Kids in the Hall
Terrific Dutchman Mick Splinter
Bobby Frank Dizzy Kirby
Mel Roberto Mr. Cub Hammer
Say Hey Hack Spoke Mike
Ryno Earl Cakes Clipper
Big Six Rollie Peerless Joe
Cal Tony Rapid Iron Horse
Mountain Mullet Wade Rube
Mechanical Yaz Wizard Stretch
3-Fingers Maz Lefty Robin
Chairman Raja Josh Edd
Whitey Scooter Pudge Don
Catfish Martin Duke Killer
Baby Bull Larry Larry King
Yogi Pete Mr. October Jackie
Kid Earl Silver Fox Ed
A deeply devoted man, Koufax opted to observe the holiest Jewish holiday, Yom Kippur, instead of starting the first game of the 1965 World Series. His move was fully endorsed by the Dodgers. In his book, "Alston and the Dodgers," the Dodger skipper wrote: "Even before the Series began, I was being questioned about the effect, if any, on the team, if Sandy insisted on not pitching, but I considered this was strictly his business and this was understood by all the Dodger family. You have to give Mr. O'Malley credit, too. The big boss asserted himself promptly when the question was put to him. 'I wouldn't let Sandy pitch on his Day of Atonement if he wanted to,' Mr. O'Malley said, and that ended that." Drysdale started in his place. Koufax was praised by religious leaders for putting his beliefs first and baseball second.
Koufax was the last pitcher on the mound for the Brooklyn Dodgers, as he made a relief appearance in the eighth inning in Philadelphia, allowing two walks and one strikeout to close out the historic chapter in team history in 1957. He was also last on the mound in the final baseball game played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 20, 1961, as the Dodgers defeated the Chicago Cubs, 3-2, in 13 innings behind Ron Fairly's base hit. Koufax pitched a complete game, struck out 15 and made 205 pitches, as he picked up his 18th win of the season.
On June 30, 1962, against the New York Mets, Koufax
threw his first no-hitter, and would finish his career with a
then-record four no-hitters. In the first inning of that 5-0
win over the Mets, Koufax struck out three batters on nine
pitches to become the sixth National League pitcher and
the 11th pitcher in Major League history to accomplish the
nine-strike/three-strikeout half-inning, as well as the first
and only pitcher to accomplish the feat in the first inning
of a game. On April 18, 1964, he did it again in the third
inning of a 3-0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the
first and only pitcher to accomplish the nine-strike/three-
strikeout half-inning twice in the National League.
Koufax threw no-hitters in each season from 1962-65, capping it
with a 1-0 perfect game on September 9, 1965, against the
Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium. That game is considered one of
baseball's all-time best as opposing pitcher Bob Hendley
surrendered only one hit to the Dodgers. To date, Koufax's
perfect game is the last no-hitter to be pitched against the Cubs.
They have gone the longest of all MLB teams since a no-hitter
was last pitched against them.
In 1965, he won the Hickok (Professional Athlete of the Year Award) Belt (established in 1950 and discontinued after 1976) a second time, the first and only time anyone had won the belt more than once. He was also awarded Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award.
Sandy won the Cy Young Award 3 times (1963, 1965, 1966). All 3 times he was unanimously selected. Making this achievement more impressive is the fact that there was only one award given out to both leagues until 1967.
"Sandy's fastball was so fast, some batters would start to swing as he was on his way to the mound." - Jim Murray
"We need just two players to be a contender. Just Babe Ruth and Sandy Koufax." - Whitey Herzog
"Career highlights? I had two. I got an intentional walk from Sandy Koufax and I got out of a rundown against the Mets." -
Bob Uecker
"My greatest thrill in baseball? When Sandy Koufax retired." - Willie Stargell
"Trying to hit him was like trying to drink coffee with a fork." - Willie Stargell
"I can understand how he won 25. What I can't understand is how he lost five." - Yogi Berra, after the 1963 World Series.
"He didn't. We lost them for him." - Maury Wills, Dodgers shortstop, told of Berra's comment.
"A guy that throws what he intends to throw, that's the definition of a good pitcher." - Sandy Koufax
In his first 7 seasons, Koufax was just 54-53, 36-40 after his first six major league campaigns.
In 1965, Sandy won his second Cy Young Award, as he went 26-8 and set the major league record by striking out 382 in a season (Nolan Ryan later broke the record by one, fanning 383).
In the 1963 World Series Koufax struck out a record 15 New York Yankees in game one (Bob Gibson later broke the record, fanning 17 in a World Series game). In that game, Sandy set the record, which still stands, for most strikeouts to start a World Series game, 5. He came back to win game four with a 2-1 victory and helped the Dodgers sweep the Yankees in four games.
In 314 games started, Koufax completed 137, with 40 shutouts.
Sandy first joined the big league club in 1955 replacing fellow southpaw Tommy Lasorda on the roster.
Sandy was the World Series MVP in 1963 and 1965, and had a miniscule 0.95 ERA in four World Series.
In Sandy's last 5 seasons ('62 - '66), he had 111 wins with 96 complete games. In his final 2 seasons, 53 wins with 54 complete games, and as you might guess, 2 Cy Youngs.
Koufax was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1972 and entered above and with Yogi Berra and Early Wynn.
The award for best community blogs on the internet is named the "Koufax Award."
On June 30, 1962, the Dodgers played a double-header against the Mets. Drysdale pitched the first game, brilliantly, but lost it in extra innings 1-to-0. In disgust, he quickly dressed and left the ballpark to make a television appearance somewhere. Later, when he was apprised that his teammate, Sandy Koufax, had pitched a no-hitter in the second game against the Mets, he asked curiously: "Did he win the game?"
Keep in mind: When you look at Sandy's career statistics, such as his lifetime ERA, winning percentage, as well as all the records he racked up, his first seven seasons of sub-par play are figured into those numbers. That should put even more meaning to how great one player could be for five years.