The man never refused to give up and is now living his last few days in privacy with his family, away from the cameras. Koufax won the NL MVP Award and the Hickok Belt, and was the first-ever unanimous selection for the Cy Young Award. Facing the Yankees in the 1963 World Series, Koufax beat Whitey Ford 52 in Game 1 and struck out the first five batters and 15 overall, breaking Carl Erskine's decade-old record of 14 (a record that would fall to Gibson's 17 in the 1968 World Series opener). But after the long layoff, Koufax was ineffective in three appearances as the Giants caught the Dodgers at the end of the regular season, forcing a three-game playoff. [26], Because Koufax's signing bonus was greater than $4,000 ($40,000 today), he was known as a bonus baby. Laurie recognized that Koufax might be able to pitch, and recruited the 17-year-old to pitch for the Coney Island Sports League's Parkviews. Baseball Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente became the first Latin American player to collect 3,000 career hits before his death in a plane crash. Both players were represented by an entertainment lawyer, J. William Hayes, which was unusual in an era when players were not even represented by agents. Topps Sandy Koufax 1961 Season Baseball Sports Trading Cards & Accessories, Topps Sandy Koufax Baseball Cards 1942-1980, Topps Sandy Koufax Ungraded Baseball Sports Trading Cards, Topps Sandy Koufax Baseball Sports Trading Card Singles, Topps Sandy Koufax Baseball Sports Trading Cards & Accessories, Sandy Koufax Baseball Trading Cards, "When he (Koufax) first came up, he couldn't throw a ball inside the batting cage," said Hall of Fame teammate Duke Snider. He was selected to seven 2020 Topps Stadium Club #290 Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Card. He is an actor, known for 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Shotgun Slade (1959) and Michael Shayne (1960). Sandy Koufax Career Stats Leagues Statistics including batting, fielding, prospect rankings and more on Baseball-Reference.com Pitching is the art of instilling fear. He resigned in 1990, saying he was not earning his keep, but most observers blamed it on his uneasy relationship with manager Tommy Lasorda. Finally, on his way out the door in 1966, Koufax finished 27-9, the most victories in any of his 12 seasons. The highly favored Los Angeles Dodgers had dropped the first game of the World Series. June 19, 2022 4 AM PT. [35], To prepare for the 1957 season, the Dodgers sent Koufax to Puerto Rico to play winter ball. By July, though, his entire hand was becoming numb and he was unable to complete some games. He led the Miami Heat to NBA titles in 2012 and 2013 and won another championship with Cleveland in 2016, before joining the Los Angeles Lakers in 2018. He is also notable for being one of the outstanding Jewish athletes in U.S. sports; Koufax's decision not to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it fell on the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur garnered national attention as a conflict between religious calling and society, and remains a notable event in U.S. Jewish history. Eddie Mathews bunted, and Koufax threw the ball into center field. Out of those two transitionary years, 1961-62, Sandy Koufax the master-of-all-time, baseball's Leonardo, arrived. Ten days of experimental medicine successfully reopened the artery. However, the morning after his 19th win, a shutout in which he struck out 13 batters, he could not straighten his arm. Koufax won his second pitchers' Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (26), ERA (2.04) and strikeouts (382, the highest modern-day total at the time, topped only by Nolan Ryan's 383 in 1973), and captured his second unanimous Cy Young Award. [71], On June 4, playing at Connie Mack Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies, Koufax walked Richie Allen on a very close full-count pitch in the fourth inning. Born: If he's rested and ready to take the mound again, we want him on our team." Catcher Norm Sherry advised him to throw slightly less hard in order to improve his control. Arrives before Christmas Only 16 left in stock - order soon. Instead, the Dodgers were swept in four games, not scoring a single run in the last three. Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Evelyn and Jack Braun. [79][114] The Dodgers again hired Koufax in 2013 as a special advisor to team chairman Mark Walter to work with the pitchers during spring training and consult during the season. He is the inspiration for my site's whimsical "Sabbathmetrics" series (examining whether Jewish ballplayers do better or worse on the Sabbath). 