SABR Digital Library: Sandy Koufax

Sandy Koufax, edited by Marc Z. Aaron, Bill Nowlin, and Glen Sparks

Sandy Koufax
Edited by Marc Z. Aaron, Bill Nowlin, and Glen Sparks
Associate editors: Len Levin and Carl Riechers
Publication date: September 9, 2024

ISBN (ebook): 978-1-960819-26-0, $9.99
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-960819-27-7, $24.95
8.5″ x 11″, 186 pages

SABR’s Digital Library book on Sandy Koufax explores what made him so special in baseball and American society through 17 insightful essays and recaps of 36 key games in his career. Touching on subjects from Koufax’s potential basketball career, his relationship with manager Walt Alston, celebrity culture in Los Angeles, and his effect on the hurlers who came after him, to analyses of Koufax’s stats and records, Sandy Koufax takes a deep dive into one of baseball’s true greats.

Many pitchers enjoyed longer careers than Sandy Koufax. Few, however, reached the glorious heights of this Dodgers left-hander. Signed as a bonus baby at the age of 19, the Brooklyn native spent his early years battling control issues while also displaying occasional flashes of brilliance. Finally, frustrated and on the verge of retirement, he decided, “I was really going to find out how good I can be.”

In 1961, in his seventh big-league season, Koufax led the majors in strikeouts. From 1962-66, he compiled a 111-34 won-loss record and a 1.95 ERA. He led the National League in ERA every season during that span, hurled four no-hitters, and won three Cy Young awards. Hitters feared his devastating mix of fastballs and curveballs. The great slugger Willie Stargell once said, “Trying to hit Sandy Koufax was like drinking coffee with a fork.” In eight World Series games, he posted a 0.95 ERA.

Unfortunately, Koufax also battled arm injuries. Tired of all the pain medication, he called it quits after the 1966 season, a few months before his 31st birthday, his place in the Baseball Hall of Fame assured.

Koufax is revered in the Jewish community, even among non-Dodger fans, for his decision not to pitch in Game One of the 1966 World Series, which was scheduled on the Yom Kippur holy day. “There was no hard decision for me,” Koufax said. “It was just a thing of respect.”

Sandy Koufax is a collaborative effort of 47 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR).


SABR Biography

Sandy Koufax delivers a pitch during his third career no-hitter on June 4, 1964 (SABR-Rucker Archive)Sandy Koufax delivers a pitch during his third career no-hitter on June 4, 1964. (SABR-Rucker Archive)

Click here to read more about Sandy Koufax’s life and legacy at the SABR BioProject


Below: Find memorable game stories and essays
from SABR’s Sandy Koufax

Game Recaps

April 14, 1964: Sandy Koufax stifles Cardinals in his only career Opening Day start

April 24, 1962: ‘Human Strikeout Machine’ Sandy Koufax strikes out 18 in the Windy City

August 16, 1964: Sandy Koufax blanks Cardinals but receives ominous medical diagnosis

August 22, 1965: Marichal-Koufax duel gets ugly at Candlestick Park

August 27, 1955: Teenage Sandy Koufax strikes out 14 in first big-league win

August 29, 1963: Sandy Koufax meets a milestone, wins 20th game of season

August 31, 1959: Sandy Koufax strikes out 18 Giants to tie major-league record

July 27, 1966: Sandy Koufax and Jim Bunning combine for 28 strikeouts over 11 innings

July 6, 1955: A wild beginning: Sandy Koufax loses in his first start for Dodgers

June 12, 1965: Sandy Koufax remains undefeated against the Mets in 12th start

June 13, 1962: Sandy Koufax hits first home run to beat Warren Spahn and Braves

June 18, 1962: Sandy Koufax beats Bob Gibson, 1-0; Tommy Davis hits walk-off home run in 9th

June 20, 1965: Sandy Koufax bests Warren Spahn, one-hits Mets

June 22, 1959: Sandy Koufax sets a night-game strikeout record and meets Saint Benny

June 24, 1955: Sandy Koufax makes his major-league debut for Brooklyn Dodgers

June 30, 1962: Sandy Koufax hurls first career no-hitter against Mets

June 4, 1964: Sandy Koufax ‘puts everything together’ in third career no-hitter

May 11, 1963: Sandy Koufax throws second no-hitter to beat Marichal, Giants

May 15, 1963: Sandy Koufax fans 12 Phillies and allows no walks in 12 innings

May 16, 1957: Koufax strikes out 13, combines with Cubs pitchers to tie NL strikeout record

May 17, 1965: Sandy Koufax strikes out 13 in an epic pitching duel at Astrodome

May 23, 1960: Sandy Koufax stops first-place Pirates with one-hitter

May 25, 1961: Sandy Koufax outduels Bob Gibson in Dodgers’ 1-0 victory

May 26, 1962: Sandy Koufax shines on the mound and at the plate

October 11, 1965: Koufax’s clutch hitting gives Dodgers a 3-2 Series lead

October 14, 1965: Koufax has nothing to atone for in Game 7 masterpiece

October 2, 1963: Sandy Koufax sets World Series strikeout record, fanning 15 Yankees

October 2, 1965: On two days’ rest, Sandy Koufax sends Dodgers to World Series

October 2, 1966: Sandy Koufax’s last regular-season hurrah

October 6, 1963: Koufax stifles Yankee bats again as Dodgers sweep World Series

September 11, 1966: Sandy Koufax throws his final career shutout to beat Astros

September 17, 1963: Sandy Koufax sets shutout record for southpaws in St. Louis

September 20, 1961: Hurricane Sandy strikes the West Coast

September 27, 1961: Sandy Koufax surpasses Mathewson for NL strikeout record in breakout season

September 3, 1955: Bonus baby Sandy Koufax pitches 5-hit shutout against Pirates for second win

September 9, 1965: ‘A million butterflies’ and one perfect game for Sandy Koufax

Essays

Contributors: Marc Z. Aaron, Jake Bell, Charlie Bevis, Luis Blandón Jr., Kurt Blumenau, Thomas J. Brown Jr., Paul Browne, Ken Carrano, Alan Cohen, Carter Cromwell, Richard Cuicchi, Larry DeFillipo, John Fredland, Craig Garretson, Ed Gruver, Vince Guerrieri, Andrew Harner, Bruce Harris, Jeff Howard, Mike Huber, Mark Kanter, Norm King, Kevin Larkin, Len Levin, Scott Martire, Les Masterson, Andy McCue, Chad Moody, Bill Nowlin, Tim Odzer, Tim Otto, Byron Petraroja, Bill Pruden, Carl Riechers, Howard Rosenberg, Quentin Sallat, Paul Semendinger, Paul Sinclair, Glen Sparks, Russ Speiller, Mark S. Sternman, Aaron Tallent, William M. “Matt” Vines, Steven C. Weiner, Sarah Wexler, Paul White, Brian Williams, and Gregory H. Wolf.

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