I Struck Out Two Times and Got One Hit I ll Probably Strike Out Again Is an Example of
The great Ernie Banks described what it was like to confront Koufax. "It was frightening. He had that tremendous fastball that would ascent, and a great curveball that started at the optics and bankrupt to the ankles. In the end yous knew you lot were going to exist embarrassed. You were either going to strike out or foul out."i Banks said, "He was the greatest bullpen I ever saw. Nearly of the time we knew what was coming. He held his hands closer to his caput when he threw a curveball, merely it didn't matter."2
Koufax's build — huge back, long arms, and uncommonly long fingers — enabled him to put actress spin on his pitches. According to Dodgers catcher Norm Sherry, Koufax could "do things with a baseball nobody has been able to do before or since."iii Pictures testify that the baseball game was as low every bit the top of his left ankle when he reached dorsum to throw. He and so propelled the brawl with a fluid over-the-tiptop delivery that utilized the weight and force of his body.4
Koufax believed his natural gifts required him to work difficult at his job of winning games. His personal integrity was deep. It took six seasons for him to master his wildness, however, and his career was halted afterward the 1966 season by an arthritic left elbow. His decision to retire at the age of xxx after such a dominant run left many, both inside and outside of baseball, wondering why he would go out at the top of his game. Nevertheless this likewise contributed to his aura. When he was elected to the Baseball game Hall of Fame in 1972, he was just 36 years old — the youngest man ever inducted. Decades after his retirement, contend still stirs over Koufax'due south dazzling superlative vs. his career totals.
Two other factors fueled Koufax's legend. Equally 1 of the greatest Jewish baseball players ever, he became a hero in that community, peculiarly after refusing to pitch the opening game of the World Series in 1965 because information technology barbarous on the High Holy Day of Yom Kippur.5 The other was his deep sense of privacy. Koufax was, and however is, a profoundly admired figure — yet he chose to make few public appearances. Remaining out of the spotlight gave Koufax sightings actress cachet. "Awestruck" is another discussion oftentimes attached to this human. Opponents and fans felt that way watching him on the mound, and he retained a unique personal presence.
Sandy Koufax was born every bit Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935. His parents were Evelyn (née Lichtenstein) and Jack Braun, Sephardic Jews of Hungarian descent.6 The family lived in the Bensonhurst department of Brooklyn. Koufax had an older stepsister, Edith, who died in Nov 1997.
When Sandy was 3, Evelyn (an accountant) divorced Jack Braun.7 She and the children lived with her parents in Brooklyn. Sandy's gramps, Max Lichtenstein, was a plumber. The male child's street activities were stoop brawl, dial brawl, and stickball.8
Sandy was nine when Evelyn married Irving Koufax, the lawyer whom Sandy affectionately came to phone call his dad.ix The Koufaxes moved to Rockville Eye, New York. They lived on the first floor of a two-story home owned by his uncle, Sam Lichtenstein, an builder.x
The young Koufax had simply completed ninth form, when — afterwards a Long Island Railroad train derailment — the Koufax family moved back to Bensonhurst. It was then, at the age of xiv, that Koufax took upward another sport in which he had a lot of talent: basketball. He was a potent rebounder who demonstrated his jumping ability in front of the New York Knicks when the Police Athletic League of Bath Embankment arranged for a do good game to exist played at the gym in Lafayette High School, which Sandy began to attend in 10th grade.11
During summer vacations from schoolhouse, Koufax worked every bit a waiter and advisor at Camp Chi-Wan-Da, most Kingston, New York. He had been going to this military camp since the age of iii. His mother was its bookkeeper.12
Milton Laurie, a commitment commuter for the New York Journal American, is believed to be the get-go man to uncover Koufax's pitching ability. Laurie, a longtime sandlot manager who had years before been signed by the Boston Braves, spotted Koufax pitching for the Tomahawks in the Ice Foam League, a counterpart of the Little League and Babe Ruth League.13 Even though Koufax walked nine men in two innings, Laurie had his son Walter, who was a classmate, invite Koufax to join his sandlot squad. Koufax at first refused, but afterwards much begging by Laurie, he inverse his listen. Laurie'due south team, the Parkviews, were part of the Coney Isle Sports League.xiv Koufax was decorated working in summer camp. As such, he did not play much, merely when he did, he would strike out xvi to 18 batters.
It thrilled Sandy to see Irving Koufax arrive one solar day at a game. That night, at the dinner table, Irving related how impressed he was and said Evelyn should hand Sandy some money to buy a new pair of spikes. This was a complete surprise to the young Koufax, who had repeatedly heard his father say that "spending on baseball is a waste material of money" and "a baseball game player you will never be." His parents wanted him to follow in the footsteps of his uncles, who were architects.
Even so information technology was his interest and skill in basketball game that won Koufax a university scholarship. His parents were excited when he accepted the offer from the University of Cincinnati, where the basketball program had a stiff reputation. The Bearcat scouts had seen Koufax playing both at high school and at the Jewish Community House.15
At the urging of friends, Koufax did leave for baseball in his senior year at Lafayette. He played first base. The squad captain was Fred Wilpon, a lefty with a "crackling" curveball, who decades later became the possessor of the New York Mets.xvi Their motorcoach was Charlie Sheerin, a utility infielder for the 1936 Phillies.17
Koufax stood 6-feet-2 when fully grown. (During his major-league career, he weighed as much every bit 210 pounds.) When he went to Cincinnati, he was a starting forrad on the freshman team. He was known to be a "cruel" rebounder and able to douse.xviii He was the squad'south tertiary-leading scorer with a nine.7-point average. The team won 12 of xiv games, and according to the coach, Ed Jucker, Koufax could accept made it in professional person basketball. Jucker led the Bearcats varsity squad to NCAA championships in 1961 and 1962; he later coached the NBA's Cincinnati Royals.nineteen
Jucker was also the Bearcats' baseball passenger vehicle. The squad lacked pitchers, and so Koufax volunteered to help out. He threw difficult but was so wild that catchers wanted no part of him. In his debut game, at Keesler Air Strength Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, Koufax struggled. He returned to the Cincinnati campus to pitch a 4-hitter against Wayne, striking out 16. He side by side took on Louisville, striking out 18, a school record. He finished his first college flavour with a record of 3-1, 51 strikeouts and 30 walks in 31 innings.20 He caught the eye of major-league scouts.