5. When Koufax allowed baserunners, he was rarely permitted to finish the inning. "[24] The Dodgers signed Koufax for a $6,000 ($61,000 today) salary, with a $14,000 ($141,000 today) signing bonus. [82], The winning run was unearned, scored without a hit when the Dodger's Lou Johnson walked, reached second on a sacrifice, stole third, and scored on a throwing error by Chicago catcher Chris Krug. On April 18, he struck out three batters on nine pitches in the third inning of a 30 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the only NL pitcher to have two "immaculate innings". Sandy Koufax was born as Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935. On March 31, the morning after pitching a complete spring training game, Koufax awoke to find that his entire left arm was black and blue from hemorrhaging. He is married to Jane Purucker Clarke. At the age of thirty-six, he became the youngest player to get elected for Basketball hall of fame. Instead, Koufax made a living on a baseball diamond, becoming one of the most dominating left-handers of all time. About Sandy Koufax. He pitched 12 seasons for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1955 to 1966. In that start, he struck out 11 in seven innings, but got no decision. Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection. In the first inning, Koufax walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. Koufax kept Kerlan's advice to himself and went out every fourth day to pitch. Sandy Koufax The famous, amazingly talented Sandy Koufax has led a life filled with hardships, swarmed his way up with his talent, and has faced heartbreaks too. LeBron James became an immediate star after skipping college to join the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers. Sabermetrician Rob Neyer called it the best curve of all time. You name a better left-hander in the history of baseball and Ill eat my hat, said Hall of Famer Harry Hooper. in Brooklyn, NY He has been hailed as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Koufax has always been known for living a very private life and that nature carried over into the hobby for a long time, leaving collectors without nearly enough autographs to meet the demand. [23] After seeing Koufax pitch for Lafayette, Campanis invited him to an Ebbets Field tryout. "[45] During spring training, Dodger scout Kenny Myers discovered a hitch in Koufax's windup, where he would rear back so far he would lose sight of the target. Ruttman, "Sandy Koufax: Pitcher Nonpareil and Perfect Gentleman". Nothing else matters, and nothing else will do." Sandy Koufax I can't picture people talking about me 50 years from now. honors Steinbrenner, Clemens at 15th annual dinner", "Sandy Koufax: Pitcher Nonpareil and Perfect Gentleman", "Close-Up: Good Life of Baseball's Number 1 Hero", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sandy_Koufax&oldid=1132877459, October 2,1966,for theLos Angeles Dodgers. (Age 19-176d, He remains, over half a century later, on the very short list of pitchers who retired with more career strikeouts than innings pitched. throughout the year . us, High School: Lafayette HS (Brooklyn, NY), Schools: Columbia University (New York, NY), University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH), Debut: Few individuals knew it at the time, but on Oct. 6, 1966, Sandy Koufax started the final game of his career. We present them here for purely educational purposes. His nationality is American by birth. Lasorda would later joke that it took Koufax to keep him off the Dodger pitching staff. Sandy Koufax, a former professional baseball player, began his career in 1955 when he was signed by his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers. Pietrusza, David; Silverman, Matthew & Gershman, Michael, ed. Robinson saw that Koufax was talented and had flashes of brilliance, and objected to him being benched for weeks at a time. Sandy Koufax. In 1954, he signed a contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers that contained a bonus which required at the time for Koufax to report to the major league team for two years. "[85] Drysdale responded that Bavasi had done the same thing with him, in reverse. from the SABR BioProject, More Sandy Koufax Pages at Baseball Reference. Award by a unanimous vote . Koufax was born Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. [50] He pitched six innings in four All-Star games,[100] including being the starting pitcher for three innings in the 1966 All-Star Game. $1,895.00. '65, when he pitched two shutouts . He had six exemplary seasons in the 1960s. Koufax won the Cy Young Award in 1963, 1965 and 1966 by unanimous votes, winning the Triple Crown[2][3][4][5] and leading the Dodgers to a pennant each year; he was the first three-time winner of the award, and the only pitcher to do so when a single award was given instead of one for each league. His reputation was marred, however, by the university's