Clayton Kershaw gifts scotch to Los Angeles Rams

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace isn't just crafty on the mound, he's also quite the creative gift-giver.

On Tuesday Kershaw welcomed the Los Angeles Rams to town with 200 bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label. Kershaw's gifts are Dodger Blue and "Year of the Ram" edition. He included the inscription: "Welcome Home! LA all day," on all of the bottles. The pitcher allegedly spent about $40,000 on the bottles, which retail for $200.

"It's awesome to welcome the Rams back to Los Angeles," Kershaw told reporters, according to CBS Los Angeles. "LA is a great sports city and I've loved playing baseball here. I know our loyal LA fan base has been waiting for this moment for a long time. To celebrate their return and welcome the Rams back to our city, it seemed fitting to send the team limited edition bottles of Johnnie Walker Blue Label: Year of the Ram. I look forward to watching them play for many seasons to come. Here's to a new beginning, great success and a winning season!"

The Rams face the Dallas Cowboys in its first preseason game at 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

Kershaw is due $32 million in 2016. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 National League MVP is 11-2 this season with a major-league leading 1.79 ERA and three shutouts.