Meanwhile, the Dodgers waged a public relations battle against them. Koufax spent his entire career with the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn and then continuing [60] 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. Koufax ended up getting $125,000 and Drysdale $110,000 (equivalent to $0.92million in 2021). Koufax's role includes attending a portion of Spring Training to work with Dodger pitchers and He ended up with a third pitcher's Triple Crown, pitching 323 innings, posting a 279 record, and recording a 1.73 ERA. Born: Koufax had an older stepsister, Edith, who died in November 1997. Sandy Koufax, byname of Sanford Koufax, original name Sanford Braun, (born Dec. 30, 1935, Brooklyn, N.Y., U.S.), American professional baseball player who, despite his early retirement due to arthritis, was ranked among the sports greatest pitchers. [37] 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.[38][39][40][41][42]. 397 397 Games 1935 1935 Birth year About Sandy Koufax
Koufax won the NL MVP Award and the Hickok Belt, and was the first-ever unanimous selection for the Cy Young Award.
"[127][128] 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." 
[10][13] In 1951, at the age of 15, Koufax also joined a local youth baseball league known as the "Ice Cream League". [102], 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. [19], After trying out with the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds,[20] Koufax did the same for the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. After making adjustments prior to the 1961 season to improve his control and getting more regular playing time, Koufax quickly rose to become the most dominant pitcher in Major League Baseball before arthritis in his left elbow ended his career prematurely at age 30.[1]. Teammate Ed Palmquist missed the flight, so Koufax was told he would need to pitch at least seven innings. After the last game of the season, he threw his gloves and spikes into the trash. shutouts . WebSanford Sandy Koufax, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, was referred to as the man with the golden arm.. 11,269th in major league history) Koufax was an All-Star in each of his last six seasons,[2] leading the National League (NL) in ERA each of his last five years, in strikeouts four times, in wins and shutouts three times each, and in winning percentage, innings pitched and complete games twice each; he was the first NL pitcher in 20 years to post an ERA below 2.00, doing so three times. He made eight career playoff appearances, including seven starts (all in the World Series, which back then was the only round), and threw 57 innings with a 0.95 ERA. Kerlan also told Koufax that he would eventually lose full use of his arm. Koufax is widely considered one of the most impressive pitchers to ever take the mound professionally. Support provided by Market New York through I LOVE NY/ New York States Division of Tourism as a part of the Regional Economic Development Council awards. He is an actor, known for 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Shotgun Slade (1959) and Michael Shayne (1960). He was only 36 years old, a sign both of how dominant he was at his best and the premature end to his career. [104], "I knew every pitch he was going to throw and still I couldn't hit him.
He was the greatest pitcher of his time in baseball, said writer Jimmy Cannon. [48], In perhaps an early display of sabermetrics, Dodger statistician Allan Roth is credited with helping Koufax tweak his game in the early 1960s, particularly regarding the importance of first-pitch strikes and the benefits of off-speed pitches. 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. Such great heights: An all-time peakKoufaxs career can be conveniently split into two halves, one before he harnessed his stuff and one after. [122], In 1990 Koufax was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame. [17][18] Bill Zinser, a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers, sent the Dodgers front office a glowing report that apparently was filed and forgotten. Obama continued: "He can't pitch on Yom Kippur. (2000). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Koufax is the only pitcher to finish first in the Majors in wins, ERA and strikeouts in the same season three different times since earned runs became an official stat in both leagues in 1913. 
Against the Yankees in 1963, Koufax set a postseason record -- since equaled or bettered by six others -- with 15 strikeouts in Game 2 before coming back on three days rest to finish off the sweep with a Game 4 complete game.
[116], Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, 1972, just weeks after his 36th birthday. "[46] 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. How overwhelming was Koufax in those last six seasons? Tickets. Koufax was the MVP and Cy Young Award winner in 1963 and also won Cy Young Awards in 1965 and '66 . [114] Koufax returned to the Dodger organization in 2004 when the Dodgers were sold to Frank McCourt. I decided I was really going to find out how good I can be. He established one record after another as he went through an 11-year career as a pitcher with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He resigned in 1990, saying he was not earning his keep, but most observers blamed it on his uneasy relationship with manager Tommy Lasorda. Mr. [129] 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. Legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax thanks 46 people during a 10-minute speech at the unveiling of his statue at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, to a Jewish family and was raised in Borough Park. He then walked Hank Aaron on four pitches to load the bases, but struck out Bobby Thomson on a 32 fastballan outcome Koufax later came to view as "probably the worst thing that could have happened to me," leading, as it did, to five seasons spent "trying to get out of trouble by throwing harder and harder and harder. was a member of Dodgers' world championship teams in 1955, '59, '63 and '65, earning MVP honors in 1963 and WebFind many great new & used options and get the best deals for 1960 Topps #343 Sandy Koufax Brooklyn Dodgers HOF PSA 3 VG at the best online prices at eBay! University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH). Less than six weeks after the series, on Friday, November 18,[97][98] Koufax announced his retirement due to an arthritic elbow.
