In addition to preparing a room in his house for his first child this offseason, Clayton Kershaw will need to create space for the many awards he will take home for his 2014 season. The latest honor is Sporting News Player of the Year, announced Thursday by the longtime publication.
The award, which has been awarded since 1936, is voted on by major league players. Kershaw received 76 of 244 votes, edging out Angels outfielder Mike Trout, who received 73 votes. Giancarlo Stanton of the Marlins was third with 32 votes, Victor Martinez of the Tigers was fourth with 22 votes, and White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu and Astros second baseman Jose Altuve tied for fifth with 16 votes.
"It’s awesome," Kershaw told Jesse Spector of the Sporting News. "It really is cool to have that respect from other guys in the league. That’s a huge compliment. For my peers to give that to me, that’s awesome."
Kershaw also was named Baseball America Major League Player of the Year on Tuesday.
He is the seventh Dodger to win Sporting News Player of the Year, joining Duke Snider (1955), Maury Wills and Don Drysdale (co-winners in 1962), Sandy Koufax (1963, 1965), Fernando Valenzuela (1981) and Orel Hershiser (1988).
Of the 19 times a pitcher to has won the award, six have been Dodgers.
In addition to leading the majors in several pitching categories, Kershaw threw a no-hitter on June 15 against the Rockies, with 15 strikeouts and no walks, and had a 41-inning scoreless streak, tied for the fifth-longest in baseball since 1961.