child abuse sex scandal in 2011, which resulted in his dismissal. [129], Author Larry Ruttman called Koufax "an icon" for Jewish people because of his pitching skill and what he called Koufax's "deep respect for his Judaism" as shown in 1965. For Sandy Koufax, his faith came before his career. His decision garnered national headlines, raising the conflict between professional pressures and personal religious beliefs to front-page news. Fans and collectors are buying in good faith items they believe are real. With the Dodgers out of the pennant race he did not pitch again, ending the season with a 195 record[73] and leading the NL with a 1.74 ERA. With his third no-hitter in three years Koufax tied Feller as the only modern-era pitchers to hurl three no-hitters.[72]. 3 Sandy Koufax Quotes About Life "There is among us a far closer relationship than the purely social one of a fraternal organization because we are bound together not only by a single interest but by a common goal. 32 was retired alongside those of fellow Dodger greats Roy Campanella In the second game of a doubleheader, Koufax faced Jim Bunning for the second time that season,[90] in a match-up between perfect game winners. The 1965 season brought more obstacles for Koufax. Despite displaying tantalizing abilityhe struck out 14 batters in his second major league startthe left-hander was too wild to remain a regular in the rotation. Willie Mays said, "I knew every pitch he was going to throw fastball, breaking ball or whatever. Thanks in no small part to his late-career supremacy, Koufax cards are sought after and, in many cases, extremely valuable. Sandy Koufax Autographed Authentic Mitchell & Ness 1963 Replica Jersey - Grey. Over the next three seasons, Koufax was in and out of the starting rotation due to injuries. [10] He later earned a partial scholarship. The majority of the proceeds from the sales off this site will go to charity. In a start in Cincinnati his finger split open after one inning. In baseball history, he has been named as greatest pitchers. He was a seven-time All-Star and four-time World Series champion. What I don't understand is how he lost five,"[67] to which Dodger shortstop Maury Wills responded, "He didn't. Despite his injury-shortened career, the pitcher retired at the height of his game and left a lasting mark. [43], In early 1960, Koufax asked Dodgers general manager Buzzie Bavasi to trade him because he was not getting enough playing time. He also took Butazolidin for inflammation, applied capsaicin-based Capsolin ointment (also sold by the brand name "Atomic Balm") before each game, and soaked his arm in a tub of ice afterwards. Jewish American baseball pitcher Sandy Koufax was a star player for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers before elbow arthritis forced him into early retirement. Sandy Koufax's legacy as the greatest Jewish athlete ever has never been in question. Koufax, at age 36 in 1972, became the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. [2][102] Koufax and Juan Marichal are the only two pitchers to have more than one 25-win season in the post-World War II era, with each man recording three. Sandy Koufax pitched the game of his life in his final regular-season performance. "His selection is a tribute to the esteem with which he is held by everyone associated with this league", said former New York Met Art Shamsky, who managed the Miracle. [6] Drysdale pitched the opener, but was hit hard by the Minnesota Twins. We strive for accuracy and fairness. With the Series tied at 22, Koufax pitched a complete-game shutout in Game 5 for a 32 Dodgers lead as the Series returned to Metropolitan Stadium for Game 6, which the Twins won to force a seventh game. Koufax, who has been married twice and, according to Leavy, now "shares his life" with a woman, not that there's anything wrong with that, didn't show up last week at spring training in Vero. The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball, Salaries may not be complete (especially pre-1985) and may not include some earned bonuses, Note, this is done in an automated way, so we apologize for any errors, & please. Campanis later said, "There are two times in my life the hair on my arms has stood up: The first time I saw the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and the second time, I saw Sandy Koufax throw a fastball. While batting in April, he had been jammed by a pitch from Earl Francis. He won five straight NL ERA titles from 1962-66 and led the Dodgers to the NL pennant in 1963, 1965 and 1966, winning the World Series in 1963 and 1965. [132], Koufax with the Los Angeles Dodgers, c. 1965, Baseball Anecdotes by Daniel Okrent and Steve Wulf, Harper and Row Publishers, 1989, The play-by-play data from which these averages were calculated are only