Koufax interested each of the three New York City large-league clubs — the Yankees, Giants, and Dodgers — not only considering he could throw hard simply also considering of his faith. Since the days of John McGraw, the New York teams had desired Jewish drawing cards. His organized religion may have had something to do with it — the bigger factor was his performance — yet it was said in the 1960s that when Koufax pitched, regardless of where, there would be 10,000 more fans in attendance.21
The Yankees sent a Jewish sentry, which offended the Koufax family. They offered only $4,000 and a Class-D consignment.22 Koufax had a tryout with the Giants at the Polo Grounds. He showed up without his glove and had to borrow one from Johnny Antonelli.23 The squad lost interest; tense and frightened, Sandy was wild.24
Jimmy Irish potato, who covered school sports for the Brooklyn Eagle, tipped off Dodgers scout Al Campanis to Koufax. This led to a workout at Ebbets Field before the general manager, Buzzie Bavasi, and the manager, Walt Alston.25 Campanis offered a $fourteen,000 bonus and a $vi,000 bacon. Co-operative Rickey, who by then was general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, authorized ane of his scouts to top the Dodgers past $5,000. The Milwaukee Braves offered $30,000.26 But they were too late. Sandy had talked with Irving Koufax frequently, and they decided to sign with Brooklyn. Irving sealed the bargain with a handshake. Information technology was on December fourteen, 1954, that Koufax signed as a bonus babe.
Sandy and so dropped out of Cincinnati and transferred to Columbia University to take some courses at the school of architecture.27 The demands of playing baseball and the requirement that Koufax fulfill his armed services service obligation of six months between playing seasons eventually caused him to drop out of Columbia.28
Koufax'southward bonus was rather small compared to what many bonus babies got in that era. Nonetheless the rules so in upshot denied clubs the right to send any player to the minors who was given more than than $6,000 to sign.29 Thus, Koufax never spent a day in the minors.xxx
According to teammate Carl Erskine, even as a rookie Koufax showed a placidity sense of humor. Erskine related how in the leap of 1955, the Dodgers were on a city charabanc heading back to their hotel afterward an exhibition game in Miami. The Dodgers had lost and it was a hot night. The bus stopped to allow a very slow freight train pass. The passengers grew impatient; double-decker Billy Herman, sitting across the aisle from Koufax, permit out, "Darn, you tin can give this town back to the Jews." The entire bus went silent. Koufax, not even 20 then, very softly said, "Now Billy, y'all know we already take it." This defused the situation with no carryover.31
It was more than two months into the 1955 season before Koufax made his major-league debut. Early in the season, he injured his ankle and wound up on the disabled listing. Tommy Lasorda was the odd man out on June eight, when he was demoted to the Montreal Royals to make room for Koufax. Lasorda liked to say, "It took the greatest left-handed pitcher in baseball history to become me off that Brooklyn social club — and I still call back they made a mistake."32
Once off the DL, another reason for Koufax's idleness emerged: Alston favored experience over youth. This was true of many big-league managers then, merely Alston'southward tendency was more pronounced because the Dodgers were a Earth Series contender.
Also, in those days, big-league pitching staffs were smaller and structured differently. There were four regular starters, and they were expected to pitch deep into the game if non complete information technology. At that place were two long-relief men in case a starter got into early on problem. Although the "closer" role was evolving and the concept of saves was just emerging, in that location was also one short man, used sometimes to wrap upward the game or often to put out late-inning fires. The eighth and 9th pitchers were the low men on the totem pole. In the normal course of events, they did not go into games. They awaited a blowout by either side or some catastrophe (injury) to occur.33
Finally, on June 24, 1955, against the Braves at Milwaukee's County Stadium, Koufax got into a game for Brooklyn. He entered at the start of the fifth inning with the Dodgers trailing, 7-i, and pitched ii scoreless innings, striking out two.
After one more than relief outing, Koufax got his first beginning, on July 6, 1955. It was the first game of a doubleheader in Pittsburgh. He lasted just 4⅔ innings. He walked viii batters and gave up three hits but immune only one run. He was not the pitcher of record. Afterwards that, he pitched just iii times in a span of 50 days.
Koufax's outset win came on August 27, 1955. He started and went the distance, shutting out the Cincinnati Reds on two hits and five walks. He fanned 14, including Gus Bell 4 times. In his next kickoff, on September 3, Koufax threw some other shutout, over Pittsburgh. He allowed but 5 hits. Those were his only two wins as a rookie.
Koufax was on the Globe Series roster in 1955 but did not pitch. He took dark classes at Columbia while the Serial was in progress, then attended in the mean solar day after Johnny Podres finished off the Yankees.34 Brooklyn won the pennant again in 1956; one time more Koufax was on the postseason roster, but Alston did not telephone call upon him.
During his get-go two years as a Dodger, Koufax gained piffling experience — just 28 appearances (15 starts) and barely 100 innings pitched. He was frustrated and quick to blame his wildness and unsteadiness on the lack of regular work.35 It was a brutal bicycle. He couldn't pitch until his control improved — but the less he pitched, the worse his control became. While in Brooklyn for iii years, Koufax considered himself not a pitcher but an arm. He could not assistance but feel that some potentially prime years were wasted.36
Koufax got a boost in May 1956, nevertheless, with the arrival of Sal Maglie. Koufax and Don Drysdale (then a 19-twelvemonth-one-time rookie) sat in the bullpen with the savvy veteran and listened to analysis of what was happening on the field.37
During the 1956-57 offseason, rather than touring Japan with nigh of the Dodgers, Koufax got a chance to practice his "lessons" in wintertime ball. The Dodgers arranged for him to pitch in Puerto Rico with the Caguas Criollos. The manager was Ben Geraghty, from the Braves organization, a renowned developer of young talent. Although Koufax posted a won-lost record of merely 3-vi, he showed more glimpses of brilliance — a i-hitting shutout and a two-striking shutout. The bully Roberto Clemente got the only hits off Koufax in the latter game, Sandy'southward terminal in Puerto Rico. Caguas had to release him considering a league ruling precluded teams from having more than than three imported players with big-league experience.38
Koufax got more work with Brooklyn in 1957. He pitched in 34 games, starting thirteen of them, and logged over 100 innings. That season ended on a distinctive note: Koufax became the last man to throw a pitch in a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform. In relief of Roger Craig at Philadelphia, he struck out Willie Jones on iii pitches.
