Sandy Koufax facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandy Koufax
Publicity still of Koufax, c. 1965
Pitcher
Born: (1935-12-30) December 30, 1935 (age 89) Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Batted: Right Threw: Left
debut
June 24, 1955, for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Last appearance
October 2, 1966, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
MLB statistics
Win–loss record	165–87
Earned run average	2.76
Strikeouts	2,396
Teams
Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers (1955–1966)
Career highlights and awards
7× All-Star (1961–1962, 1963–1966) 4× World Series champion (1955, 1959, 1963, 1965) NL MVP (1963) 3× Cy Young Award (1963, 1965, 1966) 2× World Series MVP (1963, 1965) 3× Triple Crown (1963, 1965, 1966) 3× NL wins leader (1963, 1965, 1966) 5× NL ERA leader (1962–1966) 4× NL strikeout leader (1961, 1963, 1965, 1966) Pitched a perfect game on September 9, 1965 Pitched four no-hitters Los Angeles Dodgers No. 32 retired Major League Baseball All-Century Team Major League Baseball All-Time Team
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1972
Vote	86.9% (first ballot)

Sanford "Sandy" Koufax (born December 30, 1935) is an American former baseball pitcher. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. People often call him "the Left Arm of God" because he was such an amazing pitcher.

Many consider Koufax one of the best pitchers ever. He was the first player to win the Cy Young Award three times. This award goes to the best pitcher in baseball. He also won the National League Most Valuable Player award in 1963. Koufax retired at just 30 years old because of pain in his pitching elbow. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, becoming the youngest player ever to join at 36.

Koufax grew up in Brooklyn, New York. He mostly played basketball when he was younger. He had only pitched a few baseball games before the Brooklyn Dodgers signed him at age 19. Because of a special rule, he went straight to the major leagues. He never played in the minor leagues. This meant he didn't get much practice. His manager, Walter Alston, didn't always trust him. Koufax didn't play much in his first six seasons. He almost quit baseball in 1960 because he was frustrated.

But after making some changes in 1961, Koufax became a superstar. He was an All-Star in his last six seasons. He led the National League (NL) in earned run average for five years in a row. He also led in strikeouts four times and wins three times. Koufax was the first pitcher in the modern era to have an earned run average below 2.00 in three different seasons. He was also the first to get 300 strikeouts in a season three times.

Koufax won the pitching Triple Crown three times. This means he led the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. He helped the Dodgers win the pennant (league championship) each of those years. He was the first major league pitcher to throw four no-hitters. This includes a perfect game in 1965. He won the World Series MVP award twice. He led the Dodgers to World Series titles in 1963 and 1965.

Even though his career was short, his 2,396 career strikeouts were seventh-most in history at the time. His 40 shutouts were also among the best. He was the first pitcher to average more than nine strikeouts per nine innings pitched and allow fewer than seven hits per nine innings pitched. Koufax and his teammate Don Drysdale were important in baseball's labor movement. They held out for a fairer contract before the 1966 season. Koufax is also known as one of the greatest Jewish athletes. He chose not to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it was Yom Kippur, a Jewish holiday. This decision made him a hero in the American Jewish community.

After retiring, Koufax has mostly stayed out of the public eye. He makes public appearances only rarely. In 1966, he signed a contract to work as a broadcaster for NBC. But he didn't like being on camera or speaking publicly. He quit after six years. In 1979, Koufax became a pitching coach for the Dodgers' minor league teams. He left that job in 1990 but still visits during spring training. From 2013 to 2015, Koufax worked as a special advisor for the Dodgers. In 1999, he was named to the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. The Dodgers retired his number 32 in 1972. A statue of him was put up outside Dodger Stadium in 2022.

Early Life and Baseball Start

Sandy Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, on December 30, 1935. He grew up in a Jewish family. His parents divorced when he was three. His mother later married Irving Koufax, and Sandy took his last name.