available starting in 1957. This forced the Dodgers to keep him on the major league roster for at least two years before he could be sent to the minors. He had two wins in 1955, which were both shutouts. On May 15, the restriction on sending Koufax down to the minors was lifted. Koufax also won the Hickok Belt a second time, the first time anyone had won the belt more than once. Koufax later said, "I had nothing at all." He ended up with a third pitcher's Triple Crown, pitching 323 innings, posting a 279 record, and recording a 1.73 ERA. He was the first pitcher in history to average more than one strikeout per inning, and the first to allow fewer than seven hits per nine innings pitched. Instead, both signed to appear in the movie Warning Shot, starring David Janssen. The advice worked, Koufax struck out the side, and then went on to pitch seven no-hit innings. The Dodgers won the pennant, and Koufax won the first of three pitchers' Triple Crowns, leading the league in wins (25), strikeouts (306) and ERA (1.88). [22] Dodgers scout Al Campanis heard about Koufax from Jimmy Murphy, a part-time scout. He pitched well enoughBaltimore first baseman Boog Powell told Koufax's biographer, Jane Leavy, "He might have been hurtin' but he was bringin'"but three errors by Dodger center fielder Willie Davis in the fifth inning produced three unearned runs. He won both the Cy Young Award and NL Most Valuable Player Award that season. Smilin' Sandy is back and better yet, they are very easy to pick up online for a pretty reasonable price. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. The game has a cleanness. Sanford "Sandy" Koufax, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, was referred to as the "man with the golden arm." He established one record after another as he went through an 11-year career as a pitcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers. vs. PHI 9.0 IP, 7 H, 10 SO, 1 BB, 2 ER, W. Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1972. Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier when he became the first Black athlete to play Major League Baseball after joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Teammate Ed Palmquist missed the flight, so Koufax was told he would need to pitch at least seven innings. [50] In the first game he faced only one batter, giving up a hit to Al Kaline in the ninth inning. Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax returned to the Dodgers in January 2013 to serve as He was knocked out in the second inning, after giving up home runs to future Hall of Famer Willie Mays and Jim Davenport. [128] In addition, there were other Jewish holidays where he said he would not pitch, including Seder night of Passover and 3 times on Rosh Hashanah, one of which was Game 4 of the 1959 World Series. Once alerted, he made an effort to better disguise his deliveries. Find out more. (Age 30-276d) [55], Koufax had a strong season despite an injured pitching hand. Teammate Joe Pignatano said that as soon as Koufax threw a couple of balls in a row, Alston would signal for a replacement to start warming up in the bullpen. Traumatic arthritis in his elbow ended Koufaxs career early due to a threat of permanent disability. portion of Spring Training to work with Dodger pitchers and consulting with the team On June 4, 1972, Koufax's uniform No . [32], During the fall, he enrolled in the Columbia University School of General Studies, which offered night classes in architecture. He is married to Jane Purucker Clarke. (39) and Jackie Robinson (42). Kershaw's 102 game score ranks as the third-highest in MLB history behind Kerry Wood (105, May 6, 1998, vs. Astros) and Max Scherzer (104, October 3, 2015, vs. Mets), and above Koufax's . Koufax was pitching better than ever, however, so he ignored the problem, hoping that the condition would clear up. [121], In 1990 Koufax was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. I started running more. Doyel: Sandy Koufax made the Hall of Fame, but not this semi-pro team in Oldenburg, Indiana. As head football coach at Pennsylvania State University, Joe Paterno was one of the most successful coaches in the history of collegiate football. I decided I was really going to find out how good I can be. The problem is not to figure out why Sandy Koufax was a great pitcher. Despite giving up on his curveball early in the game after failing to throw strikes with it in the first two innings, and pitching the rest of the game relying almost entirely on fastballs, Koufax threw a three-hit shutout to clinch the Series. The Dodgers unveiled a statue of Sandy Koufax on Saturday, the second such structure in the center field plaza at Dodger Stadium, a stone's throw away from the Jackie Robinson statue that was . Gilbert marveled at what his friend accomplished. Koufax