During the 1958 season, with the Dodgers at present ensconced in Los Angeles, Koufax told Carl Erskine that he was going to quit baseball and pursue an opportunity to purchase into a radio station. But at the end of the season, Koufax felt appreciative of the fashion the Dodgers had treated him. He had been used more than always earlier — 40 games, 26 starts, near 160 innings pitched. He said he would give it one more year (1959) before making a terminal decision.
Erskine believed that because basketball had been Koufax's favorite sport, he did not possess the inner fire for baseball that other rookies and players in general had. Koufax would not arroyo the other pitchers for advice or enquire any questions. He was being cocky-taught. There was no one trying to show him how to footstep himself or how to hold a runner. In addition to the bonus rule, which prevented Koufax from getting seasoning, Erskine talked about competition. In the 1950s, players generally had i-yr contracts, and thus were not inclined to accept a rookie under their wing and evidence him the ropes. Each man was fighting for his own job. It was not uncommon for players to be released in midyear and be replaced by one of the many small-scale-league aspirants.
Erskine said Koufax may have felt some guilt virtually leapfrogging over the other pitchers that each of the 15 farm teams in the Dodgers arrangement had. Koufax had taken a spot on the roster that some other deserved more. His sensitivity played a role in his epitome of himself.39
Koufax started poorly in 1959. By May 2 he had started four games — not getting past the fourth inning in any — and relieved once. In only 11 innings, he had immune nineteen hits and 17 walks, and his ERA was a dismal 12.27. Koufax felt that the Dodgers were very shut to getting rid of him. Pitching coach Joe Becker said, "He has no coordination and he has lost all his conviction. His arm is audio, but mechanically he is all fouled upwards. …"
Even though Walt Alston said not to give up on Koufax, Sandy believed those were the words of the front office, not the field manager. At this bespeak Koufax was hoping that some other squad would claim him on waivers and so he could continue in the big leagues.40 In mid-June, though, it started to come together. Koufax improved his control and pitched iii consecutive complete-game victories. He had a similar run in late August. On August 31, confronting the Giants at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Koufax struck out 18 batters. It was his final win of the flavour. In the lesser of the ninth with the score tied, Koufax was allowed to hit and singled to left field off Giants starter Jack Sanford. After Junior Gilliam singled, Wally Moon launched a three-run walk-off domicile run. The win streak concluded September vi when, after matching zeroes with Chicago's Art Ceccarelli for ix innings, Koufax gave up a three-run homer to Ernie Banks in the 10th and lost.
Koufax was continuing to mature equally a pitcher. In 1959 the Dodgers won some other pennant, then he appeared in a Earth Series at last. Afterwards pitching two innings in Game One, a blowout victory for the White Sox, Koufax started Game Five. On October half dozen, in front of 92,706 spectators at the Coliseum, he pitched seven innings of v-hitting brawl, striking out six. He walked simply one concoction and immune the game'due south only run when Sherm Lollar grounded into a double play. The White Sox may have won, but Erskine believed that Koufax realized that he could be truly successful in the major leagues.41 What besides transformed him from an inconsistent bullpen to a Hall of Famer was coming to grips with fear of failure on such a big stage.42
The Dodgers realized more fully what they had in 1960, when Yankees GM George Weiss tried to get Koufax in a trade for catcher Elston Howard. Bavasi turned the deal downwards.43 The original offering for Howard was Duke Snider and Johnny Podres.44 Koufax himself may not have agreed. When the 1960 season ended, he was once more uncertain about his future. He was disgusted with his performance over 175 innings. Despite 197 strikeouts, both his control (100 walks allowed) and ERA (3.91) had improved just marginally.45
It'southward often observed that the ii halves of Koufax's 12-year career stand in stark contrast. From 1955 through 1960, he won 36 and lost 40, with 405 walks in 691⅔ innings. His ERA was 4.10. But Koufax outburst into prominence in 1961, winning xviii games and leading the National League with 269 strikeouts.
During spring training in 1961, Norm Sherry, sitting with Koufax on a motorcoach filled with reserves heading out of Vero Beach to an exhibition game, had suggested to Koufax that he ease upwards a bit — the harder he threw, the wilder he became. Koufax would then tense his massive muscles, and thus his fastball would lose life and his control would erode farther. Joe Becker stated, "He needs a loose wrist to get snap in the brawl at the position of release, non more muscular tension than he was already creating."46 Sherry said, "Why non have some fun out there, Sandy? Don't try to throw so difficult and use more curveballs and changeups."47
Heeding this proffer was truly the turning point in Koufax'southward career. He economized effort, retained velocity, and gained better control of both his pitches and himself. In other words, he went from thrower to pitcher. The mental dimension of his game was prominent.
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At times Koufax put on an act to fool batters into looking for a different pitch. He did not like to shake off signs in a regular fashion; he believed information technology was a tip-off. And so he would purposely milkshake off a series of signs merely to come back to where he wanted to be.
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Koufax would not think of the other team's lineup before warming up. He believed that thinking about the hitters that late forced him to concentrate upon them completely.48
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He focused on retiring the average hitters, rather than getting out the best opposing concoction. His philosophy was that allowing the star(due south) to reach base of operations three or four times in a game did non matter if no 1 else preceded or followed with a hit.
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To exist at his best, on the two days before a start Koufax abstained from any activeness that might interfere with his performance.49
Of interest, however, Koufax believed that luck had a lot to do with success on the mound — particularly line shots hit correct at an infielder. Some other noteworthy points include these:
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When Koufax wasn't pitching, he liked to hold a ball with his fastball and curveball grips to strengthen his muscles and tendons.50
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He could never throw a slider — information technology hurt his arm.
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For leverage and push, Koufax pitched from atop the safety rather than in front end of it.