Sandy went to Lafayette High School in Brooklyn. He was much better known for basketball than baseball. He was captain of his basketball team in his senior year. When he was 15, Koufax joined a local youth baseball league. He started as a catcher and then played first base. A coach named Milt Laurie saw him play. Laurie thought Koufax could be a pitcher. He asked the 17-year-old to pitch for his team.

1954 University of Cincinnati baseball team photo with Sandy Koufax (top row, 5th from the left)

Koufax went to the University of Cincinnati. He joined the freshman basketball team. In 1954, he made the college baseball team. He pitched well, with 51 strikeouts in 32 innings. A scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Bill Zinser, wrote a great report about him.

Koufax also tried out for the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates. During his Pirates tryout, his fastball was so fast it broke the thumb of their coach! The Pirates' general manager, Branch Rickey, said Koufax had the "greatest arm [he had] ever seen." But the Pirates offered him a contract too late.

Dodgers scout Al Campanis heard about Koufax. He invited him to a tryout at Ebbets Field. Dodgers manager Walter Alston and scouting director Fresco Thompson watched. Campanis later said that seeing Koufax throw was as amazing as seeing the Sistine Chapel. The Dodgers signed Koufax for a $6,000 salary and a $14,000 signing bonus. Koufax planned to use the money for college if baseball didn't work out.

Professional Baseball Career

When Koufax signed, there was a special rule called the bonus rule. It said that if a team gave a player a bonus over $4,000, they had to keep him on their main roster for two seasons. This meant Koufax went straight to the major leagues. He never played in the minor leagues.

During his first spring training, Koufax had a sore arm. He had only pitched a few games in his life. He didn't know much about pitching, like how to hold runners on base. He later said, "The only signs I knew were one finger for fastball and two for a curve." Because he skipped the minor leagues, it took him longer to learn everything.

Early Years (1955–1960)

Koufax early in his Dodger career

Koufax was called a "bonus baby" because of his large signing bonus. The Dodgers had to keep him on their main team. To make space, they sent future Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda to the minor leagues. Lasorda later joked that it took Koufax to keep him off the team.

Koufax made his first major league appearance on June 24, 1955. He struggled with control, walking many batters. His first start was on July 6, but he only lasted a few innings. On August 27, Koufax pitched his first complete game shutout. He allowed only two hits and won 7–0 against the Cincinnati Reds. He finished 1955 with two wins, both shutouts.

A ticket from the game where Koufax earned his first career win

The 1956 season was similar. Koufax had a very fast fastball but struggled to control it. He pitched only a few innings. His manager, Walter Alston, would often take him out of games quickly. Jackie Robinson, a teammate, saw Koufax's talent. He disagreed with Alston benching Koufax for weeks.

To get ready for the 1957 season, Koufax played winter baseball in Puerto Rico. On May 15, the rule that kept him in the majors was lifted. Alston gave him a chance to prove himself. The next day, Koufax struck out 13 batters. He pitched his first complete game in almost two years. He joined the starting rotation for a short time. On September 29, he pitched the last inning for the Brooklyn Dodgers before they moved to Los Angeles.

After the 1957 season, Koufax and teammate Don Drysdale served six months in the United States Army Reserve.

Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax changing parts on a 2 1/2-ton truck at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Van Nuys, California

For the next three seasons, Koufax was in and out of the starting lineup. This was due to injuries and his control issues. In 1958, he started well but sprained his ankle. He finished the season with an 11–11 record. In June 1959, Koufax set a record for strikeouts in a night game with 16. On August 31, he tied the major league record with 18 strikeouts in one game.

In 1959, the Dodgers won the pennant and then beat the Chicago White Sox in the World Series. Koufax pitched well in Game 5, but the Dodgers lost 1–0. The Dodgers won the Series in Game 6.

By early 1960, Koufax was frustrated. He asked the Dodgers to trade him because he wasn't playing enough. He even thought about quitting baseball after the season. He threw his gloves and spikes in the trash. But the clubhouse manager saved them, hoping Koufax would return.

