Clayton Kershaw’s Trophy Mantel Isn’t Big Enough

Roll out the Blue carpet!

Clayton Kershaw, the best pitcher on planet Earth, has already collected many lustrous awards over his young career. His 2014 shaped up to be one of his most memorable seasons to date. His glorious season will also garner the southpaw quite a few new recognitions including a certain third Cy Young Award and a possible M.V.P. Award as well.

Here is a rundown of some of the accolades Kershaw has already won:

In just the last year:

On October 23, 2014 Kershaw was named the Sporting News Player of the Year. The panel of 244 Major League players chose Kershaw over Mike Trout in a close vote. Kershaw was also the Sporting News Pitcher of the Year in 2011 and 2013.

Kershaw was nominated for his second Rawlings Gold Glove Award. The winners will be announced on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 4 P.M. PT on ESPN2. Kershaw was nominated in 2011 and 2012 and won the award in 2011.

On October 21, 2014 Clayton Kershaw was named the Major League Player of the Year by Baseball America. Matt Kemp was the 2011 Major League Player of the Year with Mike Trout selected in consecutive years 2012-2013.

On September 22, 2014 Kershaw was awarded the Ninth Annual Roy Campanella Award which is given to the Dodger which best exemplifies the spirit and

Apr 9, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) accepts his Cy Young Award for the 2013 season before the game against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

leadership of the late Hall of Fame catcher.

Kershaw also won the Roy Campanella Award in 2013.

On September 16, 2014 Kershaw was nominated for the 2014 Roberto Clemente Award. Kershaw was one of 30 MLB finalists for the annual Award.

“The Roberto Clemente Award recognizes a Major League player who best represents the game of baseball through positive contributions on and off the field, including sportsmanship and community involvement.”

Kershaw won the Roberto Clemente Award in 2012.

On September 15, 2014 Clayton Kershaw was named one of six finalists for the 2014 Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. This award honors Major Leaguers who “inspire others to higher levels of achievement by their on-field performances and contributions to their communities.”

The winner will be decided by a vote of Major Leaguers as a part of the 2014 Players Choice Awards. No Dodger has ever won the award which was inaugurated in 1997. Kershaw is also a finalist for MLB Player of the Year, National League Outstanding Player and NL Outstanding Pitcher.

Winners will receive grants from the Major League Players Trust to go to their chosen charities.

September 15, 2014- Kershaw was named the National League Player of the Week ending September 14th. Per the press release:

“Kershaw was tied for the Major League-lead in wins, innings pitched and strikeouts, posting a 2-0 record with 17 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner had a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) for the week and held opponents to a .175 batting average. He allowed just three walks while scattering 10 hits across both of his starts.”

Kershaw received a watch courtesy of Game Time.

August 4, 2014- Kershaw named the National League Pitcher of the Month for July AND June. Per the press releases:

“Kershaw, who threw his first career no-hitter on June 18, was tops among qualifying Major League pitchers with a 0.82 ERA (4 ER/44.0 IP) last month while pacing the big leagues with six wins (6-0) and 61 strikeouts. Kershaw went the distance in two of his six outings last month and did not allow a single run in his last three starts — a span of 24.0 scoreless innings. The 24.0-inning scoreless streak marked the longest such streak in Kershaw’s career, besting a previous high of 22.0 scoreless innings from May 8-19, 2012.”

Oct 28, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (center) is awarded the 2012 Roberto Clemente Award by commissioner Bud Selig (left) and MLB goodwill ambassador Vera Clemente (right) during a press conference prior to game four of the 2012 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

“In five outings last month, Kershaw was 4-0 with a N.L.-best 1.07 ERA, allowing just five earned runs in a League-high 42.0 innings of work. The southpaw tossed a Major League-high three complete games last month and tied for first in the N.L. in wins, while posting the second-lowest opponents’ batting average (.165) among qualifying N.L. pitchers. Kershaw fanned 43 during the month, which was good for fourth in the Senior Circuit, while walking only four.”

Kershaw will receive a specially designed trophy for both months.

I’m sure there are awards presented to Kershaw that I have missed, but he deserves every last one of them. All of these recognitions have led up to one of the biggest baseball awards yet to be won by the ace, the Most Valuable Player Award. Clayton Kershaw may just be adding the illustrious award to his crowded fireplace mantel very soon. Maybe Kershaw has a trophy room instead?

The humble Kershaw most likely does not have a trophy room, but he should be proud to display all his honors. Kershaw has not only proven to be the best pitcher in baseball, but he is one of the most elite athletes in any sport. Dedicated, regimented, extremely competitive, and most of all inspirational, Kershaw is a true role model for any baseball fan or anyone in general.

Kershaw may not garner all the number one votes when it comes time for the BBWAA to vote for M.V.P., but the choice is clear to me. Kershaw’s season was historic on many levels, but his continued reign of dominance is utterly amazing. Even though Kershaw did not get the results he was looking for against the Cardinals in October, without Kershaw the Dodgers would have never reached the NLDS. From Sydney to St. Louis, Kershaw is simply the best.