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He believed it necessary to establish the outer one-half of the plate with a fastball and non become beaten in a shut game by throwing a strike on the inner half.51
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Koufax never blamed whatsoever single play or histrion for costing him a game, because that aforementioned player got him out of problem in another game.52
Koufax's last win in 1961 came in the final large-league game played at the LA Coliseum. He earned a complete-game victory after 13 innings and 205 pitches. He struck out 15 and walked merely three, not allowing a hit over the last five innings.
During his terminal v seasons, 1962-1966, Koufax ascended to a new level — one of the best acme periods from any pitcher e'er (though he did benefit from a notably bullpen-friendly dwelling house park in Dodger Stadium). Over that span, he won 111 games and lost simply 34, with a 1.95 ERA. He led the National League in ERA in each of those five seasons. The Sporting News named him NL Pitcher of the Year from 1963 through 1966. In each of his Cy Immature Award/Triple Crown seasons (1963, 1965, and 1966) he won at least 25 games and struck out over 300 batters. In 1963 he was too the NL'due south Most Valuable Player, and he was the runner-upwardly in the MVP voting of 1965 and 1966.
Koufax enjoyed his fame, but only from afar. Though always elegantly dressed, poised, and clear, he was a basically shy and repressed person. He did not welcome all the commotion that came with his success. He tried very hard to stay out of the news. He would on occasion avert answering the phone. On urgent matters, a call was often replaced past a wire to Koufax'south dwelling.53 He would ofttimes dine in gourmet restaurants at his ain expense rather than eat the society's traditional fare, "Dodger steaks."54 However, he almost never left his hotel room in his final 2 seasons, preferring to order room service to avoid the attention.55
Koufax'due south 1962 flavor was off to a good start. On April 24 at Wrigley Field he struck out 18 Cubs as the Dodgers won 10-ii. His progress was and then interrupted by a career-threatening injury — not to his elbow or shoulder, only to his alphabetize finger. It happened in his side by side outset, on April 28 against Pittsburgh at Dodger Stadium. By nature a right-handed batter, Koufax decided to protect his throwing arm past swinging lefty instead. In this unfamiliar stance, a pitch from Pirates starter Earl Francis jammed his hand — oddly plenty, Koufax got an infield unmarried on the play. He remained in the game, earning a complete-game 2-1 victory. Nonetheless, the trauma led to the circulatory condition chosen Raynaud's phenomenon.56 Information technology got so bad that if he pressed the finger, it would turn white for hours. His thumb was also affected to a degree.
Despite this numbness, Koufax pitched a no-hitter against the Mets on June 30, 1962. On July 12 he won his 14th game of the flavour, also confronting the Mets. (He feasted on the expansion club in its weak early years, going 17-2 with a one.44 ERA.) He did not win another game that twelvemonth. On July 17 Koufax left a game confronting the Reds after the first inning. He was out of the lineup until September 21. The doctors tried various drugs and intravenous injections designed to dissolve the blood clot in his finger. Information technology alleviated the condition, merely at i point the threat of amputation existed.57
In the heat of a pennant race with the Giants, Koufax returned, but the layoff had cost him endurance. The Dodgers faded down the stretch, and a iii-game playoff for the flag ensued. Koufax took the brawl for Game One just was knocked out of the box in the second inning.
Going into the 1963 season, there were some lingering doubts about Koufax'south status. He missed three starts in late April and early on May with a sore shoulder. His offset game dorsum was a victory over the Cardinals, followed by his second career no-hitter, on May eleven against the San Francisco Giants. Koufax was perfect until he walked Ed Bailey with one out in the 8th. Surprisingly, he struck out just four. Subsequently the game Koufax said, "Because of my finger and shoulder injuries and caliber of the Giants, this would have to be my biggest thrill."58
The opposing pitcher at Dodger Stadium that night was one of the other premier pitchers in the NL, Juan Marichal. Koufax and the Dominican ace started confronting each other four times, and this was Koufax'southward second triumph before losing the next ii.
Koufax finished the 1963 flavour 25-5. He fired 11 shutouts — since then only five other pitchers have had seasons with double-digit shutout totals, and none since 1985.59
The Dodgers went on to sweep the Globe Series against the Yankees. Koufax was named Series MVP, going all the way to win both Game I (five-ii) and Game 4 (2-ane). In Game One, he struck out fifteen, breaking his onetime friend Carl Erskine's record, set up exactly a decade before. Koufax was aware of it; when he saw Erskine he actually apologized.60 Koufax set some other Series tape that day by striking out the first five batters he faced.
By the end of the 1963 flavor, Koufax had developed traumatic arthritis in his left elbow. Pictures oftentimes showed him with his left arm in an ice bath after games. Some experts speculated that the elbow trouble came from throwing a few pitches side-arm in his early years. Koufax believed that it happened over a period of ten to 12 years and may accept started in high school when he cruel on the basketball courtroom.61
The general public had been unaware of the estrus treatments that followed.62 Koufax went to the trainer about an hour earlier his starts to accept Capsolin — basically, chili pepper salve — rubbed on his arm. Capsolin irritates the peel to increase circulation; it burns until the arm goes numb. Excessive application would cause the pare to start peeling.63 Originally, when his arm blew upwards, Koufax was given phenylbutazone alka, an anti-inflammatory pill.64 The nonsteroidal drug was intended for animals and is no longer approved for homo use. Today's equivalent is Ibuprofen.
During 1964 Koufax's arthritis became exacerbated. On April 22 he lasted only i inning. He took 12 days off and returned to pitch a consummate-game 10-inning win. A month later in Philadelphia, he pitched his third career no-hitter (and only shutout ever against the Phillies).
In Milwaukee on August 8, Koufax pigeon back to second base on a pickoff endeavour and landed on his elbow. The chronic throbbing subsequently he pitched became more acute; eventually everywhere from his shoulder to wrist swelled upward. The squad'southward orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Robert Kerlan, took X-rays that revealed the extent of the arthritis. The treatment was aspirating the fluid build-up with a needle, cortisone injections, and oral medications to relieve the inflammation.65
Koufax's final start that flavour came on August sixteen. Yet despite taking the mound just 29 times in 1964, he won nineteen games.
