Clayton Kershaw wins 2013 Cy Young Award

Los Angeles Dodgers lefty pitcher Clayton Kershaw cemented his status as the best pitcher in the game today, as he was named the 2013 National League Cy Young Award winner, his second-career selection.  Other than Dodger legend Sandy Koufax, Kershaw is the only other pitcher in franchise history to have won the award multiple times.

“Once again, Clayton Kershaw has shown the world that he is the best pitcher in Major League Baseball,” said Dodger Owner Earvin “Magic” Johnson. “I’m so proud of his accomplishments both on and off the field. He is everything a true Dodger represents and the city of Los Angeles should take tremendous pride in that.”

Kershaw earned 29 of 30 first-place votes and one second-place vote, garnering 207 total points in voting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America.  The Cardinals Adam Wainwright finished a distant second with 86 total points and 1 first-place vote.

Kershaw previously won the award in 2011, receiving 27 first-place votes (of 32) and 207 points, and was the runner-up last year (two first-place votes, 96 points) behind New York’s R.A. Dickey (209 points).

“Winning this award a second time is every bit as special as it was the first time around,” said Kershaw. “I want to especially thank my teammates and coaches for helping place me in such amazing company.”

Based on numbers alone, the Dodgers' ace certainly was deserving.

Kershaw went 16-9 and led the Majors with a 1.83 ERA in 33 starts this season, becoming just the third pitcher since 1900 to top the big leagues in ERA in three consecutive seasons.  The others were with Lefty Grove (Philadelphia Athletics, 1929-31) and Greg Maddux (Atlanta Braves, 1993-95).

Kershaw also led the Majors this season with a 0.92 WHIP and ranked among the NL leaders in wins (T-3rd), strikeouts (232, 1st), opponents’ batting average (.195, 2nd), shutouts (2, T-1st), complete games (3, T-3rd), pickoffs (7, 2nd), and innings pitched (236.0, 2nd).

In keeping with the team's pitching-rich tradition, a Dodger has now won the award a Major League-best 11 times.  His accomplishment did not go unnoticed by one Dodger legend.

“Congratulations to Clayton on a great year and a most deserving Cy Young honor,” said Dodger Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax, who won Cy Young Awards in 1963, 1965 and 1966.  “This is the second of many more to come.  He’s got quite a future ahead of him.”

Although Kershaw's last appearance on the mound was a fatigue-driven, blowout loss to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NLCS, the 25-year-old created plenty of good memories for Dodger fans this season, starting with his shutout of the rival Giants on Opening Day.  He maintained his consistent excellence throughout the year, earning NL Pitcher of the Month honors in July with a 4-1 record and a 1.34 ERA (7 ER/47.0 IP) in six starts.

Fellow Dodger Zack Greinke earned 18 total points as well.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services