And you still couldn't hit it. [62] He threw 11 shutouts, eclipsing Carl Hubbell's 30-year post-1900 mark for a left-handed pitcher of 10 and setting a record that stands to this day. Registering also lets you comment on articles and helps us improve your experience. [25] Koufax planned to use the money as tuition to finish his university education, if his baseball career failed. [14], Koufax attended the University of Cincinnati and was a walk-on on the freshman basketball team, a complete unknown to assistant coach Ed Jucker. Former father-in-law of Sandy Koufax. [44], Koufax tried one more year of baseball, showing up for the 1961 season in better condition than he ever had before. When Sandy Koufax was awarded a basketball scholarship to the University of Cincinnati in 1953, his plans included a career in architecture. Koufaxs pitching prowess aside, Passan praised the principled stance the former Dodger took all those years ago. Jane Purucker Clarke, is the third wife of legendary MLB pitcher Sandy Koufax. If so, please join The Times of Israel Community. [26], Because Koufax's signing bonus was greater than $4,000 ($40,000 today), he was known as a bonus baby. 7 According to an Associated Press clipping in Koufax's Hall of Fame player file, "Braun Real name of Sandy Koufax," Jack Braun was a 6-footer with features that resembled his son's. Braun was part-owner of a business that distributed records. As noted, Mrs. Clarke is Koufaxs wife number 3; back on January 1st, 1969, Sandy, known as the Left Hand of God, was married to Anne Koufax, formerly known asAnne H. Widmark, the daughter of actorRichard Widmark. The mention of his name brought the biggest cheer at the event. 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. Why Is Everyone Concerned About Cloud ROI? On July 20 he hit the second and last home run of his career, coincidentally again in Milwaukee, a three-run shot to propel the team to a 5-4 win; it was his only game with three runs batted in. I wish I had. He started out as a left-handed catcher before moving to first base. His primary source of income is his work as a baseball pitcher. Facing the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Koufax struck out 13 while pitching his first complete game in almost two years. However, the morning after his 19th win, a shutout in which he struck out 13 batters, he could not straighten his arm. He had a single-season record for 382 strikeouts in a year. [79][114] The Dodgers again hired Koufax in 2013 as a special advisor to team chairman Mark Walter to work with the pitchers during spring training and consult during the season. Despite the constant pain in his pitching elbow, he pitched a major league-leading 335+23 innings and led the Dodgers to another pennant. Ive watched Florence Griffith Joyner (Flojo) arrive like a meteor in 1988. Koufax pitched two perfect relief innings in the Series opener, though they came after the Dodgers were already behind 110. But they lack the one thing that could mean everything. "Either he throws the fastest ball I've ever seen, or I'm going blind," said Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn. [117] On June 4 of that year, Koufax's uniform number 32 was retired alongside those of Dodger greats Roy Campanella (39) and Jackie Robinson (42). I regret that I didnt include Sandy Koufaxs miraculous late blooming in my book, Late Bloomers. Koufax's pitching prowess aside, Passan praised the principled stance the former Dodger took all those years ago. The game also set a record for the fewest hits ever in a major league contest,[79][80] thanks to a one-hitter thrown by the opposing pitcher, Bob Hendley of the Cubs, who only allowed only two batters to reach base. 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. [106] It not only appeared to move very late but also might move on multiple planes. Its something that can be passed on from fathers and mothers to sons and daughters, he said. As noted, Mrs. Clarke is Koufax's wife number 3; back on January 1st, 1969, Sandy, known as the Left Hand of God, was married to Anne Koufax, formerly known as Anne H. Widmark, the daughter of actor Richard Widmark. However, due to changes in Hall practices, the 1972 induction ceremony was nearly eight months after the election, leaving Koufax slightly older than Gehrig, who had no formal induction ceremony, at the time of his induction. As Koufax biographer, Jane Leavey, writes: Koufax was almost ready to bloom. Despite the blazing speed of his fastball, Koufax continued to struggle with his control. Good hitters could often predict what pitch was coming, but were still unable to hit it. [50] He pitched six innings in four All-Star games,[100] including being the starting pitcher for three innings