Kershaw Deserves MVP – From the Bird’s Nest

I am an unabashed Los Angeles Dodgers fan.

I just said that to get it out of the way.

The National League Most Valuable Player Award doesn't go to a pitcher very often.  To earn that, a pitcher has to be infinitely better than any other pitcher in his league.  And, there has to be no everyday player who is a clear cut choice.

This year, you have both.

And that's why Clayton Kershaw should be the National League MVP this season.

I didn't say Cy Young Award...although he'll win that, too.  I said Most Valuable Player.

Kershaw is the best pitcher on the planet.  Any planet.  His numbers are absolutely sick.  His ERA (1.80) is 95% lower than the league average.  He's won 20 games (and goes for 21 against the Giants which would clinch the NL West) and he did it missing the first month of the season.  He has a half dozen complete games, rare in this day of the specialist reliever.  His WHIP (Walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) is an incredible 0.856.  His strikeout/walk ratio is 10.8 to 1.5 per nine innings.

And, while its true no every day player is in front of another as far as worthiness is concerned, it really doesn't matter.  Not this year.

I, frankly, am really tired of hearing that pitchers should be ineligible for the MVP.  After all, they don't play every day.  They have their own award, after all.

But wait a minute.  So do the everyday players.  It's called the Hank Aaron Award.  And while it may not be as established as the Cy Young, it is the equivalent.

Now, I hear the argument about pitchers playing only every fifth day.  Gotcha.  But when a player takes the mound, he's THE GUY for that day.  Kershaw has had 26 pressure packed opportunities to lead his team to a victory.  He's "failed" once since May 28 when he was the losing pitcher to Milwaukee, 3-2.  He pitched a complete game with double digit strikeouts.  In those 26 starts, he's allowed more than three earned runs ONCE.

Now, who in the NL can say they've succeeded 20 of 26 times with the game on the line?

Clayton Kershaw.  And, no one else.

He's so far head an shoulders above every other pitcher in baseball, it's almost not fair.  And, this year, he's head and shoulders above any PLAYER in the NL.

And, that's why he has to win the award.