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Clayton Kershaw News & Rumors

Kershaw's effort goes for naught
May 26
L.A. Daily News
 
"The Dodgers have received plenty of compliments this season while compiling the best record in Major League Baseball. Some are slightly backhanded, like how they keep winning in spite of the lackluster look of their lineup. Fortunately in baseball there's a stat to explain everything. For the Dodgers - decimated by injuries to their hitters, bolstered by anonymous heroes - here it is: Before Friday's game against the Houston Astros, they were hitting .275 with runners in scoring position. Overall, they were batting .270. Their on-base average jumps from .341 to .371 with runners on second and third, and suddenly there's some context for the recent game-winning RBIs by Scott Van Slyke and"
Kershaw's six-hit shutout helps L.A. overcome injury woes
May 20
L.A. Daily News
 
"As a six-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove Award-winner, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly knows how to win. Before Saturday's 6-0 victory against the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, Mattingly learned he had lost his fourth starter to the disabled list. Peppered with questions about how he was going to combat the injury bug, Mattingly didn't panic. "You feel like you're going to win every day," Mattingly said. "It was the same feeling when we were winning 80 games in New York. We can pitch and catch the ball well no matter what lineup we put out there offensively. That's the way our team looks at it. We have to find a way to win a game somehow, someway." After steady"
Dodgers win game behind Clayton Kershaw, but lose Mark Ellis
May 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Dodgers won another game, but lost another player. On the same day they defeated the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals, 6-0, second baseman Mark Ellis underwent an emergency leg operation that is expected to sideline him for a minimum of six weeks. Ellis, who was injured when Tyler Greene of the Cardinals slid into him at second base the previous night, had blood and fluids drained from his left leg. He is scheduled to be hospitalized until Tuesday. He became the fourth Dodgers starter on the disabled list. The others: Matt Kemp, Juan Rivera and Juan Uribe. With half of their everyday position players sidelined Saturday, starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw responded the"
Dodgers win again when Kershaw bests Kennedy
May 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"The list of injured Dodgers keeps growing, with Matt Kemp and Juan Uribe going on the disabled list Monday to join Jerry Hairston Jr. and Juan Rivera, among others. But the Dodgers' pitching staff, including Clayton Kershaw, their ace left-hander, largely has steered clear of injury, a key reason why the Dodgers have kept playing well early this season. Kershaw was stellar again Monday night in a duel with Arizona's Ian Kennedy, holding the Diamondbacks scoreless in seven innings of work as the Dodgers won, 3-1, at Dodger Stadium."
Giants get rare win over Dodgers' Kershaw, 2-1
May 9
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"Magic Johnson opened a new ownership era in Los Angeles on Monday night by going on the big video board and saying, "It's time for Dodger baseball." On Tuesday night it was time for Giants baseball, which is supposed to mean excellent pitching, just enough offense and - yes - shutdown defense. All of those figured into a rare win against reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw."
Kershaw gives Dodgers eight strong innings in 3-2 win
April 28
Los Angeles Times
 
"Closer Javy Guerra was sidelined for the night with what was described as a minor leg injury and the bullpen was short on back-end arms. The Dodgers had to get innings out of Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw responded the way he often has in these types of situations, holding the Washington Nationals to two runs and three hits in the first eight innings of the Dodgers' 3-2 victory at Dodger Stadium. The win improved Kershaw's record to 2-0 and the Dodgers' to 14-6, which matched the Nationals' league-best mark. Kershaw has won his last 12 decisions at home; the last time he lost here was April 16 of last year. "It was huge for us that he was able to go for as long as he did," Manager Don Mattingly"
Clayton Kershaw, Matt Kemp and Andre Eithier are a bit too much for Washington
April 28
Washington Post
 
"The Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg show would not hit town for another 24 hours, but Friday night offered enough to tide over the 44,807 at Dodger Stadium. Two surprise first-place teams, owners of the two best records in the National League, squared off. Prior to their biggest move this season, the Washington Nationals would receive their biggest test, against the reigning Cy Young award winner and the best player on the planet. The Nationals acquitted themselves well enough to lose just barely to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw's eight sparkling innings and too much Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier lifted the Dodgers to a 3-2 victory, handing the Nationals consecutive losses for"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw is over flu
April 8
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw walked into the Dodgers clubhouse at Petco Park on Saturday doing something he hasn't done since the regular season started. He smiled. "Better," he said. Later, Kershaw threw a bullpen session. Pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said that based on what he saw, he felt comfortable sending Kershaw to face the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday in the Dodgers' home opener. "He's smiling, he's actually walking," Manager Don Mattingly said, referring to how he found Kershaw lying down in the tunnel between the dugout and the clubhouse Thursday."
Kershaw on mend, recalls opening-day start
April 7
L.A. Daily News
 