in the 1966 All-Star Game. Sandy Koufax Height and Weight Koufax stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 meters) and Weighs 210 lbs (95 kg). background-image:unset; [21] The Pirates, however, failed to offer Koufax a contract until after he was already committed to the Dodgers. Contact SABR, LnRiLWhlYWRpbmcuaGFzLWJhY2tncm91bmR7cGFkZGluZzowfQ==, LnRiLWZpZWxke21hcmdpbi1ib3R0b206MC43NmVtfS50Yi1maWVsZC0tbGVmdHt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOmxlZnR9LnRiLWZpZWxkLS1jZW50ZXJ7dGV4dC1hbGlnbjpjZW50ZXJ9LnRiLWZpZWxkLS1yaWdodHt0ZXh0LWFsaWduOnJpZ2h0fS50Yi1maWVsZF9fc2t5cGVfcHJldmlld3twYWRkaW5nOjEwcHggMjBweDtib3JkZXItcmFkaXVzOjNweDtjb2xvcjojZmZmO2JhY2tncm91bmQ6IzAwYWZlZTtkaXNwbGF5OmlubGluZS1ibG9ja311bC5nbGlkZV9fc2xpZGVze21hcmdpbjowfQ==, 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, http://sabr.org/sites/default/files/images/Koufax-Sandy-NBHOF.jpg, /wp-content/uploads/2020/02/sabr_logo.png, his perfect game at Dodger Stadium on September 9, 1965, old.nationalreview.com/interrogatory/kessler200604032246.asp. He is also the first pitcher to win the award by a unanimous votea recognition which he accomplished twice more. Legendary Dodgers pitcher Sandy Koufax thanks 46 people during a 10-minute speech at the unveiling of his statue at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. "[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. The performance earned him his second World Series MVP award, making him the first player to win the award twice. To get himself through the games he pitched, Koufax resorted to Empirin with codeine for the pain, which he took every night and sometimes during the fifth inning. [11] Koufax attended Brooklyn's Lafayette High School, where he was better known for basketball than for baseball. His performance, loaded with 269 strikeouts throughout the league, was heavily praised. [35], To prepare for the 1957 season, the Dodgers sent Koufax to Puerto Rico to play winter ball. In June 1959, Koufax set the record for a night game with 16 strikeouts. Family (1) Spouse Kimberly Francis (1985 - 9 December 1998) (divorced) (2000). [126], Koufax has been described by Sports Illustrated writer John Rosengren as a secular Jew. Most of his love for basketball can be attributed to the fact that Sandy was much taller than most of his classmates and teammates, which ensured a great career in the game. Sandy Koufax was born in Brooklyn, New York, and at first, he wanted to be a basketball player instead of a baseball player. Koufax won his second pitchers' Triple Crown, leading the league in wins (26), ERA (2.04) and strikeouts (382, the highest modern-day total at the time, topped only by Nolan Ryan's 383 in 1973), and captured his second unanimous Cy Young Award. [15] In his only season, Koufax went 31 with a 2.81 ERA, 51 strikeouts and 30 walks in 32 innings. He had a dominant fastball, but his control was dodgy. The family then moved to Long Island, and shortly after that, they moved back to Brooklyn. [120] He was also named that year as one of the 30 players on the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. This forced the Dodgers to keep him on the major league roster for at least two years before he could be sent to the minors. 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. Koufax, known for his on-the-field dominance and his refusal to pitch on Yom Kippur during the 1965 World Series, walked away from baseball at only 30 years old because of injury. So as Passan began work on his book, he knew he needed to talk to Koufax. Passan said he and his family celebrate Hanukkah hes a big fan of latkes and he fasts on Yom Kippur. In Koufax's first no-hitter, he struck out 13, including the side on nine pitches in the first inning. Sandy struggled to manage the control of his pitches, but his pace was good enough, which helped him survive in the team. [131], Koufax serves as a member of the advisory board of the Baseball Assistance Team, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping former major league, minor league, and Negro league players through financial and medical difficulties.