseeable future. Dodger owner Magic Johnson recently expressed his confidence in the team being able to reach an agreement for a contract extension with the 25-year-old.
Winning the award is the culmination of an incredible 2013 season for the Dodgers ace and it’s scary to think what he’ll do again next season in Dodger Blue.
Before the award announcement, Kershaw talked to the MLB Network guys about his season:
After the announcement, Kershaw talks to the MLB Network guys about the $300 million contract extension talks:
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