Below is the final inning of Koufaxs lone career perfect game, delivered by Vin Scully. He has been hailed as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. In the pantheon of beloved sports broadcasters, Vin Scully stands alone. I then took Koufax's stats for his 28.62 starts and multiplied everything with 0.9085 to arrive at Koufax's final projected stats. He thanked everyone from his first pitching coach to the equipment managers on his Dodgers teams. So when he wrote his name in capital letters in the record books, that 'K' stands out even more than the O-U-F-A-X.. [18], After trying out with the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds,[19] Koufax did the same for the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. Start Your Set Today . After four weeks, Koufax gave Drysdale the go-ahead to negotiate new deals for both of them. He made 43 appearances, had 27 complete games (eight shutouts) and 382 strikeouts in 335 2/3 innings. This Date in Baseball: Sandy Koufax Throws Perfect Game AP 0:00 0:44 Sept. 9 1914 George Davis of the Boston Braves pitched a 7-0 no-hitter against the Philadelphia Phillies in the second. Koufax carried a perfect game into the eighth inning against the powerful Giants lineup, including Mays and fellow future Hall of Famers Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda. Koufax was an immediate beneficiary of the change, lowering his ERA at home from 4.29 to 1.75. He quit after six years, just prior to the start of the 1973 season. To make room for him, the Dodgers optioned their future Hall of Fame manager, Tommy Lasorda, to the Montreal Royals of the International League. Agler was referring to the decision by Sandy Koufax, the star pitcher of the Los Angeles Dodgers, to sit out Game 1 of the 1965 World Series against the Minnesota Twins because it fell on Yom Kippur. 2023 jewish telegraphic agency all rights reserved. ) He was also named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1963, and was runner-up for the award the other two years. Throughout his career, Koufax relied heavily on two pitches. [23] After seeing Koufax pitch for Lafayette, Campanis invited him to an Ebbets Field tryout. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 03:20. Nicknamed The Left Arm of God, Sandy Koufax is a four-time World Series champion (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965) and in 1972 he became the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Dodgers fought back in Games 3 and 4, with wins by Claude Osteen and Drysdale. And a crowd of 29,139 just sitting in to see the only pitcher in baseball history [at the time] to hurl four no-hit, no-run games. [15] In his only season, Koufax went 31 with a 2.81 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 30 walks in 32 innings. While playing first base for Lafayette's baseball team with his friend Fred Wilpon,[13] he was spotted by Milt Laurie, a baseball coach who was the father of two Lafayette players. Dodgers honored the 86-year-old Koufax with a statue. Below is the final inning of Koufaxs lone career perfect game, delivered by Vin Scully. Red Sox exec Chaim Bloom says hes received antisemitism over teams woes, The Jewish Sport Report: Talking Jews in baseball with ESPNs Jeff Passan, ESPNs Jeff Passan opens up on his Hebrew school upbringing, interviewing Sandy Koufax and Jewish baseball history, Catholic school soccer team that brawled with Miami Jewish school forfeits state semifinal, Connecticut College students are in revolt after presidents planned talk at Florida club with antisemitic and racist past, March comes in with a roar of new Yiddish music, Converting to Judaism has defined my high school experience, 10 months into leadership crisis, fighting has renewed over German rabbinical schools future, Albania to build museum to citizens who saved Jews during Holocaust. He resigned in 1990, saying he was not earning his keep, but most observers blamed it on his uneasy relationship with manager Tommy Lasorda. Even recently, Koufax shared some wisdom with Kershaw, who said he was struggling with his mechanics. . (39) and Jackie Robinson (42). Koufax had 11-game winning streaks in both 1964 and 1965. Koufax played his entire MLB career with the Dodgers. Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax returned to the Dodgers in January 2013 to serve as (Harry How/Getty Images). Listen to legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully's classic call of Sandy Koufax (Baseball Pitcher) - On This Day On two days rest, Koufax pitched a 6-3 complete-game victory to clinch the pennant. Koufax joined Robinson, who received the first statue in Dodger Stadium history back in 2015. This aided in his devastating curveball and may have increased his velocity, but reduced the lateral movement on his pitches, especially movement away from left-handed hitters. Obama continued: "He can't pitch on Yom Kippur. Sandy Koufax's House in Vero Beach, FL (Google Maps) Catcher Norm Sherry advised him to throw slightly less hard in order to improve his control. From 1962-66, Koufax led the National League in earned run average and shutouts . . Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Evelyn and Jack Braun. "[68] In Game 4, Koufax completed the Dodgers' series sweep with a 21 victory over Ford, clinching the Series MVP Award for his performance. 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. He held batters to 5.79 hits per nine innings, and allowed the fewest baserunners per nine innings in any season ever: 7.83, breaking his own record (set two years earlier) of 7.96. I like to say hes one of a kind., Given everything he has meant to the Dodgers organization over decades, Koufaxs statue unveiling drew a big crowd. and to strike out more than nine batters (9 .28) per nine innings . In 1965, Koufax was 26-8, with a 2.04 ERA, the only season in this four-year stretch that his ERA finished above 2.00 -- by a tick. Home is located close to parks, schools, shopping, freeway access & Fort Bliss. He posted an 1813 record and led the league with 269 strikeouts, breaking Christy Mathewson's 58-year-old NL mark of 267. Sandy Koufax's age is 87 years old as of today's date 11th February 2023 having been born on 30 December 1935. BREATHTAKING. . In June 1959, Koufax set the record for a night game with 16 strikeouts. Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley both passed away on Aug. 16. World Series Championship. Los Angeles Dodgers unveil Sandy Koufax statue outside stadium - ESPN.com For a Six-Year Span, Sandy Koufax Ruled Baseball - YouTube 11 y/o me started collecting him as soon as he got drafted. [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. [22] Dodgers scout Al Campanis heard about Koufax from Jimmy Murphy, a part-time scout. Now, 57 years after the Hall of Fame pitcher sat out a World Series. Manager Dave Roberts, third-base coach Dino Ebel, owner Mark Walter and countless others were present for Koufaxs moment. He was awarded Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award. By July, though, his entire hand was becoming numb and he was unable to complete some games. In 12 Major He won 25 or more games in three of the four seasons, winning the Cy Young Award in each of those three seasons. 1. 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 also won the Hickok Belt a second time, the first time anyone had won the belt more than once. Top right: Koufax at the 2014 BBWAA . [36] Koufax and fellow Dodgers pitcher Don Drysdale served six months in the United States Army Reserve at Fort Dix in New Jersey after the end of the 1957 season and before spring training in 1958.[37][38][39][40][41]. Dodgers unveil statue honoring Sandy Koufax: 'One of the greatest Doyel: Sandy Koufax made the Hall of Fame, but not this semi-pro team in Oldenburg, Indiana. [117] On June 4 of that year, Koufax's uniform number 32 was retired alongside those of Dodger greats Roy Campanella (39) and Jackie Robinson (42). Bearcats Legend Sandy Koufax Celebrates 86th Birthday 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. But after making adjustments prior to the 1961 season, and benefitting from the team's move into expansive Dodger Stadium a year later, Koufax quickly rose to become the most dominant pitcher in the major leagues before arthritis in his left elbow ended his playing days prematurely at age 30. Allen, who was thrown out trying to steal second, was the only Phillie to reach base that day. What Sandy Koufax, Clayton Kershaw said at statue unveiling - Los [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. Nobody today pitches 311 innings . It's on today's date in 1965 that Sandy Koufax capped an amazing World Series with a Game 7 pitching performance of such stylish fortitude that baseball fans who remember it are still in awe. Koufax agreed not to throw at all between gamesa resolution that lasted only one start. Sandy Koufax - Baseball-Reference.com Why didnt his obituaries say so? 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Police, security agencies advise Jews to be on alert ahead of planned National Day of Hate on Shabbat, The Jewish Sport Report: Your guide to Team Israel and the World Baseball Classic. Fifty years ago on October 6, at the tender age of 30, Sandy Koufax bowed out of baseball. [10] He later earned a partial scholarship. The mention of his name brought the biggest cheer at the event. A left-handed pitcher, he played his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, from 1955 to 1966. In his last 10 seasons, batters hit .203 against him with a .271 on-base percentage and a .315 slugging On June 4, 1972, Koufax's uniform No . Because of what was described as a ruptured elbow at the time, he only made 28 starts in 1964. In the second game, he pitched two scoreless innings. He threw a ridiculous 311 innings, averaging nearly eight innings per start. He chuckled and said, We had an understanding. [59] Koufax, who had reduced his walks allowed per nine innings to 3.4 in 1961 and 2.8 in 1962, reduced his walk rate further to 1.7 in 1963, which ranked fifth in the league. Los Angeles Dodgers unveil the Sandy Koufax statue in the Centerfield Plaza to honor the Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young Award winner prior to a MLB baseball game between the Cleveland . Sandy Koufax's wife Jane Purucker Clarke (Bio, Wiki) - Fabwags.com During his speech, Koufax thanked a litany of former teammates and coaches who helped him throughout his career. [99], Due to a lack of run support, Koufax's postseason won-lost record over four World Series is an unimpressive 43, but his historic 0.95 ERA and two World Series MVPs testify to how well he actually pitched. Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup to stay in the know about the latest trending topics around Major League Baseball. 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. [27] Koufax made his major league debut on June 24, 1955, against the Milwaukee Braves, with the Dodgers trailing 71 in the fifth inning. Koufax jammed his pitching arm in August while diving back to second base to beat a pick-off throw. [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. Koufax played for the Dodgers first in Brooklyn and then Los Angles, from 1955-1966, putting together a breathtaking resume that included four World Series championships, three Cy Young Award. Dodgers Unveil Sandy Koufax Statue at Dodger Stadium Posted by Ryan Gaeta. [108] Late in his career, his tendency to tip pitches became even more pronounced. The legendary voice of the Dodgers, who died Tuesday at 94, helped generations of fans fall in love with baseball, from his first season with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1950 to his final call in Los Angeles in 2016. Book details & editions. He has since worked for the Dodgers organization in a variety of capacities. On Saturday, Koufax and his famous leg kick were forever immortalized at Dodger Stadium as he became the second player to get a statue in the center-field plaza. April 24, 1962: 'Human Strikeout Machine' Sandy Koufax strikes out 18 After joining the major leagues at age 19, having never pitched a game in the minor leagues, the first half of his career was unremarkable, posting a record of just 3640 with a 4.10 earned run average (ERA); he was a member of World Series champions in both Brooklyn and Los Angeles, though he did not appear in any of the team's Series wins. [105] His four-seam fastball gave batters the impression of rising as it approached them, due to backspin.