Koufax came up with the idea that if he skipped his customary sideline throwing between starts it would aid lessen the hurting.66 The idea seemed to work, as shown by his 1965 tape, including a career-loftier 335⅔ innings pitched. His 382 strikeouts shattered the modern-era record of 349 that Rube Waddell had set in 1904.
Another memorable matchup against Juan Marichal took identify on August 22, 1965 — the game in which Marichal took a bat to Johnny Roseboro'due south head. Marichal, ejected in the tertiary inning, got no decision. Koufax retired Bob Schroder (who finished Marichal's turn at bat) and Tito Fuentes, but he was however shaken. He walked two and so gave up a three-run homer to Willie Mays that gave the Giants a four-iii victory.67
Koufax, knowing the deadly force of his own deliveries, refrained from beanball wars and never sought to injure a batter. According to his co-author, Ed Linn, he would non intentionally throw at a hitter and did not try to make batters look bad.68 Over his career, he hit simply 18 batters.
By contrast, the National League's other premier bullpen of the day, Bob Gibson, hit 102 batters over his career 3,884 innings. Gibson (and Don Drysdale) believed that brushback pitches had a valuable purpose. Yet in his v matchups against Gibson from 1961 through 1966, Koufax was four-ane with a 0.92 ERA and 3 shutouts. (His ten shutouts against the Cardinals were the nigh he threw against any team.)
But the left-arm pain remained at times unbearable for Koufax, despite the Capsolin, ice baths, and pain relievers. He establish that his left arm was shortening. He had to lean over to reach his face up when shaving.
Notwithstanding, downward the stretch, in yet another heated pennant race with the Giants, Koufax had four complete-game wins in his terminal five starts. He so pitched 2 shutouts against Minnesota in the World Series. Though he lost Game 2, he threw a four-hitter in Game Five, striking out 10. In Game Seven, on just two days' residuum, he fired a iii-hitter. For the second time, he won Series MVP honors.
Koufax's personal decision not to pitch on Yom Kippur, which fell on Oct half dozen in 1965, has been well chronicled. Co-ordinate to media reports, supposedly Koufax was going to consult a rabbi to decide whether he could play. But on Oct 2 he said simply, "I didn't want to say anything virtually it before because we were non in a position to clinch the pennant. Just at no time did I ever consider information technology. I will definitely not pitch."69
Sports Illustrated named Koufax its Sportsman of the Year for 1965, and writer Jack Olsen asked what drove him. Koufax responded, "I call back it'due south just competition. I want to win, and I desire to do things well. And I desire to be capable of doing my all-time. If I were to go out and get crush and and so realize after the game that I got shell because of something I did the day before … to me, that's the worst way to lose. … I'd be ashamed of myself."70
Before the 1966 season, Koufax became embroiled in contract negotiations. He and the Dodgers' other pitching mainstay, Don Drysdale, had grown weary of being played against each other in the process. The 2 decided to pool their force and make their bacon demands together. The sides were far apart at first; somewhen, Buzzie Bavasi made a concluding offer of $240,000 every bit a packet. This was at the fourth dimension the largest sum ever paid ii pitchers on i society for one season — Koufax's portion, $130,000, was then the highest salary in baseball history.71 Even so, Koufax and Drysdale had to give up the no-cut clauses in their contracts.72 Club owner Walter O'Malley was ready to let them both walk if they did non accept that final offer. He mentioned that the Mets were interested in them both.73
In 1966 Koufax matched his career highs of the preceding season with 41 starts and 27 complete games. During that season, though, information technology became necessary for him to receive cortisone injections directly into the elbow joint. The injections became more frequent as the inflammation and fluid in the elbow became more and more hard to contain. Dr. Kerlan had warned that the traumatic arthritis was incurable. By the cease of the 1966 season, Koufax's left arm was bent at a 22.five-degree bending and the os spurs in the elbow had grown to virtually a quarter-inch. Every pitch would bring hurting. Combing his pilus had become a painful effort. He had his accommodate jackets retailored then that the malformation of his left arm would be subconscious.74
Yet Koufax never missed a plow — his competitive fire continued to bulldoze him. In midseason Bob Hunter of the Los Angeles Times reported that Koufax had said, "I go out to pitch a no-hitter every game. Of grade that can't be, simply afterward I allow i hit, I shoot for a shutout."75 That dovetailed with his comment the previous twelvemonth: "And when I surrender a run, I desire to pitch a one-run game."76
In echoes of the 1951 stretch drive, the Giants got hot late in the 1966 race — the threat of a playoff for the Dodgers loomed. But Koufax turned the rivals abroad in the flavour's final game. Pitching on 2 days' rest in the nightcap of a doubleheader at Philadelphia, he hurled a complete-game 6-3 victory over Jim Bunning to clinch the pennant.77
In the 1966 World Serial against Baltimore, Koufax started Game Ii, going on three days' rest after his October 2 pennant-clincher. He pitched half dozen innings and allowed four runs; meanwhile, xx-year-old Jim Palmer threw a shutout. The Orioles swept the Series in 4 games, and and then that was the terminal mound appearance ever past Sandy Koufax.
Before the flavor was over, the autobiography Koufax, written in conjunction with Ed Linn, was published. Among many detailed insights was the post-obit: "I exercise not think the ballplayer is of an extraordinary importance in our national life. Nosotros do not heal the ill or bring peace and condolement to a troubled world. All we do is to provide a few hours of diversion to the people who desire to come up to the park, and a sort of disharmonize to those who identify their fortunes with ours through the season. … [B]y its nature, it is a brief, self-liquidating life. It is a temporary life, really, a period between the time of our youth and the get-go of our lifetime career."78 While Koufax's determination to retire has often been portrayed equally "abrupt," this passage supports the thought that he had been contemplating retirement for some time.
