Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw earns 2014 NL Cy Young Award

Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw was unanimously named the National League Cy Young Award winner for the third time on Wednesday. Kershaw also won the award in 2011 and 2013.

Only nine pitchers in MLB history have won three or more Cy Youngs, and Kershaw is the first to ever to earn the recognition three times before the age of 27.

Kershaw went 21-3 in 2014, and led all MLB pitchers with a miniscule 1.77 ERA.

“It is humbling to receive the honor of the National League Cy Young Award again this year,” said Kershaw. “Thank you to the Baseball Writers' Association of America for this acknowledgement of the past season. The significance of this award is not lost on me. I consider it a privilege to even be considered in the same category as Johnny Cueto and Adam Wainwright, two remarkable pitchers and relentless competitors. It seems fitting to share this recognition with my teammates and coaches – I couldn't do my job without their own dedication to excellence in their roles."

Kershaw has been universally regarded as a rare pitching talent, and in winning this year's award he continues perhaps the greatest tradition of pitching in all of Major League baseball. A Dodgers pitcher has been the recipient of the Cy Young Award 12 times, more than any other team.

Kershaw also now joins Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax as the only 3-time winners in team history.

“We’re so proud of Clayton as he adds to his historic record of accomplishments and look forward to him continuing it for many years to come,” said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten.

Indeed, "historic" would be a fair way to describe Kershaw's 2014 campaign. Not only did he have the lowest ERA in baseball for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season, but his 1.77 ERA was the lowest posted in the NL since Greg Maddux in 1995. (Pedro Martinez had an AL-leading a 1.74 ERA for the Boston Red Sox in 2000.)

Kershaw's season was also highlighted by: (1) the first no-hitter of his career, an 8-0 defeat of the Colorado Rockies in which only an error prevented a perfect game; (2) a 41 inning scoreless streak from June 13-July 1, and (3) an 11-game winning streak from June 2 - August 10.

The Dodgers were 23-4 record in Kershaw’s 27 starts, and many believe that Kershaw turned a a roughly .500 ball club into a playoff team all on his own. That kind of impact has led many to speculate that Kershaw will also win the NL MVP this year.

“Clayton Kershaw was the best pitcher in baseball and was most deserving of this honor,” said Dodger Manager Don Mattingly. “He sets a great example for our team with his leadership in the clubhouse, his endless work ethic and his ultra-competitive spirit."


by Staff of the TheDailySportsHerald.com