Major League Baseball

Dodgers' Kershaw receives Warren Spahn Award

Published Jan. 27, 2012 2:36 a.m. ET

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw accepted the Warren Spahn Award on Thursday night as the best left-handed pitcher in baseball.

''It's the biggest trophy I've ever gotten,'' Kershaw said, laughing. ''I don't know if I'll be able to carry it on the plane.''

Kershaw, the National League Cy Young winner, led the NL with a 21-5 record, 248 strikeouts and a 2.28 ERA. He also was selected to his first All-Star game and won his first Gold Glove.

''It's been a progression. I think a lot of it has to do with being more comfortable and getting more experience,'' Kershaw said. ''It's just a lot of things coming together. Once you have some success you gain some confidence and you expect to do that every time out.''

The Spahn award is based on a pitcher's wins, strikeouts and ERA. Spahn won 363 career games in his Hall of Fame career. He died in 2003.

Kershaw is eligible for salary arbitration. After earning $500,000 last season, Kershaw and agent Alan Hendricks have asked the Dodgers for $10 million next season. The Dodgers have countered at $6.5 million.

''I'm not worried about it at all,'' Kershaw said. ''My court date was set. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, it will be settled before then but you never know.''

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