was the first pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards, as well as the first pitcher to win a Cy Young In June 1959, Koufax set the record for a night game with 16 strikeouts. in Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania (Graduated 2020) 1 y The only time anyone ever tried to measure how fast Sandy Koufax could throw was during spring training of 1960 as part of a test set up by This Week magazine. He played it through his youth, high school and even earned himself a scholarship to the University of Cincinnati. On June 30 against the expansion New York Mets, he threw his first no-hitter. MLB Debut Koufax made his major league debut on June 24 1955 against the Milwaukee Braves, with the Dodgers trailing 7-1 in the fifth inning.Johnny Logan, the first batter Koufax faced, hit a bloop single. Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy by Jane Leavy 6,337 ratings, 4.06 average rating, 276 reviews Open Preview Sandy Koufax Quotes Showing 1-6 of 6 "In the immortal words of Willie Stargell, trying to hit Koufax was like "trying to drink coffee with a fork." Jane Leavy, Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy 3 likes Like All images are property the copyright holder and are displayed here for informational purposes only. He has since worked for the Dodgers organization in a variety of capacities. Koufax had to call it a career after the 1966 season as a result of worsening arthritis in his throwing arm. [20] During his Pirates tryout, his fastball broke the thumb of Sam Narron, the team's bullpen coach. [15] In his only season, Koufax went 31 with a 2.81 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 30 walks in 32 innings. His life should be an inspiration for us all. Proud to support B-R.COM, and to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete and person. He was named the World Series MVP in both 1963 and 1965, earning two wins in each Series and striking out 52 batters to lead the team to another pair of titles. The one-year wonder that was '63 Fleer gave us some dandy cards of 1960s Hall of Famers and this might be the best card in the set. The future baseball great took on his more familiar surname at age 9 when his mother, Evelyn, remarried attorney Irving Koufax. Let scroll the below table. He posted an 1813 record and led the league with 269 strikeouts, breaking Christy Mathewson's 58-year-old NL mark of 267. Baltimore's 20-year-old future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer pitched a four-hitter, and the Orioles won 60. Born on Dec. 30, 1935 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Koufax impressed a scout who saw him throw for his college baseball team. 304 pp. To get himself through the games he pitched, Koufax resorted to Empirin with codeine for the pain, which he took every night and sometimes during the fifth inning. With an overworked pitching staff there was no one else, as Drysdale and Johnny Podres had pitched the prior two days. [131], Koufax serves as a member of the advisory board of the Baseball Assistance Team, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping former major league, minor league, and Negro league players through financial and medical difficulties. [103], "I knew every pitch he was going to throw and still I couldn't hit him. In. Sandy Koufax is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. After seeing Koufax's Game 1 performance, Yankee Yogi Berra said, "I can see how he won 25 games. He was the youngest player (age 36) and the The former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher undoubtedly had a far higher net worth because players were not paid as richly as they are today. Sandy Koufax was born on 30 December 1935 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Save 15% on 2 select item(s) FREE delivery Dec 13 - 15 . On two days rest, Koufax pitched a 6-3 complete-game victory to clinch the pennant. League seasons, he had a career record of 165-87, a 2 .76 ERA, 2,396 strikeouts, 137 complete games and 40 Jackie Robinson, in his final season, clashed with Alston on Koufax's usage. strikeouts . that Sandy Koufax attended the University of Cincinnati on a basketball scholarship, playing freshman basketball (and baseball) under legendary hoops coach Ed Jucker? 