Clayton Kershaw is a shoo-in for the 2014 Cy Young Award and he's also a strong candidate for the National League MVP. But even before those accolades were announced, players across the MLB voted him the player of the year, man of the year and the NL's outstanding pitcher.
Kershaw took home three of the four Player's Choice awards and was the first player to do so since their inception in 1992. Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton took the final award, which was the National League's outstanding player. Kershaw's awards were well-deserved since he led the MLB in ERA (1.77) for the fourth consecutive season and became the first player in baseball history to reach that milestone. He was also first in WHIP (0.86), wins (21) and WAR (7.5) among all MLB pitchers.
Players across the league voted for the nominees of each award on September 16. The player of the year and most outstanding pitcher awards are self-explanatory, but the man of the year award is a bit different. Known as the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award, Kershaw was honored as the player who "most inspires others through his efforts on and off the field," chiefly because of the charity work conducted by him and his wife.
Kershaw will likely be receiving more awards, but he'll have to wait until later this month for the official announcements of the Cy Young and MVP winners that are voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America.
Other Player's Choice award winners:
AL Outstanding Player: Mike Trout, LAA
AL Outstanding Pitcher: Felix Hernandez, SEA
AL Outstanding Rookie: Jose Abreu, CWS
AL Comeback Player: Chris Young, SEA
NL Outstanding Rookie: Jacob deGrom, NYM
NL Comeback Player: Casey McGehee, MIA
But Kershaw and these other players aren't the only ones receiving good news in the MLB. Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona was given a two-year extension on Tuesday to remain with the team through the 2018 season. The deal also includes club options for 2019 and 2020. Francona has managed the Indians for the past two seasons and has a combined 177-147 record with the team, including one playoff appearance. Cleveland missed the playoffs in 2014 by only three games, mainly due to injuries and poor defense.
There's no doubt Francona's presence has made a difference. In his first year with the team, Cleveland clinched a wild card berth and made their first playoff appearance since 2007. Francona compiled a 744-552 record in eight seasons with the Boston Red Sox, which included a 28-17 postseason record and two World Series championships before he arrived in Cleveland. His guidance and leadership is likely considered crucial as the Indians sit in the competitive AL Central division comprised of the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals, Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins.
The financial terms of the extension have not yet been disclosed.