It'southward noteworthy that in 1964, Koufax commented that to be considered a smashing bullpen, you need to bear witness that you can win games for 10 to 15 years. To exist a nifty ballplayer, your accomplishments need to span not just a couple of years only a whole career.79
With this in mind, Carl Erskine's take on Koufax'south early retirement becomes even more intriguing. In Erskine's view, once Koufax established his pitching records, he had reached a point where he had nothing more to prove and wanted to leave at the top of the heap. Erskine believed that Koufax never felt totally comfortable as a major-league pitcher. He had never heard or seen whatsoever medical report that said Koufax could non get out and pitch.80
In his 12 seasons, Sandy Koufax amassed the following notable statistics:
-
Winning per centum of .655
-
ERA of 2.76
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40 shutouts, including 10 1-0 victories
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Forth with his 4 no-hitters, 2 one-hitters, eight two- hitters, and 17 3-hitters
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9.28 strikeouts per nine innings
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Eight regular-season games with 15 or more strikeouts
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Opponents' batting average of .205
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half dozen.79 hits allowed per nine innings during his career
Koufax never won a Gold Glove, but in 1965 he did not commit an error.81
As noted, Ernie Banks had a hard time facing Koufax. In 143 plate appearances, Banks had merely 23 hits (they did include 7 dwelling runs) and struck out 31 times. One role player who had neat success against Koufax was Bill Virdon — .404 in 60 plate appearances despite swinging left-handed, well higher up his career .267 average.
Even for a pitcher, Koufax was a weak hitter, batting just .097 in his career. He did have 2 dwelling runs. Both came at County Stadium in Milwaukee against the Braves and both were off left-handers. His first, on June 13, 1962, was a solo shot to left center in the fifth inning off Warren Spahn. It proved to exist the winning run. The second came a yr subsequently off Denny Lemaster. Other batting highlights include a home game against Houston on July 20, 1965. In the ninth with the score tied, Walt Alston allowed Koufax to bat with 2 out and ii on. Koufax delivered a walk-off unmarried to left. Too, in a game confronting the Mets on June 5, 1966, Koufax had two hits in one inning.
In December 1966, Koufax joined NBC as a broadcaster. His contract (which also called for him to practise other piece of work for the network) was for an estimated $1 million over x years.82 Koufax was reassigned to the second dissemination team in 1969 to proceeds more than experience; Tony Kubek was promoted to join Curt Gowdy, and Pee Wee Reese's contract was not renewed.83
After the 1968 flavour, the Dodgers made a formal offer to Koufax to return. He politely turned it down, telling Bob Hunter that he did not desire to wind up a cripple and not be able to play a normal game of golf.84
According to Carl Erskine, Koufax wanted to have a successful marriage with children. Sandy was regularly seen in the presence of beautiful young women, even so he wondered why he could not meet someone like Erskine's wife. He confessed that his dates had usually been introduced to him at cocktail parties. Erskine told Koufax that was the problem. "Yous should become to your synagogue or other such similar places to meet a different kind of woman."85
Koufax never became a father, simply he got married three times. His first wife was Anne Widmark, daughter of actor Richard Widmark. Their wedding was on New year's day'southward 24-hour interval, 1969.86 They lived in E Holden, near Ellsworth, Maine. They bought what was known equally the Winkumpaugh Farm on October iv, 1971, so proceeded to buy the 300 adjacent acres. Koufax joined the Bucksport Golf game Order and got his handicap down to six. He was able to advance to the championship flights in the 1973 Maine Country Amateur Championship. He continued his interest in electronics and dabbled in carpentry and gourmet cooking.87 Sandy's sister Edith related that when they were growing up, her brother was a pretty good cook and handy around the family domicile, which he wired for sound. When Edith married, he even came over to the newlyweds' domicile and spent three hours fixing a sewing machine.88
It was at his Maine home that Koufax received the news that he had been voted into the Hall of Fame.89 At the time his 344 votes were the most e'er. In his Hall of Fame credence spoken language on Baronial vii, 1972, Koufax referred to his old pitching jitney, Joe Becker: "Becker pushed me, shoved me, embarrassed me and made me work and thank God for him. Being a pitcher I feel that it is sometimes very alone, very lonely. … You feel like, well, everybody on the other team is against you, and they are. The merely one that seems to be close, the only friend y'all have is the catcher, and I'd like to thank every catcher who ever defenseless in any abortion I was ever in, two in particular, Roy Campanella, who caught the very offset one, and John Roseboro, who caught most of the others."
Koufax'southward contract with NBC was terminated by mutual consent before the start of the 1973 flavor.90 From Koufax's side, the decision to leave the broadcast booth stemmed in part from difficulty in talking baseball game to people who had not played the game professionally. Other challenges for him were describing pitchers whose repertoires differed from his, and being honest and disquisitional of the men he played with and confronting. Every bit a outcome, he was uncomfortable on the air.91
In 1974 the Koufaxes sold the Maine property and moved back to California. Koufax played golf, invested in real estate and enjoyed listening to music at home. He rarely attended a baseball game, instead watching on television. He admitted that he missed playing, stating, "It's hard not to miss the 1 affair in your life you've done very well."92
Later his retirement, Koufax spent much of his fourth dimension on a ranch outside Paso Robles. He eventually ran into financial difficulties. Thus, he returned to baseball in 1979 as a special pitching jitney for the Dodgers.93 Over the following 11 years he worked with prospects during spring preparation, paying follow-up visits in Double A and Triple A. Keeping a low profile, he had no name on the back of his jacket when on the exercise field. During the offseason he retreated to his ranch and eventually to southern Idaho to keep away from the press and baseball.94
Anne Widmark and Koufax divorced in 1982. In 1985 Koufax married his second wife, Kimberly Francis, a fitness enthusiast with a passion for the arts. For a time, they lived in Oregon, where she had a gallery. Their spousal relationship ended in the wintertime of 1998-1999.95 Koufax married a third time, to Jane Purucker Clarke, a sorority sister of Laura Bush, erstwhile President George W. Bush'due south wife.96
The 1989 flavor was the last of Koufax's 11 years with the Dodgers equally pocket-sized-league pitching instructor, although he continued to visit unofficially in bound preparation. For many years, well into the 21st century, he would also visit the Mets in spring training to catch up with former friend Fred Wilpon and offer sage advice to young pitchers. Sometimes he would disappear, though, before players had a chance to milkshake his huge hand.
