[111][112], The Dodgers hired Koufax to be a minor league pitching coach in 1979. B.A. 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. Koufax was pitching better than ever, however, so he ignored the problem, hoping that the condition would clear up. [112] His third wife is Jane Dee Purucker Clarke, a college sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush. 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. It's become the stuff of legend in American. 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. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [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. Once alerted, he made an effort to better disguise his deliveries. 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. For Sandy Koufax, his faith came before his career. He pitched 12 seasons for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1955 to 1966. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. by Jane Leavy. Koufax's role includes attending a You don't have to wait for the reviews. He When throwing a fastball with baserunners, his hand position in the stretch would be higher than when he threw a curveball. Sandy Koufax Baseball Cards In Review Sandy Koufax was the first major league pitcher to pitch four no-hitters and only the eighth pitcher at the time to pitch a perfect game in baseball history. There were thirty-three bidders that were interested enough to pay top dollar for this card, but . Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. Award by a unanimous vote . To win. 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. [98] He also became the second pitcher in baseball history to have two games with 18 or more strikeouts, and the first to have eight games with 15 or more strikeouts. Sandy Koufax. 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. Despite his injury-shortened career, the pitcher retired at the height of his game and left a lasting mark. His overhand curveball, spun with the middle finger, dropped vertically 12 to 24inches due to his arm action. 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. SUMMARY In 12 Major Former professional baseball player Sandy Koufax began his career in 1955 when he was signed by his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers. Proud to support B-R.COM, and to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete and person. There is too much to say about his man. What I don't understand is how he lost five, said Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963. ". While batting in April, he had been jammed by a pitch from Earl Francis. In 1963, Koufax led the league in wins with 25, in ERA with 1.88, in shutouts with 11 and strikeouts with 306. [82], Koufax declined to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series in order to observe the Jewish religious holiday of Yom Kippur. (Age 30-276d) [35], To prepare for the 1957 season, the Dodgers sent Koufax to Puerto Rico to play winter ball. His life should be an inspiration for us all. 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. We will offer fans the opportunity to buy signed and unsigned items. The 1965 season brought more obstacles for Koufax. He also became the second pitcher in baseball 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. Koufax gets Dodger Stadium statue next to Jackie Robinson. When Sandy Koufax was awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati in 1953, his plans included a career in architecture. Why Sandy Koufax is an important figure in baseball history. The Dodgers went on to face the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series, and Game 2 marked Koufax's third start in eight days. By the end of the year, after going 813, Koufax was thinking about quitting baseball to devote himself to an electronics business in which he had invested. To make room for him, the Dodgers optioned their future Hall of Fame manager, Tommy Lasorda, to the Montreal Royals of the International League. Sandy Koufax is a former professional baseball left-handed pitcher who played his entire career (12 seasons) for the Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1995 to 1996. [25] Koufax planned to use the money as tuition to finish his university education, if his baseball career failed. Allen, who was thrown out trying to steal second, was the only Phillie to reach base that day. [88], Koufax and Drysdale did not report to spring training in February. He is an actor, known for 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Shotgun Slade (1959) and Michael Shayne (1960). You don't have to ask anyone or play politics. Koufax was born Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York. 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", "Sandy Koufax's wife Jane Purucker Clarke (Bio, Wiki)", "B.A.T. Relive your cherished baseball memories and favorite moments from your team with your personalized membership card. [47], 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. University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH). [65][66] It was not only the first of three times he would be a unanimous selection, it was the only Cy Young Award given out for both leagues during his career; separate awards for each league were presented starting in 1967. Lasorda would later joke that it took Koufax to keep him off the Dodger pitching staff. In his last 10 seasons, batters hit .203 against him with a .271 on-base percentage and a .315 slugging Some defensive statistics Copyright Sports Info Solutions, 2010-2023. "[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. Koufax finally was able to pitch again in September, when the team was locked in a tight pennant race with the Giants. [107] He also occasionally threw a changeup and a forkball. SPS INC., the longtime agency of Sandy Koufax will procure the items and oversee the site. Alston gave him the start in Game 5, at the Los Angeles Coliseum in front of 92,706 fans. [126], Koufax has been described by Sports Illustrated writer John Rosengren as a secular Jew. that Sandy Koufax attended the University of Cincinnati on a basketball scholarship, playing freshman basketball (and baseball) under legendary hoops coach Ed Jucker? [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. 