1963 Fleer Sandy Koufax. Instead, Koufax made a living on a baseball diamond, becoming one of the most dominating left-handers of all time. Why Sandy Koufax is an important figure in baseball history. After setting a modern NL record in 1961 with 269 strikeouts, in 1963 he became the first pitcher in 17 years and the first left-hander since 1904 to strike out 300 batters. Besides, he was also the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of fame when he was 36 years old. Facing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Koufax struck out 13 while pitching his first complete game in almost two years. The mention of his name brought the biggest cheer at the event. Starting Game 7 on just two days of rest, Koufax pitched through fatigue and arthritic pain. Privacy Statement/Your California Privacy Rights. [88], Koufax and Drysdale did not report to spring training in February. With Dodgers manager Walter Alston and scouting director Fresco Thompson watching, Campanis assumed the hitter's stance while Koufax started throwing. [16][17] Bill Zinser, a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers, sent the Dodgers front office a glowing report that apparently was filed and forgotten. [21] The Pirates, however, failed to offer Koufax a contract until after he was already committed to the Dodgers. If you're a baseball fan with a sense . He made 43 appearances, had 27 complete games (eight shutouts) and 382 strikeouts in 335 2/3 innings. [25] Koufax planned to use the money as tuition to finish his university education, if his baseball career failed. To win. Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax returned to the Dodgers in January 2013 to serve as Special Advisor to Dodgers' Chairman Mark Walter . An outstanding schoolboy athlete, Koufax starred at basketball and barely played baseball during his time at Lafayette High School. He and Oscar Robertson are neck-and-neck in the debate over the greatest UC athlete of all time. He was 36-40 with a 4.10 ERA and allowed close to 13 base runners per nine innings, including over five walks per game. And you still couldn't hit it. He He was awarded Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award. In a Reserve Price Auction, the seller has set a Reserve Price, which is a price below which the listing . In 1965 he set a major league record with 382 strikeouts; it was broken in 1973 by Nolan Ryan, but remains the top mark for NL pitchers and left-handers. December 30, 1935 $23.95. Eddie Mathews bunted, and Koufax threw the ball into center field. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Drysdale was to play a TV commentator and Koufax a detective. To make room for him, the Dodgers optioned their future Hall of Fame manager, Tommy Lasorda, to the Montreal Royals of the International League. [8][9] His parents, Evelyn (ne Lichtenstein) and Jack Braun, divorced when he was three years old. The need to create the site and offer real products is long overdue. Allen, who was thrown out trying to steal second, was the only Phillie to reach base that day. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Kerlan also told Koufax that he would eventually lose full use of his arm. Koufax played 12 years at the MLB level, all with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. [74], On June 20, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets, Koufax pitched his second one-hitter, allowing only a fifth-inning home run by Jim Hickman before the Dodgers came back for a 2-1 win. LOS ANGELES (AP) When Sandy Koufax joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955, he was in awe of being on the same team with Jackie Robinson. [115], Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, 1972, just weeks after his 36th birthday. Koufax ended up getting $125,000 and Drysdale $110,000 (equivalent to $0.92million in 2021). We lost them for him. On Sept. 25, 1966, at Wrigley Field, Sandy Koufax, the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar who soon would retire, faced off against Ken Holtzman, the promising 20-year-old rookie for the Chicago Cubs.. Dodgers team physician, Dr. Robert Kerlan, said at the time, "Sandy pitches in extreme pain that can . However, he emerged as a hard-throwing left-handed pitcher at the University of Cincinnati and left after one year to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers. There were thirty-three bidders that were interested enough to pay top dollar for this card, but . Logos were compiled by the amazing SportsLogos.net. [54] On April 22, however, "he felt something let go in his arm," resulting in three cortisone shots for a sore elbow and three missed starts. The six-time All-Star would go on to win two more Cy Young Awards in 1965 and 1966, finishing second in MVP voting and leading the league in wins both seasons. When he did play college baseball the scouts came in droves. Sandy Koufax 24 X 18 X 1.5 Inch Premium Canvas Framed Art Print Artwork Signed By Artist To Stars, WINFORD WRealArt (243) $199.95 1955 SANDY KOUFAX Topps #23 Rookie Card print - Vintage Baseball Poster, Rare Baseball Card, Baseball Card Collector, Baseball Card Art DingerStudios (864) $26.00 FREE shipping 1961 Topps Sandy Koufax VG-EX He was one of six pitchers who's fastball velocities were measured. There will alsobe items offered where 100 