Many books accept been written about Sandy Koufax over the years, a attestation to enduring public interest in the homo. Non a day goes by without his name appearing on the World Wide Spider web.97 The year 2002 brought Sandy Koufax: A Lefty'south Legacy, by Jane Leavy. Koufax authorized the book but declined to be interviewed; thus, Leavy interviewed more than than 400 people to gain perspective on the player and person, from the standpoints of both baseball and Judaism. It became a bestseller and was praised for the quality of its writing.
Alas, after the book came out, Koufax'due south human relationship with the Dodgers became severely strained. The New York Post, then owned — as were the Dodgers — by News Corp., planted a blind item insinuating that Koufax was gay. The paper chop-chop withdrew the particular and apologized, but Koufax severed his ties with the club for a couple of years. In 2004, however, Frank McCourt bought the Dodgers, and Koufax resumed his unofficial leap-grooming visits to piece of work with pitchers.98
In 2007, 41 years later he retired from baseball game, Koufax was the final player chosen in the draft to stock the six teams for the first (and only) season of the Israel Baseball League. Koufax, then 71, was picked by the Modi'in Miracle in the typhoon conducted by the head of the league'south operations, Dan Duquette. Miracle managing director Fine art Shamsky (another noted Jewish big leaguer) stated, "His choice is a tribute to the esteem with which he is held past anybody associated with this league. It's been 41 years betwixt starts for him. If he's rested and ready to take the mound again, nosotros desire him on our team."99
Koufax remained a frequent newsmaker. In 2010 President Barack Obama likened himself in jest to Koufax at a White Firm gathering that honored Jewish Americans. Obama said, "We are both lefties. He tin can't pitch on Yom Kippur. I can't pitch." Obama started his introduction by saying "This is a pretty fancy … pretty distinguished group and Sandy Koufax."100 The mention of Koufax's name brought the biggest cheer at this effect, which included members of the House and Senate, 2 justices of the Supreme Court, Olympic athletes, entrepreneurs, and rabbinical scholars.
Koufax'southward reputation for privacy endured for decades. Fifty-fifty his ain mother saw him as a mystery. When she heard that Sandy was writing his autobiography, she asked if she could get one of the first copies so she could learn nigh her son. "You never told me anything," she said.101 One 1999 written report noted, "Koufax's tight band of friends … call him The Ghost because of the fashion he of a sudden appears and disappears."102 All the same this report and others over the years emphasized his loyalty. Young man Brooklyn native Joe Torre said that once you were in Koufax's inner circle, you were in for good.103 For example, even though Fred Wilpon got Sandy to go one of the investors in Bernard Madoff'due south notorious Ponzi scheme, Koufax publicly supported Wilpon. He would have testified on behalf of the Mets' ownership, had a settlement not averted a civil trial.
Koufax himself added residual to the portrait. "I'g trying to effigy out who says I'chiliad private," he said with a grin. "I'm at the Final Four. I go to golf tournaments. I go to the movies. I go to dinner. I alive my life. Somebody wrote that l years agone, and they're still writing that. … I don't care what everyone says. I'm past caring."104
In the bound of 2012, Guggenheim Baseball bought the Dodgers, and co-owner Earvin "Magic" Johnson reached out to Koufax. Previously, Sandy had thrown out the first pitch at Dodger Stadium on Opening Mean solar day 2008, merely in 2013, he forged closer ties with the gild again. He connected to impart his wisdom to pitchers and became a special adviser to Chairman Marking Walter. Koufax expressed his delight and said that some of his most cherished memories came at Dodger Stadium. Only Ned Colletti, who was then the squad's general manager, summed it upwardly perfectly.
"He's as iconic a player as we'll ever take."105
Concluding revised: February 9, 2016
Notes
1 Ira Berkow, "Koufax Is No Garbo," New York Times," July iii, 1985.
2 Tom Verducci, "The Left Arm of God," Sports Illustrated, July 12, 1999.
3 Maury Allen, "Koufax Labors in Obscurity of Dodger System," New York Post, September fifteen, 1983.
4 Verducci.
five Ed Guver, "Ii Southpaws — the Best of Their Eras," Philadelphia Inquirer. April 9, 2000.
half-dozen Milton Gross, "Call Him Lucky," New York Mail service, October 10, 1965.
7 Co-ordinate to an Associated Printing clipping in Koufax's Hall of Fame player file, "Braun Existent name of Sandy Koufax," Jack Braun was a 6-footer with features that resembled his son's. Braun was function-owner of a business organisation that distributed records. With his second wife, he had a daughter named Marie, born in 1946.
8 Sandy Koufax with Ed Linn, Koufax (New York: Viking Press, 1966), sixteen-28.
9 Bob Broeg, "Sandy Started Slowly … Simply Oh What a Terminate," The Sporting News, August 14, 1971.
ten Koufax with Linn.
xi Koufax with Linn, 16-28.
12 Koufax with Linn, 38.
13 Phil Pepe, "Koo: At Starting time He Succeeded," New York Daily News, August 6, 1971.
14 infinitecardset.blogspot.com/2010/10/52-sandy-koufax-and-coney-island.html.
15 Broeg.
xvi Pepe.
17 Ibid.
xviii Broeg; Richard Sandomir, "Koufax's Change-Up: He Talks With ESPN," New York Times, April 2, 1999.
19 Associated Printing, "Sandy Was Sometimes Special," New York Post, April 2, 1974.
20 Koufax and Linn, 43-44.
21 Broeg.
22 Koufax and Linn, 49-50.
23 Koufax and Linn, 47.
24 "Sandy Finally Signed With Persistent Dodgers," The Sporting News, Baronial xiv, 1971.
25 Broeg.
26 "Sandy finally Signed."
