Dodgers Award Season Begins

While the 2014 Dodgers season ended in a disappointing fashion, awards are already coming in for the Dodgers, who had quite a few standout players this season. It began yesterday with Clayton Kershaw and  Dee Gordon being named Sporting News All-Stars. Kershaw winning this award came as no surprise with one of the greatest regular seasons for a pitcher (21 wins and a 1.77 ERA). In his first full season as the starting second baseman and lead off man for the Dodgers, Gordon proved to be a valuable component to the Dodgers offensive attack with a league leading 64 stolen bases, 12 triples, and a solid .289 batting average. Gordon, also, showed range and athleticism at the second base position.

The awards continued today with Kershaw being named the Sporting News Player of the Year. It should only be a matter of time before Kershaw wins the Cy Young and the MVP award. Kershaw would be the first to admit that the season did not live up to his expectations, where he was  unable to win the games that mattered the most in the postseason. Regardless, it was an incredible season for Kershaw, who led his team to the playoffs with a 21-3 record. The Dodgers would not have made the playoffs had it not been for Kershaw’s regular season success. The next step for Kershaw to truly be considered one of the greatest pitchers of all time is to win the games that matter the most: the postseason games in October.

Also, today, four Dodgers were named finalists for the Gold Glove Award: first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, third baseman Juan Uribe,  pitchers Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw. Uribe is deserving of the nomination, leading the Dodgers in defensive runs saved (17) and in 102 games with only  six errors committedeason throughout the s. Gonzalez came as a bit of a surprise, as he has had seasons, with almost flawless defense, but was still solid with a .996 fielding %. Greinke and Kershaw were their usual defensive standouts as pitchers. If I had to put my vote on anyone, it would be Clayton Kershaw, who was not only flawless fielding his position, but made some amazing highlight plays.

Post your comments on who you think should win the awards and who was snubbed.