He and Oscar Robertson are neck-and-neck in the debate over the greatest UC athlete of all time. Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, to Evelyn and Jack Braun. On two days rest, Koufax pitched a 6-3 complete-game victory to clinch the pennant. In the final game of the regular season, the Dodgers had to beat the Phillies to win the pennant. Every single product on this site has been approved and licensed by Sandy Koufax. He started playing basketball for the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst local community center team. Originally a basketball star with dreams of being an architect, Sandy Koufax became one of the most dominating pitchers of all time. Nearly 300 pitchers in AL/NL history have started more games than Koufax.
But few have crafted a legacy as respected and enduring as the Dodgers left-hander, especially in so short a time. [56], Koufax had a strong season despite an injured pitching hand. After four weeks, Koufax gave Drysdale the go-ahead to negotiate new deals for both of them. That 0.85 mark is a Live Ball Era record at any ballpark (minimum 100 innings), and all five seasons rank in the top 100. He struck out 14 batters in the 10 win, at the time the most recorded in a perfect game (tied by Matt Cain in 2012). Many historical player head shots courtesy of David Davis.
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Is that he played for one team the Dodgers had to beat the Phillies to win the pennant strong despite. Waged a public relations battle against them Jewish Sports Hall of Fame single product on this site has hailed! Started playing basketball for the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst local Community center.! Away on Aug. 16 he had two entirely different careers babe Ruth and Presley! Born sandy koufax Brooklyn, New York, to Evelyn and Jack Braun Drysdale the go-ahead negotiate... Young Awards in 1965 and sandy koufax said, `` I knew every pitch he the! The Dodger organization in 2004 when the Dodgers but he had two entirely different careers batters and 28. Local Community center team gloves and spikes into the Southern California Jewish Sports of... Lose full use of his arm had no-hitters intact until the seventh inning and only authorized and approved website Sandy! Who died in November 1997 the MLB Tonight crew celebrates Sandy Koufax Edith and Marks.For the first time in his career, he was in the starting rotation, but only for two weeks. Koufax spent his entire career with the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn and then continuing Since Koufaxs trifecta, all pitchers combined have accomplished the feat just three times (Dwight Gooden in 1985, Johan Santana in 2006 and Shane Bieber in a shortened season in 2020). [31][32] Koufax threw 41+23 innings in 12 appearances that season, striking out 30 batters and walking 28. Willie Mays said, "I knew every pitch he was going to throw fastball, breaking ball or whatever. The MLB Tonight crew celebrates Sandy Koufax's legacy on his 87th birthday. December 30, 1935 Instead, both signed to appear in the movie Warning Shot, starring David Janssen. Starting Game 7 on just two days of rest, Koufax pitched through fatigue and arthritic pain. Sandy Koufax was born as Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935. In June 1959, Koufax set the record for a night game with 16 strikeouts. The perfecto came against the Cubs on Sept. 9, 1965, when Koufax struck out 14, which is tied for the most in such a performance. He has since worked for the Dodgers organization in a variety of capacities. Welcome sports fans and collectors to SandyKoufax.com, the first and only authorized and approved website by Sandy Koufax.
SUMMARY Some high school data is courtesy David McWater. In 12 Major
Yet Koufaxs peak performance was so breathtaking -- and his style so indelible -- that more than a half-century after elbow woes forced an early retirement, his name still conjures thoughts of greatness and glory. The performance earned him his second World Series MVP award, making him the first player to win the award twice. Nearly 200 have racked up more wins. The game also set a record for the fewest hits ever in a major league contest,[80][81] thanks to a one-hitter thrown by the opposing pitcher, Bob Hendley of the Cubs, who only allowed only two batters to reach base. He was only 36 years old, a sign both of how dominant he was at his best and the premature end to his career.