"Clayton Kershaw didn't quite look or sound like himself Friday, roughly 24 hours after leaving his opening-day start early with the stomach flu. He still hadn't eaten and wasn't getting dressed to stretch with his teammates prior to the Dodgers' game against the San Diego Padres. Still, Kershaw said he was feeling better, which helped ease concerns about his ability to make his next start in Tuesday's home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. "We'll see," he said. "I'm pretty sure." Most pitchers have a bullpen session two or three days before their upcoming start, but Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said that won't be the benchmark for whether Kershaw will pitch Tuesday. "He just needs to"
Clayton Kershaw still sick, 'pretty sure' he can pitch home opener
April 7
Los Angeles Times
 
"Still sick with a stomach flu that cut short his opening-day start, Clayton Kershaw said he was "pretty sure" he would be able to pitch in the Dodgers' home opener Tuesday. "We'll see," Kershaw said. Kershaw reported a minor improvement in his condition. He pitched three scoreless innings Thursday in the Dodgers' 5-3 victory over the San Diego Padres. "I felt pretty bad," he said. "I know I needed to try to get out there. After that third inning, I started getting dizzy and lightheaded and stuff, so I really couldn't do it anymore." Upon exiting the game, Kershaw tried to return to the team hotel across the street from Petco Park but was too weak to do so. He said he threw up in the eighth"
Kershaw not worried despite poor outing
April 1
L.A. Daily News
 
"The Dodgers will give Clayton Kershaw the ball on Opening Day on Thursday in San Diego, and again for their home opener five days later. The point, of course, is to have the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner on the mound as often as possible. The team can only hope Saturday's outing, Kershaw's final spring training tuneup, was a fluke. The left-hander allowed six hits and three runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw was especially blunt in his self-assessments afterward. On his outing: "Not very good. I gave up runs and hits. That's usually what constitutes a bad outing." On his location: "Not great." On whether he's concerned by his performance: "I"
Clayton Kershaw has a harsh opinion ... of himself
April 1
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw's only solace was that the game didn't count. Kershaw was visibly displeased with how he pitched in an abbreviated start Saturday that counted as his final tuneup for the regular season. "Hopefully, all the bad ones are out of my system," said Kershaw, who will take the ball for the Dodgers in their April 5 opener in San Diego. Pitching the first 32/3 innings of a 9-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kershaw was charged with three runs, six hits and a walk. "I gave up runs and hits," Kershaw said. "It's usually what constitutes a bad outing." The first inning was particularly turbulent as Kershaw threw 25 pitches and served up a two-run home run to Jason Kubel. "I was"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw isn't happy with his slider
March 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw was dissatisfied with how he threw his slider Sunday in the Dodgers' 7-1 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers. In fact, Kershaw hasn't liked the way he has thrown the pitch this spring. "It's not where I'd like it to be," Kershaw said. The slider has been widely credited for transforming Kershaw from a high-ceiling prospect to a star. Looking for an off-speed pitch that could be called for a strike, Kershaw began throwing the slider with regularity in the second half of the 2010 season."
Kershaw continues to make an impression
March 20
L.A. Daily News
 
"Count Matt Treanor among the believers, too. The Dodgers' catcher Monday finally took his turn on the receiving end of a Clayton Kershaw start in Cactus League. It was an important start, too, as Kershaw got stretched out to almost 80 pitches and 5 1/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians - something approaching regular-season proportions. The left-hander struggled to find the strike zone in the first inning and wound up allowing his first run of the spring. Ultimately, that only enhanced the impression Kershaw left on his catcher."
Dodgers' Matt Treanor knows Clayton Kershaw is special
March 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"Matt Treanor is 36 years old and entering his ninth season as a major league catcher. But Treanor has few words of advice for Clayton Kershaw, who turned 24 on Monday and remains the youngest member of the Dodgers' rotation. In the month he has spent with the Dodgers, Treanor has noticed Kershaw's tendency to make on-field adjustments on his own. "He doesn't need anyone out there telling him what to do, so I try to limit how much I try to get him to do something," Treanor said."
Clayton Kershaw effective in spring debut
March 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Texas Rangers were playing only their sixth game of the exhibition season, but they were still the Texas Rangers. Except for Mike Napoli, all of their regular position players were in the lineup. Nonetheless, Clayton Kershaw handled the two-time defending American League champions with relative ease Friday, pitching three scoreless innings in his spring debut, a 9-0 victory for the Dodgers. "It's good, definitely, to make sure you remember how to do it," said Kershaw, who pitched against Dodgers minor leaguers in a simulated game five days earlier. Of the lineup he faced, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner said, "That's good, too. That's always good to start out with"
Minor-leaguers get taste of Kershaw's Cy Young form
March 5
L.A. Daily News
 
"It wasn't fair to the lineup of minor-league campers who hadn't even faced live batting practice yet, but Clayton Kershaw was pitching like the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Sunday. Kershaw struck out five of the seven batters he faced, induced a groundout to third base, and allowed a broken-bat infield single to Jake Lemmerman - a 22-year-old prospect from Corona Del Mar who can hang a new career highlight above the 21 Double-A games he played last season. Most important, Kershaw said he "felt fine" after throwing 25 pitches over two innings in the Dodgers' four-inning intrasquad game at Camelback Ranch."
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw overpowers in his first spring game
March 5
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw pitched in his first game of the spring Sunday, completely overpowering minor league hitters in two scoreless innings of an intrasquad game. Kershaw faced seven batters, striking out five. He forced a groundout and gave up a broken-bat single. His pitches were clocked as high as 94 mph. The game put Kershaw in line to face the Texas Rangers on Friday, which, in turn, would line him up to pitch on opening day in San Diego on April 5. "It's good to get in that game setting and getting in the routine of every fifth day, having something to do," Kershaw said."
Clayton Kershaw to start home opener
March 4
Los Angeles Times
 
"In addition to starting on opening day, Clayton Kershaw will pitch in the Dodgers' home opener April 10 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers open their season in San Diego on April 5. They have a day off before they open their series at Dodger Stadium against the Pirates, meaning Kershaw could pitch in the home opener on regular four days' rest. Manager Don Mattingly said he decided to start Kershaw on April 10 because he wants to get his best pitcher back on the mound as soon as possible. That Kershaw's second start happens to fall on the same day as the home opener is a bonus. "It's a nice little thing to happen," Mattingly said. Kershaw is scheduled to pitch two innings in an"
Tight back delays Kershaw's first bullpen
February 23
MLB.com
 
"Dodgers Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw missed his first bullpen session of Spring Training on Wednesday as a precautionary measure due to mild back tightness. Kershaw, who signed a two-year, $19 million contract earlier this month, referred questions to the club's athletic training department. A team spokesman said Kershaw felt a tight muscle in the middle of his back during workouts before reporting earlier this week. Wednesday was the first workout at Camelback Ranch-Glendale for pitchers and catchers, and Kershaw was originally in the first day's group to throw bullpen sessions. He did play catch and worked out at the various stations. He is not expected to throw a bullpen session"
Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw are early to rise with Dodgers
February 22
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Dodgers' position players don't have to report to spring training until next week, but Matt Kemp was already in camp Tuesday with the team's pitchers and catchers, talking about how he intends to follow up one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history. Kemp reiterated his previously stated goal of becoming the first player in major league history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in the same season. He said he also wants to win the most-valuable-player award. "You have to set your limits even higher than you want them to be," said Kemp, who last year finished a home run short of becoming baseball's fifth 40-40 player."
Clayton Kershaw signs with Dodgers for $19 million over two years
February 8
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw became a newly minted millionaire and avoided a potentially contentious salary arbitration hearing by signing a two-year, $19-million contract with the Dodgers on Tuesday. "I think everybody feels good about it," Kershaw said. Kershaw, who was paid $500,000 in his Cy Young Award season last year, will receive $7.5 million next season in addition to a $500,000 signing bonus. He will draw an $11-million salary in 2013. The Dodgers gained a measure of security, too, knowing what they owe their ace in two of the three seasons before he becomes eligible for free agency. Kershaw can become a free agent for the first time after the 2014 season."
Dodgers sign Clayton Kershaw to two-year, $19-million deal
February 8
Los Angeles Times
 
"That may not have been the truly long-term contract some of the faithful were hoping for, but the Dodgers did avoid arbitration with Clayton Kershaw this year and the next by signing him Tuesday to a two-year, $19-million contract. The Times' Dylan Hernandez reports Kershaw will earn a $500,000 signing bonus, $7.5 million this season and $11 million in 2013. The club had previously exchanged arbitration figures with National League's Cy Young winner, submitting $6.5 million to Kershaw's $10-million bid."
Dodgers should sign Clayton Kershaw, long term
January 25
Los Angeles Times
 columnist Bill Plaschke
"Prince Fielder was fool's gold, and Dodgers fans shouldn't waste one moment of regret that the big lug will spend the next nine years clogging the payroll, the basepaths and eventually the training room for the Detroit Tigers. The Dodgers' biggest concern right now is not a Prince, but a king. What are they going to do with Clayton Kershaw? The easy answer is, nothing. For the next three years, they don't have to do anything with the 2011 Cy Young Award winner other than hand him a contract and watch him sign it."
Dodgers sign Ethier and Loney but are not close on Kershaw
January 18
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers appear far apart on a contract for the coming season, with the National League Cy Young Award winner asking for $10 million and the team offering $6.5 million. The Dodgers avoided salary arbitration with two other players Tuesday, signing outfielder Andre Ethier for $10.95 million and first baseman James Loney for $6.375 million. The Angels also avoided arbitration with shortstop Erick Aybar, signing him for $5.075 million. General Manager Jerry Dipoto said he would continue to discuss a long-term contract with Aybar. Ethier, Loney and Aybar all are eligible for free agency after the coming season."
Clayton Kershaw asks Dodgers for $10 million
January 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw asked the Dodgers for a $10-million salary on Tuesday, with the Dodgers countering at $6.5 million. The exchange of proposed salaries was mandated by the arbitration process. The Dodgers avoided arbitration with Andre Ethier and James Loney earlier in the day, agreeing to pay Ethier $10.95 million and Loney $6.375 million. Kershaw earned $500,000 last season, the final one in which the Dodgers could pay him whatever they liked. This is the first season in which he is eligible for salary arbitration."
Clayton Kershaw's Cy Young is a connection to Dodgers tradition
November 18
Los Angeles Times
 columnist Bill Plaschke
"Clayton Kershaw was preparing to walk across the diamond and into Dodgers history Thursday afternoon when he spotted a man standing alone, staring at him like a father would stare at a son. It was Dodgers scouting boss Logan White, tossing his phone from hand to hand, rocking on his heels, trying to act composed, failing miserably. "What are you doing over there?" Kershaw shouted. "You need to hug me!" On the infield dirt they embraced, the new Cy Young Award winner and the man who was responsible for scouting, drafting and signing him. "Thank you, thank you," whispered Kershaw. "A great day, a great day," whispered White."
Clayton Kershaw joins elite Dodgers company by winning Cy Young Award
November 18
Los Angeles Times
 
"The faces and names of the greatest pitchers in franchise history were on the electronic panels covering the facade of Dodger Stadium's second deck. Don Newcombe, Don Drysdale, Sandy Koufax, Mike Marshall, Fernando Valenzuela, Orel Hershiser and Eric Gagne. And, closest to home plate, Clayton Kershaw. Standing in front of the Dodgers' dugout Thursday, Kershaw looked up at the display, knowing there was now something tangible that linked him to these greats of the Dodgers' storied past. He was a National League Cy Young Award winner."
Clayton Kershaw wins N.L. Cy Young Award
November 17
Los Angeles Times
 
"It was Clayton Kershaw opening-day starter, Clayton Kershaw an ace, and now Clayton Kershaw … National League Cy Young Award winner. The evolution of the left-hander's breakthrough 2011 season was capped Thursday when he was named the Cy Young winner by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America. Kershaw received 27 of a possible 32 first-place votes, easily outdistancing second-place finisher Roy Halladay of the Philadelphia Phillies. Kershaw won the N.L. pitching triple crown in 2011, tying for the league lead in victories with 21, and leading it with 248 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA. And, oh yeah, he's 23 years old."
Kershaw should be clear choice for NL Cy Young
November 17
L.A. Daily News
 
"Ian Kennedy, nice job collecting 21 wins on a team that woke up one day in September and somehow captured the National League West. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, way to live up to the hype. The armed and dangerous duo delivered for a hit squad that accounted for an MLB-best 102-win season. Craig Kimbrel, save yourself some time and grab that Rookie of the Year statuette somewhere in the consolation closet. Everyone else, make room for Clayton Kershaw. Blue carpet optional. The official announcement of the NL Cy Young Award by the Baseball Writers Association of America comes this afternoon. In some kind of order Kennedy, Halladay, Lee and Kimbrel will fill out the top five. Just not the top"
Chase of baseball history by Matt Kemp and Clayton Kershaw creates buzz
September 28
Los Angeles Times
 
"Maybe this season wasn't so bad for Dodgers fans after all. The franchise is in Bankruptcy Court, the owner widely despised and the team mired well out of first place on the final day of the regular season. But the faithful got to watch pitcher Clayton Kershaw and center fielder Matt Kemp chase a statistical rarity. Only once — in 1934 — have two players on the same team captured the triple crowns of batting and pitching. Kershaw has done it with National League bests in wins, strikeouts and earned-run average. Kemp leads in home runs and runs batted in, and is third in batting average. "Why not get excited?" said John Thorn, the historian for Major League Baseball. "The idea that Kemp and"
Kershaw, Kemp pace Dodgers over Padres
September 26
San Diego Union-Tribune
 
"Both winners of the National League's top two post-season individual awards this year could – should? -- come from the same team. And that team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, is struggling to finish .500. Should it happen? And, if it does, what does that tell you about the Dodgers? Even Dodger manager Don Mattingly is a bit taken aback by the possibility. "We could go double Triple Cowns and barely be above .500," Mattingly said Sunday after Clayton Kershaw picked up his 21st win and center fielder Matt Kemp drove in the first run in the Dodgers 6-2 victory over the Padres at Petco Park. Kershaw, 23, the seventh overall pick of the 2006 draft, is tied for the National League lead in wins and"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw virtually secures pitching triple crown in 6-2 win over Padres
September 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"The National League's triple crown of pitching all but his after the Dodgers' 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Clayton Kershaw stood in front of his locker and publicly thanked his teammates as if he were an actor or singer at the podium of an awards show. Kershaw talked about the hitters who gifted him a couple of first-inning runs at Petco Park to send him on his way to his 21st win, which tied him with Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the most in the league. The Cy Young Award candidate talked about Rod Barajas, who was behind the plate for the majority of his league-best 248 strikeouts. And he talked about Kenley Jansen, who prevented the man he left on"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw virtually secures pitching triple crown in win over Padres
September 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"The National League's triple crown of pitching all but his after the Dodgers' 6-2 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday, Clayton Kershaw stood in front of his locker and publicly thanked his teammates as if he were an actor or singer at the podium of an awards show. Kershaw talked about the hitters who gifted him a couple of first-inning runs at Petco Park to send him on his way to his 21st win, which tied him with Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks for the most in the league. The Cy Young Award candidate talked about Rod Barajas, who was behind the plate for the majority of his league-best 248 strikeouts. And he talked about Kenley Jansen, who prevented the man he left on third"
Kershaw, Dodgers stifle SF Giants, 2-1
September 21
San Francisco Chronicle
 
"If Clayton Kershaw wins the Cy Young Award, he might ask the trophy manufacturers to add an engraving of his foot standing on a Giant's throat. The Dodgers' 23-year-old left-hander picked up his 20th win in a 2-1 victory against the Giants on Tuesday night. One quarter of those victories came against the Giants. For the fourth time, he won when facing two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum. "I did my job the best I could," Lincecum said of his yearlong inability to beat Kershaw, "and that's tough to say." San Francisco's eight-game win streak died at the hands of a bona fide Giants killer. In his five wins against them, Kershaw has allowed five earned runs in 42 innings."
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw reaches 20-win milestone
September 21
Los Angeles Times
 
"An organization that once set the standard for pitching, the Dodgers went more than two decades without a 20-game winner. The wait ended Tuesday night. Beating two-time Cy Young Award recipient Tim Lincecum for the fourth time this season and holding the San Francisco Giants to six hits in 71/3 innings, Clayton Kershaw won his 20th game in a 2-1 victory at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw, 23, became the first Dodger to win 20 games since Ramon Martinez was 20-6 in 1990. "This is a great organization and we've had some pretty awesome pitchers come through here, so I don't take it lightly," said Kershaw, who improved to 20-5. "But at the same time, I haven't really thought about it or let it sink"
Kershaw is Dodgers' leading man
September 20
L.A. Daily News
 
