In June 1962, he was named the MLB Player of the Month. This was the only time in his career that he got this honor. Years later he recalled, "That winter was when I really started working out. By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. 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. (Courtesy of Passan via JTA). Koufax with the Los Angeles Dodgers, c. 1965, Major League Baseball pitchers who have won the, Baseball Anecdotes by Daniel Okrent and Steve Wulf, Harper and Row Publishers, 1989, The play-by-play data from which these averages were calculated are only available starting in 1957. Koufax used the signing amount to pay for his university education and readied himself to play in the major leagues. Please try again or choose an option below. Koufax also threw a curve that would drop 10-12-inches off the table. In March, after spring training was cancelled, my wife and I . Unlike other news outlets, we havent put up a paywall. He has since worked for the Dodgers organization in a variety of capacities. click the link in that email to complete your registration. To make room for him, the Dodgers optioned their future Hall of Fame manager, Tommy Lasorda, to the Montreal Royals of the International League. However, his position on the team did not improve, and neither did his performance. [2] The top pitchers of the era future Hall of Famers Drysdale, Juan Marichal, Jim Bunning, Bob Gibson, Warren Spahn - and above all Koufax significantly reduced the walks-given-up-to-batters-faced ratio for 1963 and subsequent years. Drysdale's wife Ginger suggested that they negotiate together to get what they wanted. She discusses what the experience may tell us about Jewish obligation, history and dignity. Only St. Louis Cardinal Bob Gibson, with 13 in his iconic 1968 season,[63] "the year of the pitcher", has thrown more.[64]. He also won three Cy Young Awards, one each for the years 1963, 1965, and 1966. This new Koufax led the National League in strikeouts (269 in 1961), and his walks and earned-run average began to shrink. The next season was not very good either. In the final game of the regular season, the Dodgers had to beat the Phillies to win the pennant. Baltimore's 20-year-old future Hall of Famer Jim Palmer pitched a four-hitter, and the Orioles won 60. [130], Koufax married Anne Widmark, the daughter of actor Richard Widmark, in 1969; they divorced in 1982. As Jews, we really gravitate toward things that have history and substance, Passan said. Being born on December 30 1935, Sandy Koufax is 87 years old as of today's date 27th February 2023. The advice worked, Koufax struck out the side, and then went on to pitch seven no-hit innings. But as the journalism we do is costly, we invite readers for whom The Times of Israel has become important to help support our work by joining The Times of Israel Community. As Koufax biographer, Jane Leavey, writes: Koufax was almost ready to bloom. [83], In Game 2 Koufax pitched six innings, giving up two runs, and the Twins won 51 to take an early 20 lead in the series. Koufax played his entire MLB career with the Dodgers. [48], 1961 was Koufax's breakout season. Im old enough to remember sitting in Mrs. Sorbys fourth grade class, in 1963, listening to Mel Allen of the New York Yankees, and Vin Scully of the Los Angeles Dodgers, taking turns to call the game. Then in 1961 and through 1962, a different Koufax emerged. Why Is Everyone Concerned About Cloud ROI? [69][70], Koufax's 1964 season started with great expectations. He was previously married to Kimberly Francis and Anne Heath Widmark. Whoosh! [65][66] It was not only the first of three times he would be a unanimous selection, it was the only Cy Young Award given out for both leagues during his career; separate awards for each league were presented starting in 1967. Sandy Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, and at first, he wanted to be a basketball player instead of a baseball player. He would go on to cover sports at Syracuse University, the Fresno Bee, the Kansas City Star, Yahoo! [71], On June 4, playing at Connie Mack Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies, Koufax walked Richie Allen on a very close full-count pitch in the fourth inning. In that start, he struck out 11 in seven innings, but got no decision. 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. [30][31] Koufax threw 41+23 innings in 12 appearances that season, striking out 30 batters and walking 28. We know who we are, Passan said. [103], "I knew every pitch he was going to throw and still I couldn't hit him. [106] It not only appeared to move very late but also might move on multiple planes. He walked Ed Bailey on a 3-and-2 pitch in the eighth, and pinch-hitter McCovey on four pitches in the ninth, before closing out the game. The way that he represented himself, the way he honored Judaism, and, when it was an incredibly difficult thing, stuck by what mattered to him, I think thats applicable across religions, across cultures, across backgrounds, Passan said. Family (1) Spouse Kimberly Francis (1985 - 9 December 1998) (divorced) How many more people in the world (or in your world: your company, your family, your friends) are like Sandy Koufax? He was a lifelong liberal Democrat. 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. The lefty won three Cy Young Awards, threw four no-hitters and was 165-87 in a 12-year career with Brooklyn and Los Angeles. 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. In March, after spring training was cancelled, my wife and I watched the magisterial 9-part Ken Burns documentary, Baseball. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 03:20. [112] His third wife is Jane Dee Purucker Clarke, a college sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush. Most of his velocity came from his strong legs and back, combined with a high leg kick during his wind-up and long forward extension on his release point toward home plate. He was 89. [53][54] It would be the only time in his career he earned this distinction. This contains his possessions, funds, and earnings. Koufax obliged. I have an undying amount of respect for him for both doing that and just for the way that he has and continues to carry himself.. Wife's statement to paramedics key to charges . 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. Sandy Koufax is a devout Jew and is known as one of the most famous Jewish players to have graced the American sports scene. From 1963 to '66, Sandy Koufax had averaged a 24-7 record, 307 strikeouts and a 1.86 ERA, winning three out of four Cy Young awards at a time before each league had its own award. Actually, he would let you look at it. Los Angeles Dodgers Opening Day starting pitchers, Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, Columbia University School of General Studies, Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame, List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball annual wins leaders, List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders, List of Major League Baseball career WHIP leaders, List of Major League Baseball perfect games, List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise, List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball, "Sandy Koufax's refusal to pitch on Yom Kippur still resonates", "Sandy Koufax's season with UC Bearcats remembered", "Koufax Recalls His Wild Start At Forbes Field", Autographed 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Spring Training Roster Program - Army Reserves - 1957 Meal Card, Drysdale and Koufax on active duty training, How Sandy Koufaxs Motel Helped Lead to Baseballs Big-Money Era, Don Drysdale Collection at SCP - Part II - In the Army Now, Lot #23: DON DRYSDALE'S 1957-58 U.S. ARMY WORN FIELD JACKET (DRYSDALE COLLECTION), "Midsummer Classics: Celebrating MLB's All-Star Game", "Major League Baseball Players of the Month", "The Strike Zone: A Chronological Examination of the Official Rules by Baseball Almanac", "1962 National League Team Statistics and Standings", "1963 National League Team Statistics and Standings", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Shutouts", "1963 National League Statistics and Awards", "Joe Sobran My Other Sandy (ASCII version)", "1963 World Series box scores and play by play", "On this day 49 years ago, Sandy Koufax threw a perfect game in one hour and 43 minutes", "Domination in the Dome: Nolan Ryan Throws His Fifth No-Hitter", "Sandy Koufax turns 80: The 8 most memorable performances of his HOF career", "Every perfect game in Major League history, ranked", "Macon's Bob Hendley made history with Koufax", "Sandy Koufax Responded to a Higher Calling on Yom Kippur in 1965", "1965 World Series box scores and play by play", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Games Started", "Baltimore makes it two straight as Dodgers defense comes apart", "Elbow too much Sandy Koufax quitting baseball", "Progressive Leaders for Hits Allowed/9IP", "Career Leaders & Records for Earned Run Average", "Single-Season Leaders & Records for Wins", "The Incomparable Career of Sandy Koufax", "ESPN Classic Koufax's dominance was short but sweet", "ESPN Classic Koufax dominating in '65 Series", "Dodgers to be joined by Koufax at Spring Training", "Los Angeles Dodgers unveil Sandy Koufax statue outside stadium", "The Sporting News Selects Baseball's 100 Greatest Players", "Koufax makes appearance at World Series", "Baseball Toaster: Humbug Journal: He'll be working on 14,875 days rest", "Koufax Drafted By Israeli Baseball Team", "Koufax, Mays, Aaron, Bench voted by fans as four greatest living players", "Obama Honors Jewish Americans at White House Reception, May 27, 2010", "Remarks by the President at Reception in Honor of Jewish American Heritage Month", "Myth and fact part of legacy from Sandy Koufax's Yom Kippur choice", "Jewish pitcher Sandy Koufax did more than miss one game", "Sandy Koufax's wife Jane Purucker Clarke (Bio, Wiki)", "B.A.T. [81] Both pitchers had no-hitters intact until the seventh inning. 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. Change the world. When Koufax was nine, his mother married a lawyer named Irving Koufax. The Minnesota Twins and Carlos Correa made a mutual decision that the shortstop will skip the World Baseball Classic for family reasons, with his wife expecting a baby during the tournament. [2][102] Koufax and Juan Marichal are the only two pitchers to have more than one 25-win season in the post-World War II era, with each man recording three. In 1972, he was included in the Baseball Hall of Fame, thereby becoming the youngest player to have achieved the feat. [34] He saw little work, pitching only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts. 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. 