[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. He is also notable for being one of the outstanding Jewish athletes in American 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 religion and society, and remains a notable event in U.S. Jewish history. 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 kept Kerlan's advice to himself and went out every fourth day to pitch. 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. He was also named the NL Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1963, and was runner-up for the award the other two years. "[86] Drysdale responded that Bavasi had done the same thing with him, in reverse. Mr. Koufax was the first pitcher to win multiple Cy Young Awards, as well as the first pitcher to win a Cy Young December 30, 1935 He was previously married to Kimberly Francis and Anne Heath Widmark. Exceeded rookie limits during 1956 season, View Player Bio Koufax spent his entire career with the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn and then continuing "It's been 41 years between starts for him. consecutive All-Star Games from 1961-66 . He is married to Jane Purucker Clarke. Award by a unanimous vote . For the first time in his career, he was in the starting rotation, but only for two weeks. Copyright 2000-2023 Sports Reference LLC. At 86, Koufax remains an icon for ages. Every single product on this site has been approved and licensed by Sandy Koufax. [50] Selected as an All-Star for the first time, he appeared in both All-Star Games that year (two All-Star games were held for the years from 1959 to 1962).

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. [27], Because Koufax's signing bonus was greater than $4,000 ($40,000 today), he was known as a bonus baby. Whats amazing about Koufax is that he played for one team the Dodgers but he had two entirely different careers. In 1972, Sandy Koufax was officially voted into the Hall of Fame, alongside Yogi Berra and Early Wynn. history to have two games with 18 or more strikeouts, and the first to have eight games with 15 or more Koufax is widely considered one of the most impressive pitchers to ever take the mound professionally. The advice worked, Koufax struck out the side, and then went on to pitch seven no-hit innings. WebHall of Famer Sandy Koufax returned to the Dodgers in January 2013 to serve as Special Advisor to Dodgers' Chairman Mark Walter . The only pitchers in the Live Ball Era to do better over any four-season span are Lefty Grove (1929-32 and 30-33), Randy Johnson (1999-2002) and Pedro Martinez (1997-2000). koufax sandy clemente roberto biography quotes famous baseball facts quick He was selected to seven

WebSandy Koufax is a former American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played in 12 seasons for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. He was active on the field from 1955 to 1966, before an elbow injury ended his career prematurely. The Dodgers won the pennant, and Koufax won the first of three pitchers' Triple Crowns, leading the league in wins (25), strikeouts (306) and ERA (1.88). In April 1966, Kerlan told Koufax it was time to retire and that his arm could not take another season. 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. 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. He was the first pitcher in history to average more than one strikeout per inning, and the first to allow fewer than seven hits per nine innings pitched. 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).

Koufax also won the Hickok Belt a second time, the first time anyone had won the belt more than once. WebSandy Koufax is a former American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played in 12 seasons for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers. He was active on the field from 1955 to 1966, before an elbow injury ended his career prematurely. He posted an 1813 record and led the league with 269 strikeouts, breaking Christy Mathewson's 58-year-old NL mark of 267. 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. Koufax dominated. When Koufax first came on the ballot in 1972, he cruised past the 75% threshold, netting 86.9% of the vote. Good hitters could often predict what pitch was coming, but were still unable to hit it. WebSandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched a perfect game in the National League against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, September 9, 1965. [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. 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. the official stats partner of the NBA, NHL and MLB.

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." [22] The Pirates, however, failed to offer Koufax a contract until after he was already committed to the Dodgers. He was only 36 years old, a sign both of how dominant he was at his best and the premature end to his career. [106] His four-seam fastball gave batters the impression of rising as it approached them, due to backspin. [70][71], Koufax's 1964 season started with great expectations. Years later he recalled, "That winter was when I really started working out. 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. They rejoined the team in the last week of spring training. Koufax tried all sorts of treatments, but medicine was hardly as advanced as it is today, and there was little he could do to escape the pain. Tickets. June 24, 1955 A numbness developed in the index finger on his left hand, and the finger became cold and white. He managed to pitch and win two more games. 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. Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax returned to the Dodgers in January 2013 to serve as [45], Koufax tried one more year of baseball, showing up for the 1961 season in better condition than he ever had before. Koufax spent his entire career with the Dodgers, first in Brooklyn and then continuing He was just 30 years old, and he was retiring after a But besides Ryan, no pitcher can match Koufaxs four no-hitters, which amazingly all came in a span of barely more than three years, between June 30, 1962, and Sept. 9, 1965. [131], Koufax married Anne Widmark, the daughter of actor Richard Widmark, in 1969; they divorced in 1982.