percent of the sale goes to charity and those items will be clearly marked. THE CARD; THE PLAYER; ARTICLES; In the case of Koufax, there is no doubting the fact that his 1955 Topps #123 rookie card stands above the rest as the clear card to own of the baseball icon. When Sandy Koufax was awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati in 1953, his plans included a career in architecture. In 1959, the Dodgers won a close pennant race against the Braves and the Giants, then beat the Chicago White Sox in the World Series. Before tenth grade, Koufax's family moved back to the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. On May 11, 1963, Sandy Koufax of the Dodgers pitched his second career no-hitter. [86][87] At the time, Willie Mays was the highest paid player in the major leagues at $125,000 (equivalent to $1.04million in 2021) per year, and multi-year contracts were extremely unusual. With Game 1 of the 1965 World Series slated to fall on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Koufax famously sat out the game in observance. [106] It not only appeared to move very late but also might move on multiple planes. He was diagnosed by Dodgers team physician Robert Kerlan with traumatic arthritis. Sandy Koufax. Major Leaguer to pitch four no-hitters, including a perfect game . University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH). He dazzled in the national spotlight when he set a World Series single-game record with 15 strikeouts in 1963, and again when he threw a perfect game to wrap up a record fourth no-hitter in 1965. Along with Randy Johnson, Pedro Martnez, and Nolan Ryan, Koufax is one of only four pitchers elected to the Hall of Fame who had more strikeouts . We will offer fans the opportunity to buy signed and unsigned items. Koufax finally gained control of his overpowering fastball and knee-buckling curveball in the early 1960s, and embarked on one of the most dominant pitching runs in baseball history. Koufax briefly held the Dodgers records for career strikeouts and shutouts until longtime teammate Don Drysdale passed him in 1968. On September 29, he became the last man to pitch for the Brooklyn Dodgers before their move to Los Angeles, throwing an inning of relief in the final game of the season. (2000). He was a left-handed pitcher. It's also available for football, basketball and hockey. [101], Koufax was the first pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards, an especially impressive feat because it was during the era when only one was given out for both major leagues. Since then, no left-hander has had more wins, nor a lower ERA; only Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton matched the 27-win mark, in 1972. Use without license or authorization is expressly prohibited. That changed to some degree in recent years as the legendary lefty has signed a little more frequently in private settings in response to . With a limited baseball background, Koufax struggled with control at first, but used his raw talent to begin regularly throwing for the Dodgers in 1958, when the team moved to Los Angeles. We will offer fans the opportunity to buy signed and unsigned items. "Either he throws the fastest ball I've ever seen, or I'm going blind, said Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. Koufax made his debut for the Dodgers in 1955. "[68] In Game 4, Koufax completed the Dodgers' series sweep with a 21 victory over Ford, clinching the Series MVP Award for his performance. Sanford Braun Age and Birth Information You must have idea about Sanford Braun age! Koufax won . Koufax agreed not to throw at all between gamesa resolution that lasted only one start. On June 13 in Milwaukee, Koufax hit the first home run of his career off Warren Spahn, providing the winning margin in a 2-1 victory in Milwaukee. [111][112], The Dodgers hired Koufax to be a minor league pitching coach in 1979. Koufax was the supreme pitcher of his generation and the greatest Jewish hurler ever, and his taking a stand occurred at baseball's centerpiece event. He was the youngest player ever elected, five months younger than Lou Gehrig upon his special election in December 1939 (which waived what was then a one-year waiting period before enshrinement). Koufax allowed only one run in seven innings, but lost the 10 game when Nellie Fox scored on a double play. [14], Koufax attended the University of Cincinnati and was a walk-on on the freshman basketball team, a complete unknown to assistant coach Ed Jucker. SUMMARY [6][7] Upon his retirement, Koufax's career ERA of 2.76 trailed only Whitey Ford among pitchers with at least 2,000 innings pitched since 1925; his .655 winning percentage ranked third among both left-handers and modern NL pitchers. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Win Expectancy, Run Expectancy, and Leverage Index calculations provided by Tom Tango of InsideTheBook.com, and co-author of The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball. On August 31 against the Giants, he set the NL single-game record and tied Bob Feller's modern major league record of 18,[42] also scoring on Wally Moon's walk-off home run for a 5-2 win. "[109][110], In 1967, Koufax signed a 10-year contract with NBC for US$1million (equivalent to $8.1million in 2021) to be a broadcaster on the Saturday Game of the Week. [1] Koufax, by retiring 27 consecutive batters without allowing any to reach base, became the sixth pitcher of the modern era, eighth overall, to throw a perfect game. [33], The year 1956 was not very different from 1955 for Koufax. When Sandy Koufax was awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati in 1953, his plans included a career in architecture. The Koufax years of 1963 to 1966 are the finest four-year stretch of pitching. "[126][127] Obama directly acknowledged the high esteem in which Koufax is held: "This is a pretty distinguished group," he said of the invited guests, which included members of the House and Senate, two justices of the Supreme Court, Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs, rabbinical scholars, "and Sandy Koufax." In 1958, he began 73, but sprained his ankle in a collision at first base, finishing the season at 1111 and leading the NL in wild pitches. In the final game of the regular season, the Dodgers had to beat the Phillies to win the pennant. Koufax was a notable player for the Dodgers together with Don Drysdale, and the two of . After a slow start, his baseball career was cut short by problems with his pitching arm. [53][54] It would be the only time in his career he earned this distinction. Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family and was raised in Borough Park. On May 23, he pitched a 1-0, one-hit shutout in Pittsburgh, allowing only a second-inning single by pitcher Bennie Daniels. [82], Koufax declined to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series in order to observe the Jewish religious holiday of Yom Kippur. Or write about sports? Koufax walked Hank Aaron on four pitches to load the bases, then struck out Bobby Thomson on a full count. https://www.biography.com/athlete/sandy-koufax. Despite his comparatively short career, his 2,396 career strikeouts ranked seventh in major league history, trailing only Warren Spahn (2,583) among left-handers; his 40 shutouts were tied for ninth in modern NL history. [128] Regardless, his decision to not pitch on Yom Kippur in 1965 was highly significant for Jewish-Americans. All rights reserved. Do you have a sports website? Now 67 years later, the two are immortalized in bronze at the entrance to Dodger Stadium. He was also named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1963, and was runner-up for the award the other two years. What I don't understand is how he lost five. [91] He started 41 games (for the second year in a row); only two left-handers have started more games in any season over the ensuing years through 2021.[92]. Sandy Koufax is a devout Jew and is known as one of the most famous Jewish players to have graced the American sports scene. There is too much to say about his man. He was selected as an All-Star for six consecutive seasons[1] and made seven out of eight possible All-Star Game appearances those seasons (he was not on the roster for the second All-Star Game in 1962). It's become the stuff of legend in American. [125], Koufax was included among a group of prominent Jewish Americans honored at a May 27, 2010, White House reception for Jewish American Heritage Month. percentage . Sanford Koufax (born Sanford Braun; December 30, 1935) is an American former baseball player. Sandy Koufax. [10] Shortly after his mother's remarriage, the family moved to the Long Island suburb of Rockville Centre. If there was any magic formula, it was getting to pitch every fourth day. Koufax declined the offer. Despite winning three of his next five with a 2.90 ERA, Koufax did not get another start for 45 days. Koufax had an older stepsister, Edith, who died in November 1997. [57], In 1963 Major League Baseball expanded the strike zone. Koufax gets Dodger Stadium statue next to Jackie Robinson. B.A. When throwing a fastball with baserunners, his hand position in the stretch would be higher than when he threw a curveball. He was the strikeouts Family (1) Spouse Kimberly Francis (1985 - 9 December 1998) (divorced) Every fourth day 's 20-year-old future Hall of Fame when he was permitted! Never been in question threw his first complete game in almost two years posted an record! As a result of worsening arthritis in his only season, the were... 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