Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw, who capped a remarkable season by winning the National League Cy Young Award, was presented with the 2011 Sportsman of the Year award during the seventh annual LA Sports Awards, presented by AT&T U-verseon March 15 at Club Nokia at L.A. Live.

The LA Sports Awards are presented annually by the Los Angeles Sports Council to celebrate the greatest moments of the year in sports in the Los Angeles/Orange County area.

Although the Dodgers are in spring training in Arizona Kershaw flew here to accept the award.

The Sportsman award is given to the local male athlete whose performance and character best exemplified the ideals of sportsmanship during the calendar year.

In just his fourth Major League season, Kershaw emerged as one of the game's most dominant pitchers. The 23-year-old All-Star led the Majors with a 2.28 ERA, tied for the National League lead with 21 wins and ranked first in the league with 248 strikeouts en route to winning league's top individual pitching award.

Previous Sportsman of the Year honorees were: Derek Fisher, L.A. Lakers (2010); Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers (2009); Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (2008); David Beckham, L.A. Galaxy (2007); Elton Brand, L.A. Clippers (2006); and Matt Leinart, USC football (2005).