Starting Game 7 on just two days of rest, Koufax pitched through fatigue and arthritic pain. [127], Koufax has been described by Sports Illustrated writer John Rosengren as a secular Jew. A vascular specialist determined that Koufax had a crushed artery in his palm. [61], On May 11 Koufax no-hit the Giants 80, besting Marichalhimself a no-hit pitcher on June 15. I started running more. Although he rarely makes public appearances, he went to Turner Field in Atlanta for the introduction ceremony before Game 2 of the 1999 World Series. was a member of Dodgers' world championship teams in 1955, '59, '63 and '65, earning MVP honors in 1963 and 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. Lowest career ERA at any ballparkMin. sandy koufax biography famous credit baseball Koufax had a nearly 8-WAR lead over any other pitcher during that span and is one of just nine pitchers in the Live Ball Era (since 1920) with multiple 10-WAR campaigns. 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. Sabermetrician Rob Neyer called it the best curve of all time. 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. His parents were Evelyn (ne Lichtenstein) and Jack Braun, Sephardic Jews of Hungarian descent.6The family lived in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. The 1965 season brought more obstacles for Koufax. You can always find weird numerology with sports and celebrities if you look hard enough. The king: Three MLB Triple CrownsThe Triple Crown is most famous with regard to hitters (batting average, home runs, RBIs), but theres one for pitchers, too (wins, ERA, strikeouts). WebHall of Fame Explorer Koufax, Sandy About Stats Stories Related Hall of Famers Enlarge Plaque Originally a basketball star with dreams of being an architect, Sandy Koufax became one of the most dominating pitchers of all time. [3][76], On September 9, 1965, Koufax became the sixth pitcher of the modern era, and eighth overall, to throw a perfect game. in Brooklyn, NY At 86, Koufax remains an icon for ages. WebSandy Koufax. 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. WebSanford Sandy Koufax, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball, was referred to as the man with the golden arm.. He pitched well enoughBaltimore first baseman Boog Powell told Koufax's biographer, Jane Leavy, "He might have been hurtin' but he was bringin'"but three errors by Dodger center fielder Willie Davis in the fifth inning produced three unearned runs. On July 20 he hit the second and last home run of his career, coincidentally again in Milwaukee, a three-run shot to propel the team to a 5-4 win; it was his only game with three runs batted in. vs. PHI 9.0 IP, 7 H, 10 SO, 1 BB, 2 ER, W. Hall of Fame: Inducted as Player in 1972. WebHall of Fame Explorer Koufax, Sandy About Stats Stories Related Hall of Famers Enlarge Plaque Originally a basketball star with dreams of being an architect, Sandy Koufax became one of the most dominating pitchers of all time. Less than six weeks after the series, on Friday, November 18,[97][98] Koufax announced his retirement due to an arthritic elbow. koufax sandy 1966 We estimate that 10929 Sandy Koufax Dr would rent between $1,805 / mo. His parents were Evelyn (ne Lichtenstein) and Jack Braun, Sephardic Jews of Hungarian descent.6The family lived in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. Koufax was 19 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 24, 1955, with the Brooklyn Dodgers. WebSanford Koufax ( / kofks /; born Sanford Braun; December 30, 1935) is an American former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played his entire career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. [28] Koufax made his major league debut on June 24, 1955, against the Milwaukee Braves, with the Dodgers trailing 71 in the fifth inning. What I don't understand is how he lost five, said Hall of Famer Yogi Berra in 1963. Sandy Koufax was a left-handed, Brooklyn-born, Jewish-American Major League Baseball player from 1955 to 1966.

Sandy Koufax was elected into the Hall of Fame in 1972. He was only 36 years old, a sign both of how dominant he was at his best and the premature end to his career. from the SABR BioProject, More Sandy Koufax Pages at Baseball Reference. Web10929 Sandy Koufax Dr is a 1776 square foot property with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. After playing in only 12 seasons, Koufax became the youngest player inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. He was diagnosed by Dodgers team physician Robert Kerlan with traumatic arthritis. Koufax was 19 years old when he broke into the big leagues on June 24, 1955, with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Sandy Koufax was a left-handed, Brooklyn-born, Jewish-American Major League Baseball player from 1955 to 1966. In 1972, Sandy Koufax was officially voted into the Hall of Fame, alongside Yogi Berra and Early Wynn. Going out on top: 36 WAR in his last 4 yearsWhats perhaps most amazing about the second half of Koufaxs career is that he was frequently in agony during that time, after developing severe arthritis in his left elbow. Zero: Four no-hittersThe indestructible Ryan is the all-time record holder with seven no-hitters, the last of which came when he was 44 -- 14 years older than Koufax was in his final game. A trip to Cooperstown has something for baseball fans and everyone else. Then there's today, Dec. 30, the birthday of three American athletes of whom you may have heard: Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Sandy Koufax . [35] He saw little work, pitching only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts. [126], Koufax was included among a group of prominent Jewish Americans honored at a May 27, 2010, White House reception for Jewish American Heritage Month. He was the first pitcher to win in back-to-back years, a club that has now grown to 11. On November 18, 1966, Sandy Koufax, the ace pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, retires from baseball. Memberships. [80][115] 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. [66][67] 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. On April 18, he struck out three batters on nine pitches in the third inning of a 30 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, becoming the only NL pitcher to have two "immaculate innings". Sanford Koufax (/kofks/; born Sanford Braun; December 30, 1935) is an American former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played his entire career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. While playing first base for Lafayette's baseball team with his friend Fred Wilpon,[14] he was spotted by Milt Laurie, a baseball coach who was the father of two Lafayette players. WebSandy Koufax Position: Starting Pitcher Bats: Right Throws: Left 6-2 , 210lb (188cm, 95kg) Born: December 30, 1935 (Age: 87-078d) in Brooklyn, NY us More bio, uniform, draft, Pietrusza, David; Silverman, Matthew & Gershman, Michael, ed. 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! Full-year historical Major League statistics provided by Pete Palmer and Gary Gillette of Hidden Game Sports. Nearly 300 pitchers in AL/NL history have started more games than Koufax. Koufax allowed only one run in seven innings, but lost the 10 game when Nellie Fox scored on a double play. 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. [34], The year 1956 was not very different from 1955 for Koufax. [112][113], The Dodgers hired Koufax to be a minor league pitching coach in 1979. In 1972, Sandy Koufax was officially voted into the Hall of Fame, alongside Yogi Berra and Early Wynn. On August 31 against the Giants, he set the NL single-game record and tied Bob Feller's modern major league record of 18,[43] also scoring on Wally Moon's walk-off home run for a 5-2 win. Two weeks active on the ballot in 1972 for two weeks bedrooms and 2 bathrooms elbow injury his! Game when Nellie Fox scored on a double play by Sports Illustrated writer John Rosengren as a secular.. `` [ 86 ] Drysdale responded that Bavasi had done the same thing with him in. 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