27 Broeg.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid.
30 Ibid.
31 Carl Erskine, telephone interview with Marc Z. Aaron, October 26, 2012 (hereafter Erskine phone interview).
32 Joe Resnick, Associated Press, "Lasorda Remembers Being Replaced by Koufax," June seven, 2005.
33 Koufax and Linn, 110-111.
34 The Sporting News, January 4, 1956: 33. The Sporting News, October 26, 1955: 11.
35 Melvin Durslag, "Sandy Koufax the Strikeout Rex," The Sat Evening Post, July fourteen, 1962.
36 Koufax and Linn, 113-114.
37 Koufax and Linn, 114-118.
38 Thomas E. Van Hyning, The Santurce Crabbers (Jefferson, Due north Carolina: McFarland & Co., 1999), 77.
39 Erskine telephone interview.
40 Koufax and Linn, 134.
41 Erskine phone interview.
42 Joel Sherman, "Mets Soak in Some Koufax Greatness," New York Postal service, March 17, 1998.
43 Durslag, "Sandy Koufax."
44 Beak Libby, "The Sophistication of Sandy Koufax," Sport, September 1963.
45 Koufax and Linn, 142.
46 Broeg.
47 Ibid.
48 Koufax and Linn, 187.
49 Sports Illustrated, "Koufax on Koufax," December twenty, 1965.
l Verducci.
51 Sherman.
52 Koufax and Linn, 8-9.
53 Melvin Durslag, "Challenging Sandy Was Fascination and Hopeless," The Sporting News, February 12, 1972.
54 Richard Lamparski, Whatever Became of… (seventh series) (New York: Crown Publishers, April 1978).
55 Verducci.
56 Sports Illustrated, "Koufax on Koufax."
57 Broeg.
58 Ibid.
59 The others: Dean Chance, Juan Marichal, Bob Gibson, Jim Palmer, and John Tudor.
60 Erskine telephone interview.
61 Sports Illustrated, "Koufax on Koufax."
62 Ibid.
63 Sandy Koufax with Ed Linn, "My Special Globe Series Memories," Sport, Oct 1966.
64 Koufax and Linn, 237.
65 Broeg.
66 Koufax and Linn, 228.
67 Peter C. Bjarkman, "Keen Sandy and the Summer of '65'," Elysian Fields Quarterly, Wintertime 1998.
68 Ed Linn, "Koufax Remembered," Sports Illustrated, Jan 20, 1972.
69 Associated Printing, "Koufax to Miss Opener, Volition Observe Holy Twenty-four hour period," October ii, 1965.
70 "Koufax on Koufax"; Sportsman of the Year," Sports Illustrated, Dec twenty, 1965.
71 Hunter.
72 New York Post, April 11, 1966.
73 Koufax and Linn, 288.
74 Linn, "Koufax Remembered."
75 Bob Hunter, "No-Hit Game Koufax Goal Every Beginning," Los Angeles Times, June 18, 1966.
76 Phil Pepe, "Burden on Sandy," New York World Telegram, March eighteen, 1965.
77 Jeff Meyers, United Printing International, "Koufax Comes Through and Dodgers Clinch Pennant," September 30, 1966.
78 "Koufax 'Right On,' " Binghamton (New York) Press, January ii, 1972.
79 Leonard Koppett, "The Greatest Pitcher of Them All," New York Times Magazine, October 4, 1964.
80 Erskine telephone interview.
81 Bob Gibson was the winner fifty-fifty though he made three errors and had fewer assists than Koufax.
82 Associated Printing, "Koufax to Broadcast Baseball," December 30, 1966.
83 Milton Richman, Associated Press, "Pee Wee Reese Gets Give-and-take From Network," March seven, 1969.
84 Bob Hunter, "Sandy Says Zippo to Comeback Pitch past Dodgers," Los Angeles Times, November 9, 1968.
85 Erskine telephone interview
86 Associated Press, "Sandy Koufax, Ann [sic] Widmark Are Married," Jan 2, 1969.
87 Verducci.
88 Broeg.
89 Included amongst the clippings in Koufax's Hall of Fame library file was a copy of an uncashed check, dated Jan 26, 1972, made out to Vic Lapiner with a handwritten note that stated, "Beloved Vic, Here's your blood coin. Honestly I can say it is a bet I'm happy to lose. I don't think it would exist fun to be judged yearly. Hope all are well, and have a good twelvemonth. Every bit always, Sandy." In a telephone interview on May 16, 2012, Lapiner said that shortly before the Hall of Fame voting he bet Koufax that he would get into the Hall on the kickoff ballot in January 1972. Lapiner was a pitcher in the Cleveland and Kansas City farm systems and a star athlete at USC. He met Koufax when he continued his baseball game career by throwing batting practice for various teams including the Dodgers. They built up a strong friendship, maybe in office because Lapiner is also Jewish.
xc Maury Allen, "Koufax Return Stirs memories," New York Mail service, February 6, 1979.
91 Jack Craig, SporTView column, Boston World, March 17, 1973; Ralph Bernstein, "Sandy Koufax Says Transition from Playing Field to Telecasting Was Non an Easy Motility," Utica Daily Printing, Feb 8, 1968.
92 Maury Allen.
93 Gordon Verrell, "Recluse Koufax Steps Back Into the Game," The Sporting News, Feb 17, 1979.
94 Edvins Beitiks, "Koufax Says He's Happy to Be Compared With Gooden," San Francisco Examiner, undated clipping from 1986 or 1987 in Koufax's Hall of Fame histrion file.
95 Verducci.
96 Third spousal relationship confirmed with Sandy Koufax past phone on November 17, 2015. former.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/kessler200604032246.asp; Ronald Kessler, Laura Bush-league: An Intimate Portrait of the Starting time Lady (New York: Broadway Books, 2007).
97 This is the author's observation after a lengthy subscription to Google Alerts.
98 Dylan Hernandez, "Dodgers and Sandy Koufax Team Upwardly Again Afterward Years Apart," Los Angeles Times, Jan 22, 2013.
100 Marker Knoller, "Obama Honors Jewish Americans at White House Reception," cbsnews.com, May 27, 2010.
101 Koufax and Linn, 39.
102 Jeff Jacobs, "At 63, Koufax Still Elusive," Hartford Courant, October 26, 1999.
103 Jeff Arnold, "Joe Torre Reflects on Sandy Koufax in Accelerate of Dodger Legend's Pump Foundation Honor," ThePostGame.com, Baronial 8, 2012 (thepostgame.com/blog/men-action/201208/sandy-koufax-joe-torre-tony-larussa-pump-brothers-foundation-cancer).
104 Greg Beacham, Associated Printing, "Sandy Koufax a Commanding Presence in Dodgers' Spring Preparation," February 24, 2013.
105 Hernandez.
Source: https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/sandy-koufax/
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