The Dodgers were shut out Tuesday when finalists for the Players Choice Awards, the honors handed out annually by the MLB Players’ Association, were announced.
Perhaps the most surprising omission was Clayton Kershaw, who was passed over for the National League Pitcher of the Year Award in favor of Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto, R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets and Washington Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez.
With one start left on his schedule, Kershaw leads the National League in earned-run average (2.58) and WHIP (1.033), and is second in strikeouts (221 in 219 2/3 innings). If this is a preview of the Cy Young Award voting, it’s proof that Kershaw’s 13-9 record could be a major hindrance to his campaign. Kershaw gets the 12th-worst run support of any NL pitcher.
The complete list of nominees:
National League:
Outstanding Player: Ryan Braun (Milwaukee), Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh), Buster Posey (San Francisco)
Outstanding Pitcher: Johnny Cueto (Cincinnati), R.A. Dickey (NY Mets), Gio Gonzalez (Washington)
Outstanding Rookie: Todd Frazier (Cincinnati), Bryce Harper (Washington), Wade Miley (Arizona)
Comeback Player: Adam LaRoche (Washington), Ryan Ludwick (Cincinnati), Buster Posey (San Francisco)
Either league:
Player of Year: Miguel Cabrera (Detroit), Andrew McCutchen (Pittsburgh), Mike Trout (LA Angels)
Man of the Year: Chipper Jones (Atlanta), Paul Konerko (Chicago White Sox), Michael Young (Texas)