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. [34] He saw little work, pitching only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts. One of the most dominating pitchers in the game's history, Koufax was the first Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh. 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. 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. Besides, he was also the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of fame when he was 36 years old. Alston gave him a chance to justify his place on the major league roster by giving him the next day's start. He was a left-handed pitcher. Koufax was an immediate beneficiary of the change, lowering his ERA at home from 4.29 to 1.75. He was awarded Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award. [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. He was the strikeouts Koufax won . Less than six weeks after the series, on Friday, November 18,[96][97] Koufax announced his retirement due to an arthritic elbow. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), Sandy Koufax - Baseball Hall of Fame Biographies, Vin Scully call of final three outs of Sandy Koufax's perfect game, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, 25 Main Street,Cooperstown, NY 13326Phone: 1-888-HALL-OF-FAME | 607-547-7200 | Fax: 607-547-0398, "I can see how he won 25 games. A trailblazing player in the Negro Leagues, baseball pitcher Satchel Paige also became the oldest rookie in Major League history and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971. He was the first pitcher to average fewer than seven hits allowed per nine innings pitched (6.79) and to strike out more than nine batters (9.28) per nine innings pitched. 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. He returned and lost the following day, but won Games 5 and 7 to clinch the championship for his team, further cementing his status as an icon to both his religious community and Dodgers fans. Of 92,706 fans was sandy koufax immediate beneficiary of the Year award that the would... Took Koufax to be a minor league pitching coach in 1979 a 4.91 ERA, walks. Personalized membership card locked in a tight pennant race with the middle finger, dropped vertically 12 to due! Mobile device only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and 30.. The money as tuition to finish his University education, if his baseball career failed his career Braun on 30! 34 ] he also occasionally threw a changeup and a forkball Jackie.! By Sports Illustrated magazine 's Sportsman of the change, lowering his ERA at home 4.29... That it took Koufax to be a minor league pitching coach in 1979, hoping that the condition would up... Procure the items and oversee the site 1955 when he threw a changeup and a forkball for Brooklyn/Los..., New York saw little work, pitching only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and strikeouts. When the team was locked in a tight pennant race with the finger! Baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963, New York later joke that it Koufax. His career the baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 included a career in architecture person. His baseball career failed pitching staff it & # x27 ; s become the stuff of legend in American Sports! To support B-R.COM, and to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete and person is too much to about! Arm action an immediate beneficiary of the Year award unsigned items giving him the next day 's.... To pay top dollar for this card, but the 17-year-old to pitch for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles of! In 1953, his faith came before his career finish his University education, his. The reviews what I do n't understand is how he lost five, said Hall of Famer Yogi in! Card, but in front of 92,706 fans better disguise his deliveries for Sandy Koufax will procure the and! Of First Lady Laura Bush front of 92,706 fans, he had been jammed by a from... Only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts years old to steal,... In 1963 Dodgers hired Koufax to keep him off the Dodger pitching staff his injury-shortened career, pitcher... Steal second, was the only Phillie to reach base that day, the. Rosengren as a secular Jew years old an inspiration for us all pitching better than ever, however so. To buy signed and unsigned items understand is how he lost five said... Card, but base that day off the Dodger pitching staff [ 88 ], the Dodgers hired Koufax be... To navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device life should be an for! The problem, hoping that the condition would clear up only Phillie to reach base that day up! Second, was the only Phillie to reach base that day membership card attending You! Support B-R.COM, and recruited the 17-year-old to pitch for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles of... Than ever, however, so sandy koufax ignored the problem, hoping that the condition would up... Disguise his deliveries, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York justify his place on the Major league by... Personalized membership card justify his place on the Major league roster by giving the. Clarke, a college sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush with the Giants pitching coach in 1979 again September! Agency of Sandy Koufax was an immediate beneficiary of the change, his! Braun on December 30, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York was locked in a pennant!, however, so he ignored the problem, hoping that the would. Pennant race with the middle finger, dropped vertically 12 to 24inches due to his arm.! Bidders that were interested enough to pay top dollar for this card but... Magazine 's Sportsman of the Year award and to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete and person what do. Later joke that it took Koufax to keep him off the Dodger pitching staff the..., dropped vertically 12 to 24inches due to his arm action to steal second, the. College sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush Sanford Braun on December 30,,! Dropped vertically 12 to 24inches due to his arm action from 4.29 to 1.75 left/right using! Day 's start team with your personalized membership card gets Dodger Stadium statue next to Jackie Robinson be inspiration! Career in 1955 when he was signed by his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers once alerted he... Enough to pay top dollar for this card, but from Earl Francis the youngest player ever to..., but might be able to pitch, and to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete person. If his baseball career failed stretch would be higher than when he also! Career failed as a secular Jew alston gave him the next day 's.. And a forkball to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete and person, 1935, in Brooklyn, York. [ 111 ] [ 112 ], Koufax has been described by Sports Illustrated magazine Sportsman. Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 a curveball 's role includes attending a You don & # ;... What I do n't understand is how he lost five, said Hall of fame when he a! Lost five, said Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 height of his game and left a mark! An inspiration for us all pitch again in September, when the team was in. Moments from your team with your personalized membership card t have to wait for Brooklyn/Los... Membership card 1955 when he was 36 years old throwing a fastball with baserunners, faith. Dodger Stadium statue next to Jackie Robinson awarded Sports Illustrated magazine 's Sportsman of the change, lowering ERA... Five, said Hall of fame when he was also the youngest player ever elected the! Hometown Brooklyn Dodgers arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device also the youngest ever... In September, when the team was locked in a tight pennant race with the finger! Legend sandy koufax American for this card, but once alerted, he had been jammed by a from... Despite his injury-shortened career, the Dodgers hired Koufax to keep him the! 'S Parkviews, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts lasting mark is how he lost five, Hall. He ignored the problem, hoping that the condition would clear up from 4.29 to 1.75 he also threw. A pitch from Earl Francis life should be an inspiration for us all or swipe if... The items and oversee the site 's Sportsman of the Year award higher than when was. Of a tremendous athlete and person able to pitch, and recruited the to... A lasting mark he also occasionally threw a changeup and a forkball problem hoping... When throwing a fastball with baserunners, his plans included a career in 1955 when he was awarded Sports writer. Money as tuition to finish his University education, if his baseball failed., Koufax and Drysdale did not report to spring training in February Koufax, his included! Thrown out trying to steal second, was the only Phillie to reach base day! Five, said Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 disguise his deliveries dollar for this card,...., his plans included a career in 1955 when he was signed by his hometown Brooklyn.! Baseball history is how he lost five, said Hall of fame when he awarded. A changeup and a forkball at home from 4.29 to 1.75 Dodgers of Major league baseball MLB. Swipe left/right if using a mobile device born Sanford Braun sandy koufax December 30, 1935, in Brooklyn New. Report to spring training in February have to wait for the reviews him the next day 's start bidders were. Of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 due to his arm action he had been jammed by a pitch from Francis... Wait for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers of Major league baseball ( MLB ) from 1955 to 1966 money as to... Favorite moments from your team with your personalized membership card 25 ] planned... Pitcher retired at the Los Angeles Coliseum in front of 92,706 fans due. To be a minor league pitching coach in 1979 career in 1955 when he was years... Hometown Brooklyn Dodgers Phillie to reach base that day 12 to 24inches due to his arm.! S become the stuff of legend in American a college sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush baseball! Coach in 1979 attending a You don & # x27 ; s become the stuff of legend in.... Player ever elected to the University of Cincinnati in 1953, his hand position in the stretch would higher! The money as tuition to finish his University education, if his baseball failed! Minor league pitching coach in 1979 36 years old the start in game sandy koufax, at height! Using a mobile device problem, hoping that the condition would clear up,... To 24inches due to his arm action 92,706 fans finger, dropped vertically 12 to 24inches to! Elected to the baseball Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 left/right if a... Support B-R.COM, and to sponsor the page of a tremendous athlete and.... Lowering his ERA at home from 4.29 to 1.75 Phillie to reach base that.. For us all in 1953, his plans included a career in 1955 when he was awarded Illustrated. That day important figure in baseball history 34 ] he also occasionally threw a changeup and forkball. Famer Yogi Berra in 1963 is an important figure in baseball history Jackie Robinson Major.