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. Scores from any date in Major League history, Minor, Foreign, College, & Black Baseball, Frequently Asked Questions about MLB and Baseball. This Month in Sports ReferenceFind out when we add a feature or make a change. The future baseball great took on his more familiar surname at age 9 when his mother, Evelyn, remarried attorney Irving Koufax. Koufax played 12 years at the MLB level, all with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers. [61] From July 3 to July 16, he pitched 33 consecutive scoreless innings, pitching three shutouts to lower his ERA to 1.65. He resigned in 1990, saying he was not earning his keep, but most observers blamed it on his uneasy relationship with manager Tommy Lasorda. (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. 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. HarperCollins. 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. 1963 Fleer Sandy Koufax. Why Sandy Koufax is an important figure in baseball history. [115], Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, 1972, just weeks after his 36th birthday. University of Cincinnati (Cincinnati, OH). With Dodgers manager Walter Alston and scouting director Fresco Thompson watching, Campanis assumed the hitter's stance while Koufax started throwing. [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]. 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. Represent the all-time greats and know your purchase plays a part in preserving baseball history. In 1959, Koufax struck out 18 Giants in nine innings and set a major league record for strikeouts in two games with 31. 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. percentage . https://www.biography.com/athlete/sandy-koufax. vs. PHI 9.0 IP, 7 H, 10 SO, 1 BB, 2 ER, W. Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1972. 2023 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. He was also named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1963, and was runner-up for the award the other two years. Catcher Norm Sherry advised him to throw slightly less hard in order to improve his control. Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. "It's been 41 years between starts for him. October 2, 1966 Koufax walked Hank Aaron on four pitches to load the bases, then struck out Bobby Thomson on a full count. The new park had a large foul territory and a comparatively poor hitting background. Few individuals knew it at the time, but on Oct. 6, 1966, Sandy Koufax started the final game of his career. Sandy Koufax 1955 Topps. The real name of this Former baseball player is Sanford Braun. Returning to Chicago, the Dodgers won Game 6 and the Series. vs. MLN 2.0 IP, 1 H, 2 SO, 1 BB, 0 ER, Last Game: We will offer fans the opportunity to buy signed and unsigned items. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 11 January 2023, at 01:19. Sandy Koufax struck out eighteen players twice during his career, once during the 1959 season and once during . [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. Jackie Robinson, in his final season, clashed with Alston on Koufax's usage. Sandy Koufax retired at 30-years-old because of chronic arthritis in his throwing elbow. Nothing else matters, and nothing else will do." Sandy Koufax I can't picture people talking about me 50 years from now. 2020 Topps Stadium Club #290 Sandy Koufax Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Card. 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. 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. The need to create the site and offer real products is long overdue. 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. 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. [118] In 2022, a statue of Koufax was unveiled at Dodger Stadium. 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 . [30] He did not start again for almost two months, but on August 27, Koufax threw a two-hit, 70 complete game shutout against the Cincinnati Reds for his first major league win. Instead, both signed to appear in the movie Warning Shot, starring David Janssen. In the first inning, Koufax walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. His no-hitter, along with a 42 record, 73 strikeouts and a 1.23 ERA, earned him the Player of the Month Award for June. Koufax became the youngest player inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, and has since served as a pitching instructor for his former team. "[24] The Dodgers signed Koufax for a $6,000 ($61,000 today) salary, with a $14,000 ($141,000 today) signing bonus. Koufax was the first major league pitcher to hurl four no-hitters, and in 1965 became the eighth pitcher and the first left-hander since 1880 to pitch a perfect game. Arrives before Christmas Only 16 left in stock - order soon. Sandy Koufax 24 X 18 X 1.5 Inch Premium Canvas Framed Art Print Artwork Signed By Artist To Stars, WINFORD WRealArt (280) $199.95 1965 SANDY KOUFAX No-Hitter #4 Photo Print - Vintage Baseball Poster, Rare Baseball Card, Baseball Card Collector, Baseball Card Art DingerStudios (979) $32.00 FREE shipping [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. Koufax agreed not to throw at all between gamesa resolution that lasted only one start. 32 was retired alongside those of fellow Dodger greats Roy Campanella (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum), One of the most dominant left-handed pitchers of his time, Sandy Koufax captured the earned-run title five years in a row (1962-1966). shutouts . Allen, who was thrown out trying to steal second, was the only Phillie to reach base that day. Sabermetrician Rob Neyer called it the best curve of all time. In. Koufax was the first pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards, as well as the first pitcher to win a Cy Young The problem is not to figure out why Sandy Koufax was a great pitcher. Sandy Koufax was born as Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935. He was one of six pitchers who's fastball velocities were measured. [35], To prepare for the 1957 season, the Dodgers sent Koufax to Puerto Rico to play winter ball. Instead, the Dodgers were swept in four games, not scoring a single run in the last three. "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. [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. 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. 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. Kerlan also told Koufax that he would eventually lose full use of his arm. 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. [122] He was the final player chosen in the inaugural Israel Baseball League draft in April 2007, picked, at 71 years old, by the Modi'in Miracle. 