1: Protests rage across the country in day of disruption, Political reporter Tal Schneider and US correspondent Jacob Magid discuss widespread demonstrations, US reaction to Huwara riot, warnings by ex-AG Mandelblit and US envoy Nides, Former attorney general: High Court must strike down regime coup laws if passed, Police detain eight more suspects over extremist settler rampage in Huwara, Law enforcement officials say three minors among suspects held in connection with mob violence in Palestinian town on suspicion of assault, arson, rioting; one later released, Settler extremists are sowing terror, Huwara riot was a pogrom, top general says, Suspects in Huwara settler rampage out of custody; IDF vows to probe lawlessness, UN Security Council to continue engaging on Israeli-Palestinian conflict, envoys say, UAE ambassador says members received concerning update on West Bank violence in private session, the third emergency meet since Netanyahu established government 2 months ago, PAs Abbas said to tell forces to resist IDF troops, settlers who enter our lands, Senior PLO member Azzam al-Ahmad says Palestinian troops told not to hesitate, emphasizes importance of national resistance, Settlers hurl stones at Palestinians, attack soldiers and police; five arrested, Ex-security chiefs urge Herzog to air unambiguous opposition to judicial overhaul, Letter declares presidents efforts to mediate talks with opposition on governments proposals have failed; signatories vow to use all legal and democratic means to fight plan, Elite IDF intel unit veterans threaten to boycott reserve duty over legal overhaul, Defense chief: Threats to refuse service over judicial shakeup harm Israels security, Senior IDF officer: Iran tried to drone strike two vessels in Arabian Sea last month, Speaking at INSS conference, Maj. 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[10] Shortly after his mother's remarriage, the family moved to the Long Island suburb of Rockville Centre. If you feel passionate about who you are, and something is important to you, even when its uncomfortable, you should stand by it. Throughout his career, Koufax relied heavily on two pitches. The performance earned him his second World Series MVP award, making him the first player to win the award twice. His death, at an assisted living facility, was confirmed by his son, Mike. [125], Koufax was included among a group of prominent Jewish Americans honored at a May 27, 2010, White House reception for Jewish American Heritage Month. Why Overcoming The Cybersecurity Labor Shortage Matters To Company Success, What Tolstoy Can Teach Us About Public Cloud Cost Optimization, The Secret, Insecure Life Of Security Cameras. Drysdale was to play a TV commentator and Koufax a detective. After the 1957 season, it was speculated that he could be sent to the minor leagues to get some more practice. But they lack the one thing that could mean everything. His zodiac sign is Capricorn. What I don't understand is how he lost five,"[67] to which Dodger shortstop Maury Wills responded, "He didn't. He achieved nationwide fame in 1963, when he scored 15 strikeouts in a single inning. He threw the ceremonial first pitch to Bench from in front of the base of the mound. Koufax then tied the knott Jane Purucker, who was at one point of her life, the sorority sister of former First Lady, Laura Bush. [15] In his only season, Koufax went 31 with a 2.81 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 30 walks in 32 innings. 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His ERAs were 1.88, 1.74, 2.04 and 1.73. Unlock their magic. So as Passan began work on his book, he knew he needed to talk to Koufax. [128] In addition, there were other Jewish holidays where he said he would not pitch, including Seder night of Passover and 3 times on Rosh Hashanah, one of which was Game 4 of the 1959 World Series. Soon, he joined the Edith and Carl Marks Jewish Community House of Bensonhurst, the local community-center team, and performed exceptionally well. Generally speaking, when Im talking to people, Ill call them by their first name. He started out as a left-handed catcher before moving to first base. [108] Late in his career, his tendency to tip pitches became even more pronounced. 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." His strikeouts were an otherworldly 306, 223, 382 and 313. There was one World Series where I think there were like seven or eight Jewish writers sitting in a row. They were married for 13 years but had no children together. [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. [119], In 1999, The Sporting News placed Koufax at number 26 on its list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players". The Dodgers won the 1955 World Series for the first title in franchise history, but Koufax did not appear in the series. honors Steinbrenner, Clemens at 15th annual dinner", "Sandy Koufax: Pitcher Nonpareil and Perfect Gentleman", "Close-Up: Good Life of Baseball's Number 1 Hero", National League Most Valuable Player Award, Major League Baseball combined Cy Young Award, National League Pitcher of the Year Award, Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year, Major League Baseball pitchers who have pitched a perfect game, Bums: An Oral History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Orel Hershiser's scoreless innings streak, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sandy_Koufax&oldid=1141250131, International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame inductees, National League Most Valuable Player Award winners, World Series Most Valuable Player Award winners, National League Pitching Triple Crown winners, Major League Baseball players with retired numbers, Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball players, Columbia University School of General Studies alumni, Lafayette High School (New York City) alumni, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, October 2,1966,for theLos Angeles Dodgers. 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. [2][75], On September 9, 1965, Koufax became the sixth pitcher of the modern era, and eighth overall, to throw a perfect game. He is an actor, known for 77 Sunset Strip (1958), Shotgun Slade (1959) and Michael Shayne (1960). But they had a pair of pitchers, one the intimidating Don Drysdale, who stood 65 and threw side-armed and straight at your chin if you dared to crowd the plate. Set them free. [50] In the first game he faced only one batter, giving up a hit to Al Kaline in the ninth inning. "[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. 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