Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and Clayton Kershaw all Golden

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Those 2011 Dodgers must have been some ballclub. At least some defensive club.

Three Dodgers were awarded Gold Gloves on Tuesday night -- outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier and pitcher Clayton Kershaw -- the most for one season in team history.

It was the second Gold Glove for Kemp who won in 2009, and the first for Ethier and Kershaw.

This year the Gold Gloves were awarded to each specific outfield position, meaning three center fielders could not gobble up the awards.

That had to have helped Ethier, who did not make an error in 128 games and is considered a solid outfielder, but previously wasn’t mentioned in the Gold Glove conversation.

Kemp returned to the defensive form he displayed two years ago, and probably had an even more consistent season. He had 11 outfield assists and five errors.

The Gold Gloves were presented as something of an awkward awards show on ESPN. It was clearly taped, since no mention was given to the show broadcasting 50 minutes late because of Northern Illinois’ 63-60 football victory over Tulane. There was curious big-band music played throughout.

It did allow for a few interviews, including Kershaw, who looked very relaxed while saying how excited he was to capture his first Gold Glove.

‘It’s awesome,’ Kershaw said. ‘I really didn’t ever expect to win that type of award. When you look at some of the names that have won before like Greg Maddux, it’s pretty special.’

Kershaw is also a leading candidate to capture the National League Cy Young award, and was asked about a potential double victory.

‘That would be an awesome off-season,’ Kershaw said. ‘I’ll let this one sink in for now. If I get the other, that would be the icing on the cake.’

This year the three finalists at each position were announced, Kershaw winning his award over nominated teammate Hiroki Kuroda. James Loney was also nominated at first base for the Dodgers, where Cincinnati’s Joey Votto won.

Kemp and Ethier became just the fifth pair of outfielders from the same team to win National League Gold Gloves for the same season.

In the American League, the Angels’ Erick Aybar won at shortstop over Cleveland’s Asdrubal Cabrera and Baltimore’s J.J. Hardy. It is Aybar’s first Gold Glove.

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-- Steve Dilbeck