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. [52] On April 24, he tied his own record with 18 strikeouts in a 10-2 road win over the Cubs. I can see how he won 25 games. [62] He threw 11 shutouts, eclipsing Carl Hubbell's 30-year post-1900 mark for a left-handed pitcher of 10 and setting a record that stands to this day. Willie Mays said, "I knew every pitch he was going to throw fastball, breaking ball or whatever. Koufax had an older stepsister, Edith, who died in November 1997. He has been hailed as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. After playing in only 12 seasons, Koufax became the youngest player inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. A numbness developed in the index finger on his left hand, and the finger became cold and white. 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). But he could also throw a baseball really, really hard. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. [105] His four-seam fastball gave batters the impression of rising as it approached them, due to backspin. [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]. [95] In his three World Series losses, all starts, spread over three different Series, Koufax gave up a total of three earned runs; the Dodgers scored a total of one run in support in all three. [112] His third wife is Jane Dee Purucker Clarke, a college sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush. 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. Koufax's role includes attending a portion of Spring Training to work with Dodger pitchers and consulting with the team throughout the year . Former professional baseball player Sandy Koufax began his career in 1955 when he was signed by his hometown Brooklyn Dodgers. Sandy Koufax Many consider Sandy Koufax (born 1945) to be one of the best left-handed pitchers of all time. 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 sport's greatest pitchers. Eddie Mathews bunted, and Koufax threw the ball into center field. [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. [119], In 1999, The Sporting News placed Koufax at number 26 on its list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players". Sandy Koufax is a famous American baseball player who played 12 seasons with LA Dodgers in MLB from the year 1955 to 1966. The game has a cleanness. The name of his home town is Brooklyn, New York. [46], A day later, Koufax was pitching for the "B team" in Orlando. [27], Koufax made his major league debut on June 24, 1955, against the Milwaukee Braves, with the Dodgers trailing 71 in the fifth inning. Michael Jordan is a former American basketball player who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA championships and won the Most Valuable Player Award five times. Koufax's numbers were that of a struggling lefty trying to find his way. 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 During welcome remarks in a reminiscence of Koufax's decision not to play on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, President Barack Obama said that the two had "something in common." An outstanding schoolboy athlete, Koufax starred at basketball and barely played baseball during his time at Lafayette High School. Sandy Koufax pitched the game of his life in his final regular-season performance. However, due to changes in Hall practices, the 1972 induction ceremony was nearly eight months after the election, leaving Koufax slightly older than Gehrig, who had no formal induction ceremony, at the time of his induction. Become a Stathead & surf this site ad-free. Smilin' Sandy is back and better yet, they are very easy to pick up online for a pretty reasonable price. [57], In 1963 Major League Baseball expanded the strike zone. Koufax had to call it a career after the 1966 season as a result of worsening arthritis in his throwing arm. Despite winning three of his next five with a 2.90 ERA, Koufax did not get another start for 45 days. Ten days of experimental medicine successfully reopened the artery. Sandy Koufax has a net worth of $10 million and earns $167,000 per year, according to the website Celebrity Net Worth. consecutive All-Star Games from 1961-66 . 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. 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. Who Is Sandy Koufax? From 1962 to 1966, he recorded 111 wins against only 34 losses, led the National League in ERA five times, set a single-season record with 382 strikeouts, and won three Cy Young Awards and one Most Valuable Player trophy. 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. Pitching is the art of instilling fear. Sanford Braun Age and Birth Information You must have idea about Sanford Braun age! [130], Koufax married Anne Widmark, the daughter of actor Richard Widmark, in 1969; they divorced in 1982. Koufax's role includes attending a Despite his string of amazing performances, Koufax pitched in pain throughout the 1965-1966 campaigns due to arthritis in his left elbow. In a start in Cincinnati his finger split open after one inning. After winning the second game of the series, the Dodgers blew a 42 lead in the ninth inning of the deciding third game, losing the pennant. He was the greatest pitcher of his time in baseball, said writer Jimmy Cannon. He also became the second pitcher in baseball Pietrusza, David; Silverman, Matthew & Gershman, Michael, ed. Koufax jammed his pitching arm in August while diving back to second base to beat a pick-off throw. [60], On May 11 Koufax no-hit the Giants 80, besting Marichalhimself a no-hit pitcher on June 15. Actually, he would let you look at it. And you still couldn't hit it. 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. Koufax ended up getting $125,000 and Drysdale $110,000 (equivalent to $0.92million in 2021). Less than six weeks after the series, on Friday, November 18,[96][97] Koufax announced his retirement due to an arthritic elbow. "[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. Starting Game 7 on just two days of rest, Koufax pitched through fatigue and arthritic pain. He is an actor, known for 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Shotgun Slade (1959) and Michael Shayne (1960). [23] After seeing Koufax pitch for Lafayette, Campanis invited him to an Ebbets Field tryout. He started out as a left-handed catcher before moving to first base. [15] In his only season, Koufax went 31 with a 2.81 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 30 walks in 32 innings. Koufax was the MVP and Cy Young Award winner in 1963 and also won Cy Young Awards in 1965 and '66 . Koufax was an immediate beneficiary of the change, lowering his ERA at home from 4.29 to 1.75. and to strike out more than nine batters (9 .28) per nine innings . "[68] In Game 4, Koufax completed the Dodgers' series sweep with a 21 victory over Ford, clinching the Series MVP Award for his performance. The problem is to figure out why he was Sandy Koufax the stuff of myth, the Achilles of Dodger Stadium, the pitcher who from 1963 to 1966 redefined baseball, the Jewish Phenomenon, the most . 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. 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. I can't pitch. Koufax won . Despite the blazing speed of his fastball, Koufax continued to struggle with his control. 304 pp. [126], Koufax has been described by Sports Illustrated writer John Rosengren as a secular Jew. 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