Just Another Honor for Kershaw - Wins his 3rd Cy Young

To the surprise of no one, Clayton Kershaw has been awarded his third career Cy Young award this afternoon.  Via the BBWAA release:

Clayton Kershaw was the 14th pitcher to win by a unanimous vote in the NL. The others: Sandy Koufax three times, Greg Maddux twice and once apiece by Randy Johnson, Bob Gibson, Steve Carlton, Rick Sutcliffe, Dwight Gooden, Orel Hershiser, Jake Peavy and Roy Halladay. There has been a unanimous winner in the American League nine times: Roger Clemens, Pedro Martinez and Johan Santana twice each; Denny McLain, Ron Guidry and Justin Verlander once apiece.

Kershaw was the fifth NL pitcher to win the award in consecutive seasons. Maddux and Johnson each won four years in a row. The other back-to-back winners were Koufax and Tim Lincecum. Successive victories have occurred five times in the AL: twice by Clemens and once each by McLain, Martinez and Jim Palmer.

Kershaw’s third Cy Young Award tied the Dodgers’ franchise record of Koufax and marked the ninth time a pitcher has won the award at least that often. Clemens holds the record with seven (six in the AL and one in the NL). Johnson won five times (four in the NL and once in the AL) and Maddux and Carlton four times each (all in the NL). Other three-time winners in addition to Koufax were Martinez (two in the AL and one in the NL), Palmer (all in the AL) and Tom Seaver (all in the NL).

This election marked the 12th time a Dodgers pitcher won the award. In addition to Kershaw and Koufax, Dodgers winners were Don Newcombe, Don Drysdale, Mike Marshall, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser and Eric Gagne. No other club has won the award more than seven times.

Kershaw, Cueto and Wainwright were the only pitchers named to every ballot.

Congrats, Clayton!

And now we wait for tomorrow announcement regarding the leagues MVP.

Below is the total vote tally:

Graphic at the very top via @Dodgers on twitter.

UPDATE:  Via a Dodger press release:

 “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. Today is a special day. To be associated with the men who have won this award before me is something I will not take for granted. But even more, it serves as a reminder that I'm blessed to play the game I love for an organization I greatly admire.”

..................

“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.
..................

“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. On top of being a great athlete, he’s an even greater person in what he does in the community and on behalf of his foundation. There are no negatives to Clayton Kershaw, he’s something special on and off the field.”

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Weekend Autograph Opportunities: NFL Hall of Famer Andre Reed

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

---------------------------

Hall of Famer wide receiver Andre Reed will be at the office of Dr. Alex C. Liu OD in Rowland Heights for an autograph session.  It will happen on Saturday, November 15th from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Go here for information.

Dr. Alex C. Liu OD 
19735 E. Colima Rd. 
Rowland Heights, CA 91748

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

Blog Kiosk: 11/12/2014 - Dodger Links - Confidence in AJ Ellis

Yasiel Puig sure seems to be enjoyinh himself in Japan.  He is adapting himself to the culture quite well.  Pic above via @DodgersPR on twitter. 

Below are some links to check out:

• The 2015 Spring Training schedule has just been released.  Check out Jon Weisman's post at Dodger Insider for details, here.  The first game is on March 4th and Cactus League play ends on April 1st. 
• Via David Hood at True Blue LA, "Andrew Friedman & the minor leagues."

For their perceived shortcomings in drafting and development, the previous regime has left Friedman with a pretty solid base of young, controllable talent, at least at the top. Given the successes Friedman has had with such talent, and empowered with superior resources to augment this base, it should be worth watching how true he stays to the trends he developed in Tampa Bay.

• Night Owl Cards shares his 1955 copy of Baseball Digest with Don Newcombe on the cover.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "New Dodgers GM Zaidi gives Ellis vote of confidence."

"He's a leader on the team," Zaidi said of Ellis. "He has a relationship with the pitching staff, and we are very mindful of that. Part of this process is to understand the dynamics of the relationships, and he's a big part of the team and the preparation and comfort level of the pitchers."

• Via Nick Diunte at Examiner.com, former Brooklyn Dodgers "Wayne Terwilliger recounts entering the Battle of Saipan in World War II."

“As soon as we got over the reef,” he said, “we were in range of the Japanese, and they started shooting. I started seeing these puffs of water all around us, and it took a second to realize what was causing them. Then we heard small arms fire hitting our tank, and the reality sank in: There were people on that island who wanted us dead.”

• Via William Boor at MLB.com, "Dodgers' Sweeney drives in five to lead Desert Dogs."
• Via Drake Witham at TWC SportsNet LA, "Kershaw stacks up well with those who swept the MVP and Cy Young awards."
• As much as I hate the current situation regarding the Slava Voynov suspension (LA Kings defenseman) for suspicion of domestic violence, I agree with my friend Bobby Scribe at Surly & Scribe, "Dean Lombardi Needs to Sack Up – Slava Should Remain Suspended and No Cap Relief Should be Awarded."

In short, I hold the very unpopular (but objective) opinion that Dean Lombardi can complain all he wants but until the PD and DA confirm they are done and no charges are being filed, Slava should remain suspended and the franchise should bear the consequences of its player’s actions.

* Please follow on twitter @ernestreyes *

* Like Dodgers Blue Heaven on facebook *

* Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *