Clayton Kershaw winning the NL MVP award this year is the definition of a dilemma for me. It truly is. I'm straddling the fence with my feelings about it, constantly going back and forth, mostly between what I know (statistics and who the MVP award is for) and what I feel (who he plays for, why I love the sport, etc.). This is where a For/Against list comes in handy to explain myself, though I'm not sure I will end up feeling much better about this afterward, but I might. Let's try it. It's a process, people.
FOR/AGAINST = WHAT I KNOW
FOR CLAYTON KERSHAW WINNING NL MVP
The Dodgers were 23-4 in games he started this season
The Dodgers won the last 21 games of the season in which he pitched
His ERA was under 2 (!?!?!?!?!?)
His WHIP was under 1 (!?!?!?!?!)
The remainder of the Dodgers rotation pitched to a team ERA of over 4
198 innings pitched is A LOT for a pitcher who missed at least 4 weeks of the season
Hitters were 0-4 with the bases loaded against him THE ENTIRE SEASON
I can't think of any other player on the Dodgers more valuable than he was this season
I can't think of any other pitcher on any other team more valuable than he was this season
He faced more batters than Giancarlo Stanton or Andrew McCutchen had plate appearances (though if neither of them had been hurt this year this wouldn't been made the list)
AGAINST CLAYTON KERSHAW WINNING NL MVP
He missed 4 weeks of the season, only throwing 198 innings
His missing 4 weeks gave him more stamina at the end of the season
He pitched every fifth day
FOR/AGAINST = WHAT I FEEL
FOR CLAYTON KERSHAW WINNING NL MVP
He's the single greatest pitcher I've ever seen in my life
He's one of the reasons I love baseball and pitching specifically
His curveball is the equivalent of baseball porn to me
He's a model athlete: talented, humble, hard-working, fun-loving, not a jerk
AGAINST CLAYTON KERSHAW WINNING NL MVP
He pitches for the Dodgers, duh
Pitchers shouldn't win regular season MVP awards
The Dodgers had Sandy Koufax and Orel Hershiser, they don't need more damn pitching awards
Dodger fans shoving it in Giants fans faces endlessly
Hearing the Justin Verlander comparisons on winning MVP/Cy Young in same season
That might not be much to look at, but the end result helps reiterate why I'm so conflicted on Kershaw winning the MVP award. He's so unbelievably, ridiculously good and plays for a team that I hate with the passion of 1000 suns. Ugh. Just ugh. BUT HOLY CRAP I LOVE WATCHING HIM PITCH SO GOD DAMN MUCH IT HURTS.
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