Becoming a Star (1961–1964)

1961 Season: A Breakthrough Year

Koufax in 1961

Koufax decided to try baseball for one more year in 1961. He worked harder than ever before to get in shape. A scout noticed a small problem in his pitching motion. A teammate, Norm Sherry, told him to throw a little less hard to get better control. This advice worked! Koufax started to pitch much better.

A statistician for the Dodgers, Allan Roth, also helped Koufax. He showed Koufax how important it was to throw first-pitch strikes. He also taught him the benefits of different types of pitches.

1961 was Koufax's breakout season. He won 18 games and led the league with 269 strikeouts. This broke a 58-year-old record. He was chosen as an All-Star for the first time.

1962 Season: Moving to Dodger Stadium

In 1962, the Dodgers moved to Dodger Stadium. This new park was much better for pitchers. Koufax immediately benefited, lowering his home ERA (earned run average) from 4.29 to 1.75. On April 24, he tied his own record with 18 strikeouts in a game. On June 30, he threw his first no-hitter against the New York Mets. In that game, he struck out all three batters in the first inning on just nine pitches. This is called an "immaculate inning."

1962 Bell Brand Sandy Koufax

Koufax had a great season despite an injured pitching hand. He developed numbness in his left index finger. He ignored it at first, but by July, his whole hand was numb. Doctors found he had a crushed artery in his palm. After treatment, he pitched again in September. The team was in a close race for the pennant with the Giants. Koufax was not as effective after his injury. The Giants caught the Dodgers, forcing a three-game playoff. Koufax started the first playoff game but was taken out early. The Dodgers lost the pennant.

1963 Season: MVP and Cy Young Award

In 1963, Major League Baseball changed the strike zone. This made it harder for batters to get hits. Koufax's control improved even more. He reduced his walks allowed per nine innings to 1.7.

On May 11, Koufax threw his second no-hitter against the Giants. He almost pitched a perfect game, allowing only two walks. From July 3 to July 16, he pitched 33 innings in a row without allowing a run. He threw three shutouts during this time. The Dodgers won the pennant. Koufax won the first of his three pitching Triple Crowns. He led the league in wins (25), strikeouts (306), and ERA (1.88). He also threw 11 shutouts, a record for a left-handed pitcher.

Koufax won the NL MVP Award and the Cy Young Award. He was the first player ever to win the Cy Young Award by a unanimous vote. At this time, only one Cy Young Award was given for both leagues.

In the 1963 World Series, Koufax faced the Yankees. In Game 1, he struck out 15 batters, breaking a World Series record. The Dodgers swept the Yankees in four games. Koufax won the Series MVP Award for his amazing performance.

1964 Season: More Injuries

Koufax's 1964 season started with high hopes. On April 18, he threw another "immaculate inning" with three strikeouts on nine pitches. But on April 22, he felt something "let go" in his arm. He had to get shots for a sore elbow and missed three starts.

On June 4, Koufax threw his third no-hitter. He tied Bob Feller for the most no-hitters in the modern era. He only allowed one batter to reach base, who was then caught stealing.

In August, Koufax injured his pitching arm again. He jammed it while diving back to second base. He managed to win two more games. But after his 19th win, his arm was very swollen. Doctors diagnosed him with arthritis. He could not pitch again that season. He finished with a 19–5 record and led the NL with a 1.74 ERA.

Salary Dispute and Holdout

After his successful 1963 season, Koufax asked the Dodgers for a raise. He felt he deserved more money. But the Dodgers' general manager, Buzzie Bavasi, didn't agree at first. He used excuses like Koufax not pitching enough innings. Koufax was upset and almost didn't sign his contract. They finally agreed on a salary.