"The story line is practically served straight from Central Casting. There is Tim Lincecum, the quiet, long-haired right-hander from the Pacific Northwest with a lithe frame listed at 165 pounds. There is Clayton Kershaw, the big left-hander from Texas whose stubborn fire burned bright enough to earn an ejection in his last start. They were drafted within three spots of each other in 2006 when Kershaw was picked seventh by the Dodgers and Lincecum 10th by San Francisco. But a closer look reveals Kershaw was drafted out of high school and is four years younger than Lincecum. And getting Kershaw to talk about his counterpart would not make for great movie dialogue. "No disrespect to him, but"
Clayton Kershaw makes those Sandy Koufax comparisons plausible
September 20
Los Angeles Times
 
"The comparisons were inevitable: He was a young left-hander with a mid-90s fastball and a curveball that froze hitters. So, on the day Clayton Kershaw was first promoted to the Dodgers' major league spring training camp in 2008, then-manager Joe Torre simply said what was on everyone else's mind. That Kershaw reminded him of Sandy Koufax. Kershaw was 19 years old. Torre tried to take it back, but his words were already out. "Oh, man," farm director De Jon Watson recalled thinking. "That's a big word to drop on a kid.""
Kershaw may get more punishment
September 16
L.A. Daily News
 
"Clayton Kershaw's brushback fastball to Arizona's Gerardo Parra may have more repercussions than his ejection from Wednesday's game. A Major League Baseball representative confirmed Thursday the play is being reviewed to see if it requires additional discipline. A decision should be reached sometime today. The league could impose a fine or suspension on the Cy Young Award candidate or he could come away unscathed. Home plate umpire Bill Welke immediately ejected Kershaw under the assumption the high-and-tight pitch was in retaliation after Parra stopped to admire a home run he hit on Tuesday. Kershaw said after the game he didn't mean to give Parra a pitch that far inside, but he"
Clayton Kershaw cements his Cy Young cred
September 16
Los Angeles Times
 columnist Bill Plaschke
"The first perfect game in American League history was thrown by a pitcher who ended it with a taunt, defending his teammates against an insult, screaming at the final batter, "How do you like that, you hayseed?'' The year was 1904, and the pitcher was Cy Young. On Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, imitating that long-ago barb with an inside fastball, Clayton Kershaw proved worthy of winning the award that carries Cy Young's name. Although Kershaw will never admit it, his pitch that plunked the Arizona Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra in the elbow in the sixth inning of the Dodgers' 3-2 victory appeared to be a retaliation for Parra's crotch-grabbing, home-run posing insult of the Dodgers on"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw earns ejection and his 19th win
September 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"There were boos and apprehension when Gerardo Parra of the Arizona Diamondbacks batted for the first time against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in Wednesday night's game. After all, Kershaw had led a chorus of angry Dodgers the night before by yelling at Parra from the Dodger Stadium dugout after Parra lingered at home plate to admire his home run. Now, with a possible Cy Young Award hanging in the balance, was it possible Kershaw would brush back Parra himself? It was doubtful, and indeed Parra lined a double off Kershaw — and that was thought to be that. It wasn't. When Parra batted again to open the sixth inning and the Dodgers leading 2-0, Kershaw struck the left-handed batting Parra"
Dodgers' bullpen picks up Clayton Kershaw, holds off Diamondbacks
September 15
Arizona Republic
 
"Left-hander Clayton Kershaw seemed to state his intentions from the home dugout at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night, hollering at the Diamondbacks and Gerardo Parra, seeming to assure them that one of his fastballs would find Parra's body in the next 24 hours. slideshow Diamondbacks-Dodgers photos | Wednesday's box | MLB scoreboard And so it was no surprise when, in the top of the sixth inning on Wednesday night, Kershaw drilled Parra. The surprise came from home plate umpire Bill Welke, who immediately ejected the Cy Young Award candidate from the game without, it seemed, as so much as a warning. But it turned out there was something of a warning issued before the game, which ended with a"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw ejected for hitting Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra
September 15
Arizona Republic
 
"Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw did what many expected him to do - drilled the Diamondbacks' Gerardo Parra with a pitch - and he paid the price with an immediate ejection from Wednesday night's game at Dodger Stadium. With the Dodgers leading 2-0 in the top of the sixth inning, Kershaw hit Parra on the arm with an inside fastball on an 0-1 count."
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw earns ejection and his 19th win
September 15
Los Angeles Times
 
"There were boos and apprehension when Gerardo Parra of the Arizona Diamondbacks batted for the first time against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw in Wednesday night's game. After all, Kershaw had led a chorus of angry Dodgers the night before by yelling at Parra from the Dodger Stadium dugout after Parra lingered at home plate to admire his home run. Now, with a possible Cy Young Award hanging in the balance, was it possible Kershaw would brush back Parra himself? It was doubtful, and indeed Parra lined a double off Kershaw — and that was thought to be that. It wasn't. When Parra batted again to open the sixth inning and the Dodgers leading 2-0, Kershaw struck the left-handed batting Parra"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw is winner in a real-deal duel
September 10
Los Angeles Times
 
"There will come a day when an old man will sit in his rocking chair and tell his grandchildren he was at AT&T Park on a night like Friday night. He will tell the kids how he saw Clayton Kershaw and Tim Lincecum go head-to-head, matching each other zero for zero, much the way his own grandfather used to tell him about Sandy Koufax and Juan Marichal. The stories will increase in magnificence with each retelling, Kershaw's curveball becoming this much sharper and Lincecum's fastball that much more electric. But for now, Matt Kemp's description will suffice. "Two dominating pitchers," Kemp said. "Both of them have great stuff. Lincecum's won two Cy Youngs. Kershaw, I feel, this should be his"
At their worst, the Dodgers have two of the best
September 2
Los Angeles Times
 columnist Bill Plaschke
"It would be a sight as odd and unsettling as it is beautiful, sunflowers stretching above weeds, sunlight streaking through dusk. But in a season of wrong, nothing would be more right. Did you hear that a Dodgers team populated with misery and mediocrity could soon be adding two more notable players to their clubhouse? Guys by the name of Cy Young and MVP. Why not? Who says it can't happen? Does greatness on the field really have to be diluted by dullness in the standings? As of this column, Clayton Kershaw is the National League's best pitcher, and Matt Kemp is the National League's best player, and if they are still dominating when the season ends in a month, why should anything else"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw pitches gem in 4-1 win over San Diego
August 30
Los Angeles Times
 
"Clayton Kershaw leads the National League in strikeouts and innings pitched. Only Ian Kennedy, who pitches for a first-place team, has as many victories. Only Johnny Cueto, who has pitched almost 60 fewer innings, has a lower earned-run average. Only Roy Halladay has pitched more complete games. But only 29,764 fans were said to be in the stands at Dodger Stadium to witness Kershaw's latest masterpiece, a 4-1 complete-game victory over the San Diego Padres — and based on the numerous blocks of empty seats, that attendance figure appeared to be grossly inflated. "I thought about that during the game," Manager Don Mattingly said. "You hate to see the highlights of Clayton's season — it's a"
These baseball players are making themselves right at home
August 26
Los Angeles Times
 
"Three things fans can count on this season at Angel Stadium: fireworks after Angels homers, the Rally Monkey appearing in late innings when the home team needs a run and Scott Downs shutting down the opposition. It's "Inning Over" whenever the Angels left-hander emerges from the bullpen behind left field. He has not given up a run in 20 2/3 innings, striking out 17 and walking only two to go with his immaculate 0.00 earned-run average. Away from Angel Stadium, Downs doesn't have the same halo of invincibility. The reliever has a solid but unspectacular 2.66 ERA in 20 2/3 innings, striking out nine and walking seven. Welcome to Splitsville, where one's success at home rarely correlates to"
Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw continues to shine
August 14
Los Angeles Times
 
"Sizing up the apparent mismatch between the Houston Astros and Clayton Kershaw, a radio reporter asked Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly before the game if his ace had a chance to do something more special than usual against the team with the worst record in baseball. "You mean a perfect game or something?" Mattingly said. Jason Michaels erased that possibility with a broken-bat infield single in the second inning Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, but Kershaw was nearly flawless for much of a 6-1 victory in which he notched his career-high 14th victory. The kid pitcher who continues to come of age overwhelmed an infantile team with 12 rookies and 16 players age 27 or younger, holding Houston"