PHOENIX – Clayton Kershaw stands a good chance of becoming the first National League pitcher to win an MVP award in 46 years when the award is announced on Thursday, but one Dodgers legend doesn’t think he merits it.
Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda said he thinks the MVP should be reserved for everyday players.
Then again, take it with a grain of salt. Lasorda is 87. He was 41 the last time an NL pitcher, Bob Gibson, took the MVP.
“I think pitchers should win the pitching award, the Cy Young Award, but not the MVP, because he only goes out there every four or five games,” Lasorda said in an appearance on SiriusXM’s MLB Network Radio. “The other guys go out there every day and that makes a big difference in that award. I think it should be set that pitchers should not get the Most Valuable Player.”
Justin Verlander won the Cy Young and MVP in the American League three years ago, but the last NL pitcher to pull it off was Gibson after his remarkable 1968 season. Kershaw, who went 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA, led all National League players with a 7.5 WAR. The other two finalists are Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Giancarlo Stanton of the Miami Marlins.
The NL Cy Young award balloting will be released Wednesday and Kershaw is expected to be a unanimous selection.