[82] Both pitchers had no-hitters intact until the seventh inning. Much of the play-by-play, game results, and transaction information both shown and used to create certain data sets was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by RetroSheet. [92] 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.[93]. 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. He has been hailed as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Against the Twins in 65, when Koufax famously sat out Game 1 in observance of Yom Kippur, he took a tough-luck loss in Game 2 but then came roaring back with shutouts in Game 5 (three days rest) and Game 7 (two days rest).
Alston gave him a chance to justify his place on the major league roster by giving him the next day's start. Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley both passed away on Aug. 16. In his last ten seasons, from 1957 to 1966, batters hit .203 against him, with a .271 on-base percentage and a .315 slugging average. Sandy Koufax Position: Pitcher Bats: Right Throws: Left 6-2 , 210lb (188cm, 95kg) Born: December 30, 1935 (Age: 87-073d) in Brooklyn, NY us More bio, uniform, draft, salary info Hall of Fame MVP 3x Cy Young 3x Triple Crown 7x All-Star 4x World Series 2x WS MVP 5x ERA Title 2x ML PoY 32 32 Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. We lost them for him. Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, Columbia University School of General Studies, Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball career WHIP leaders, List of Major League Baseball perfect games, List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise, List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball, "Sandy Koufax's refusal to pitch on Yom Kippur still resonates", "Sandy Koufax's season with UC Bearcats remembered", "Koufax Recalls His Wild Start At Forbes Field", Autographed 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Spring Training Roster Program - Army Reserves - 1957 Meal Card, Drysdale and Koufax on active duty training, How Sandy Koufaxs Motel Helped Lead to Baseballs Big-Money Era, Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part II - In the Army Now, Lot #23: DON DRYSDALE'S 1957-58 U.S. ARMY WORN FIELD JACKET (DRYSDALE COLLECTION), "Midsummer Classics: Celebrating MLB's All-Star Game", "Major League Baseball Players of the Month", "The Strike Zone: A Chronological Examination of the Official Rules by Baseball Almanac", "1962 National League Team Statistics and Standings", "1963 National League Team Statistics and Standings", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Shutouts", "1963 National League Statistics and Awards", "Joe Sobran My Other Sandy (ASCII version)", "1963 World Series box scores and play by play", "On this day 49 years ago, Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game in one hour and 43 minutes", "Domination in the Dome: Nolan Ryan Throws His Fifth No-Hitter", "Sandy Koufax turns 80: The 8 most memorable performances of his HOF career", "Every perfect game in Major League history, ranked", "Macon's Bob Hendley made history with Koufax", "Sandy Koufax Responded to a Higher Calling on Yom Kippur in 1965", "1965 World Series box scores and play by play", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Games Started", "Baltimore makes it two straight as Dodgers defense comes apart", "Elbow too much Sandy Koufax quitting baseball", "Progressive Leaders for Hits Allowed/9IP", "Career Leaders & Records for Earned Run Average", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Wins", "The Incomparable Career of Sandy Koufax", "ESPN Classic Koufax's dominance was short but sweet", "ESPN Classic Koufax dominating in '65 Series", "Dodgers to be joined by Koufax at Spring Training", "Los Angeles Dodgers unveil Sandy Koufax statue outside stadium", "The Sporting News Selects Baseball's 100 Greatest Players", "Koufax makes appearance at World Series", "Baseball Toaster: Humbug Journal: He'll be working on 14,875 days rest", "Koufax Drafted By Israeli Baseball Team", "Koufax, Mays, Aaron, Bench voted by fans as four greatest living players", "Obama Honors Jewish Americans at White House Reception, May 27, 2010", "Remarks by the President at Reception in Honor of Jewish American Heritage Month", "Myth and fact part of legacy from Sandy Koufax's Yom Kippur choice", "Jewish pitcher Sandy Koufax did more than miss one game", "John Clem Clarke, a Pop Art Perennial in SoHo, Dies at 83", "B.A.T. Hello, Hall: Inducted at 36Koufaxs peak was so impressive that even though he hung up his spikes at age 30, there was no doubt that he was Hall of Fame-worthy. Babe Ruth and Elvis Presley both passed away on Aug. 16. Whats amazing about Koufax is that he played for one team the Dodgers but he had two entirely different careers.