Then, a newspaper printed a false story. It said Koufax had threatened to retire if he didn't get a huge salary. Koufax was angry because it made him look greedy. He told reporters the story was wrong. He suspected someone in the Dodgers' front office leaked the false information. Even after meeting with the team owner, Koufax's relationship with the front office was never the same.

1966 Season: Playing Through Pain

The 1965 season brought even more challenges for Koufax. His left arm was badly bruised from internal bleeding. Doctors told him he would be lucky to pitch once a week. They also warned him he might lose full use of his arm. Koufax decided not to throw between games, but this didn't last. To get through games, he took pain medication and soaked his arm in ice.

On June 20, Koufax pitched his second one-hitter. Despite the constant pain, he pitched the most innings in the major leagues that year. He led the Dodgers to another pennant. Koufax won his second pitching Triple Crown. He led the league in wins (26), ERA (2.04), and strikeouts (382). This was the highest strikeout total in the modern era at the time. He also won his second unanimous Cy Young Award.

Perfect Game

On September 9, 1965, Koufax made history. He became the sixth pitcher in the modern era to throw a perfect game. This means no batter reached base against him. It was Koufax's fourth no-hitter, a new major league record. He struck out 14 batters in the 1–0 win. The opposing pitcher also pitched a one-hitter, making it a very rare game with almost no hits. The only run was scored without a hit, due to a walk, a sacrifice, a stolen base, and a throwing error.

World Series and Yom Kippur

Koufax chose not to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series. This was because it was Yom Kippur, a very important Jewish holiday. His decision made national news. It showed the conflict between his career and his personal beliefs. His teammate, Drysdale, pitched Game 1, but the Minnesota Twins won.

In Game 2, Koufax pitched six innings, but the Twins won again. The Dodgers fought back and tied the series. In Game 5, Koufax pitched a complete-game shutout. The Dodgers took a 3–2 lead. The Series went back to Minnesota for Game 6, which the Twins won.

Koufax started Game 7 with only two days of rest. He was tired and in pain. He couldn't throw his curveball well, so he relied mostly on his fastball. Despite this, Koufax threw a three-hit shutout to win the Series for the Dodgers. He earned his second World Series MVP award. He was also named Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year.

1966 Season: Final Year

Before the 1966 season, Koufax and Drysdale met with the general manager to discuss their contracts. They realized the manager was trying to play them against each other. Drysdale's wife suggested they negotiate together. They asked for a lot of money, which was unusual at the time. They were represented by a lawyer, which was also new for baseball players.

Koufax and Drysdale did not report to spring training. Instead, they signed to appear in a movie. The Dodgers tried to turn public opinion against them. After four weeks, Koufax told Drysdale to negotiate new deals for both of them. Koufax ended up getting $125,000, making him the highest-paid player in baseball for 1966. Drysdale got $110,000. This "holdout" was a big moment in baseball history. It was the first time players seriously challenged team owners.

In April 1966, doctors told Koufax he should retire. His arm could not handle another season. He kept this a secret. He had already decided 1966 would be his last year. He pitched every fourth day, not missing a single start. He won his third pitching Triple Crown. He had a 27–9 record, 317 strikeouts, and a 1.73 ERA. No left-handed pitcher has had more wins or a lower ERA since then. In the last game of the season, Koufax pitched a complete game to win the pennant for the Dodgers.

The Dodgers faced the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series. Game 2 was Koufax's third start in eight days. He pitched well, but three errors by Dodgers center fielder Willie Davis led to three unearned runs. The Dodgers' offense struggled, scoring only one run in the entire series. The Orioles swept the Dodgers in four games.

Retirement

On November 18, 1966, just weeks after the World Series, Koufax announced his retirement. He held a press conference at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

His retirement shocked the baseball world. Koufax told a friend that he could have kept pitching. But he would have risked permanent disability. He said, "I can't keep using the cortisone... The doctors told me the cortisone will probably harm my kidneys and liver if I keep taking it." He later said he never regretted retiring when he did. But he did regret having to make the decision.

His retirement ended an amazing five-year period. During that time, Koufax had a record of 111 wins and 34 losses. His earned run average was 1.95, and he had 1,444 strikeouts. He led the Dodgers to three pennants and two World Series titles. He was named World Series MVP in both of those wins. He also won Cy Young Awards in each pennant-winning year. The year after he retired, the Dodgers fell from first place to eighth.

Career Highlights and Achievements

In his 12-season major league career, Koufax had 165 wins and 87 losses. His earned run average was 2.76. He had 2,396 strikeouts, 137 complete games, and 40 shutouts. He was the first pitcher to allow fewer than seven hits per nine innings (6.79). He was also the first to strike out more than nine batters per nine innings (9.28). He retired with more career strikeouts than innings pitched. For the 1960s, he had the lowest ERA (2.36) and lowest WHIP (1.005) of any pitcher with many innings.

Koufax was the first pitcher to win three Cy Young Awards. This was especially impressive because only one award was given for both major leagues at the time. He was also the first pitcher to win the award by a unanimous vote, which he did three times.

He was the first pitcher in baseball history to have two games with 18 or more strikeouts. He also had eight games with at least 15 strikeouts. He set a record with 97 games where he had at least 10 strikeouts. In his last ten seasons, batters hit only .203 against him. His streak of five consecutive ERA titles is a Major League record. He also led the majors in WHIP four times and FIP six times, both also records.

Since the start of the modern baseball era, Koufax is one of only nine pitchers to have multiple seasons with 10+ WAR. He is also the only one to have an ERA under 1.90 in three different seasons. From 1961 to 1966, he had six seasons in a row with over 200 strikeouts.

Koufax is known as one of the greatest pitchers in important games. In his three World Series losses, Koufax only gave up one earned run in each game. But the Dodgers' offense scored only one run in total to support him in those games. His 22 consecutive World Series scoreless innings streak is the fourth-longest in World Series history.

He was selected as an All-Star for six seasons in a row. He pitched six innings across four All-Star games. He was the winning pitcher in the 1965 All-Star Game.

Pitching Style

Koufax striding towards home plate

Koufax was a power pitcher. He threw the ball with a strong, over-the-top arm motion. He used his strong legs and back to get a lot of speed. He also had unusually large hands. This helped him put a lot of spin on his pitches and control where they went.

Koufax was a quiet person, but he was very competitive when he pitched. He once said, "The art of pitching is instilling fear." He wasn't afraid to throw pitches close to batters to make them uncomfortable.

He mostly used two main pitches. His four-seam fastball seemed to rise as it got to the batter. This was because of the heavy backspin he put on it. His overhand curveball dropped very sharply. Many people think it was the best curveball of all time.

Koufax also had a changeup, but he rarely used it. He later replaced it with a forkball. In his final seasons, he also started throwing a cutter because his fastball was losing some speed.

Life After Playing Baseball

Koufax (left) as a pitching coach for the Dodgers during spring training, c. 1979

After retiring, Koufax signed a 10-year contract to be a broadcaster for NBC. He would commentate on the Saturday Game of the Week. But Koufax was shy and didn't like being on camera. He also found it hard to talk about baseball with people who hadn't played professionally. He quit after six years.

In 1979, the Dodgers hired Koufax as a minor league pitching coach. He worked with many young pitchers, including future Hall of Famers Orel Hershiser and Pedro Martínez. He even learned how to throw a split-finger fastball so he could teach it. He left this job in 1990 but still visits spring training informally.

Koufax also visited other teams during spring training. New York Mets pitcher Al Leiter said Koufax helped him become a better pitcher.

In 2013, the Dodgers hired Koufax again. This time, he was a special advisor to the team chairman. He worked with pitchers during spring training. He retired from this role in 2016.

Koufax is also involved with the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.). This group helps former baseball players who are having financial or medical problems.

Awards and Recognition

Sandy Koufax's number 32 was retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1972.

Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972. It was his first year of being eligible. At 36 years old, he became the youngest person ever elected. He was also the second Jewish player to join the Hall of Fame.

Koufax's plaque at the Baseball Hall of Fame

On June 4, 1972, the Dodgers retired Koufax's uniform number 32. His number hangs alongside those of Roy Campanella (39) and Jackie Robinson (42). On June 18, 2022, a statue of Koufax was put up at Dodger Stadium. It stands next to the statue of Jackie Robinson.

In 1999, The Sporting News ranked Koufax number 26 on its list of "Baseball's 100 Greatest Players." That same year, he was named one of 30 players on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. In 2020, The Athletic ranked him number 70 on its "Baseball 100" list.

Koufax was voted one of the four greatest living players by fans in 2015. He was chosen alongside Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, and Johnny Bench. Before the 2015 All-Star Game, he threw the first pitch to Johnny Bench.

In 2022, The Sporting News named Koufax to their "Los Angeles Mount Rushmore of Sports." He was honored with basketball players Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Kobe Bryant. A sportswriter called him "Los Angeles' first baseball icon."

Legacy

Impact on the Jewish Community

Koufax was very important in the Jewish community. Jewish men were sometimes seen as weak or not athletic. Koufax, who became a star athlete, helped change that image. His decision to not pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it was Yom Kippur made him an icon for American Jews.

Koufax in the East Room during the White House celebration of Jewish American Heritage Month, May 2010

Rabbi Rebecca Alpert explained that his decision mattered a lot to Jewish men growing up then. She said Koufax was an important role model and hero. Rabbi Bruce Lustig said Koufax helped change how people saw Jews. He was a good-looking, powerful Jewish player who didn't seek fame or money.

Koufax was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1979. He also joined the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. His image is part of a mural outside Canter's Deli in Los Angeles. This mural celebrates the history of the Jewish community in the city.

In May 2010, Koufax was honored at the White House for Jewish American Heritage Month. President Barack Obama mentioned him directly. The mention of Koufax's name got the loudest cheer in the room. That same year, he was a main subject in the film Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story.

Relationship with Other Minorities

Early in his career, Koufax was seen as a friend to minority players. His teammate Maury Wills said they would sort through racist and antisemitic mail together. Pitcher Joe Black said Koufax would always sit with the Black players in restaurants. The clubhouse manager's wife said Koufax was the only player who knew her name.

People felt Koufax understood minorities because he was Jewish. He faced antisemitism himself. A writer said that if Koufax had been from a different background, he would have been seen as a perfect American hero. But because he was Jewish, he was sometimes seen as moody or different. This meant he was held to a higher standard, like other minorities. He identified with them, and they identified with him.

Personal Life

Koufax at the 2014 Baseball Writers' Association of America dinner

Koufax grew up in a non-religious Jewish home. He did not have a bar mitzvah. But a biographer said he was "very Jewish in his thinking." His grandfather taught him about Jewish values and culture. Koufax's choice not to pitch on Jewish holidays was out of respect for his culture.

Even though he was a huge star, Koufax has kept a low profile since retiring. He rarely gives interviews. He is known for being shy and private. Koufax once said, "My friends don't think I'm a recluse." He just wasn't comfortable with being famous.

In 1962, Koufax invested in a motel and started a radio station. He sold both after he retired from baseball.

Koufax has been married three times. He has no biological children. But he is the stepfather of his third wife's daughter and has two step-grandchildren.

In 2009, Koufax was one of the victims of the Ponzi scheme run by Bernie Madoff. His friend, Mets owner Fred Wilpon, had suggested he invest with Madoff. Despite this, Koufax supported Wilpon.

He lives in Vero Beach, Florida, and also in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. In his 40s and 50s, Koufax became very active. He took up running and ran in marathons. He also plays golf and attends college basketball championships.

See also

In Spanish: Sandy Koufax para niños