[132]. [58] Compared to the previous season, walks in the NL fell 13 percent, strikeouts increased 6 percent, the league batting average fell from .261 to .245, and runs scored declined 15 percent. He has been hailed as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. In May 2010, he was invited to become a part of 'Jewish American Heritage Month' celebrations at 'The White House.' In 1969, Sandy Koufax married Anne Widmark, daughter of Hollywood actor Richard Widmark. The roughly first ten minutes of episode one are the finest television ever produced, in my opinion. Unlock their magic. Eddie Mathews bunted, and Koufax threw the ball into center field. background-color:#ba3434; "[24] The Dodgers signed Koufax for a $6,000 ($61,000 today) salary, with a $14,000 ($141,000 today) signing bonus. Koufax carried a perfect game into the eighth inning against the powerful Giants lineup, including Mays and fellow future Hall of Famers Willie McCovey and Orlando Cepeda. [99], Due to a lack of run support, Koufax's postseason won-lost record over four World Series is an unimpressive 43, but his historic 0.95 ERA and two World Series MVPs testify to how well he actually pitched. He achieved nationwide fame in 1963, when he scored 15 strikeouts in a single inning. After the last game of the season, he threw his gloves and spikes into the trash. I look at religion now as being a really important thing for lots of people, but the sort of thing that for me and my family, wed like for our children to be a little more worldly until, or if, they decide to choose to go the religious route, he said. Born Sanford Braun on 30th December, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, United States, he is famous for Three-time Cy Young Award winner. He pitched four no-hitters and one perfect game. And if youre growing up and want to be a baseball player, there are no limitations. Click the link in that email to complete registration so you can comment. [34] He saw little work, pitching only 58+23 innings with a 4.91 ERA, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts. [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. [130], Koufax married Anne Widmark, the daughter of actor Richard Widmark, in 1969; they divorced in 1982. [2][75], On September 9, 1965, Koufax became the sixth pitcher of the modern era, and eighth overall, to throw a perfect game. We know who we are, Passan said. [6] Drysdale pitched the opener, but was hit hard by the Minnesota Twins. 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. The couple divorced in 1982. Its different than Team USA or the Dominican Republic or Venezuela, he said. In the first inning, Koufax walked the bases loaded on 12 straight pitches. When Koufax allowed baserunners, he was rarely permitted to finish the inning. After the 1957 season, it was speculated that he could be sent to the minor leagues to get some more practice. 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. [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. Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 24 February 2023, at 03:20. But Koufax played for the Los. The next season was not very good either. Nobe Kawano, the clubhouse supervisor, retrieved the equipment in case Koufax returned to play the following year. Sherry, a backup catcher with the Dodgers, was his roommate. His second marriage, to personal trainer Kimberly Francis, lasted from 1985 to 1998. [43], In early 1960, Koufax asked Dodgers general manager Buzzie Bavasi to trade him because he was not getting enough playing time. His wife is Kimberly Francis (1985 - 9 December 1998) ( divorced), Anne Heath Widmark (1 January 1969 - 1982) ( divorced) Sandy Koufax Net Worth He was nominated for the 2019-2020 Class of New Jersey Hall of Fame in the Performing Arts category. The other aspect that has bonded Jews and baseball, Passan said, is its shared culture of family tradition. Sandy Koufax when he was young (Source: MyJewishLearning) [60], On May 11 Koufax no-hit the Giants 80, besting Marichalhimself a no-hit pitcher on June 15. Despite winning three of his next five with a 2.90 ERA, Koufax did not get another start for 45 days. [20] During his Pirates tryout, his fastball broke the thumb of Sam Narron, the team's bullpen coach. Koufax also threw a curve that would drop 10-12-inches off the table. At the age of 22, Koufax moved to Los Angeles after living in Brooklyn, New York, for 19 years. [9][12] In 1951, at the age of 15, Koufax also joined a local youth baseball league known as the "Ice Cream League". "[85] Drysdale responded that Bavasi had done the same thing with him, in reverse. At the age of thirty-six, he became the youngest player to get elected for Basketball hall of fame. Less than six weeks after the series, on Friday, November 18,[96][97] Koufax announced his retirement due to an arthritic elbow. He was introduced as a left-handed catcher and then moved to base. Incorrect password. He later played for the New York Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he was finally signed by the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers for a salary of US$ 6,000 with US$ 14,000 as a signing bonus. For every act of hatred and violence, we should add dozens of acts of kindness and charity, A year into the Russian invasion of Ukraine, What Matters Now to Ksenia Svetlova, What Matters Now to Prof. Suzie Navot: Guarding against a Frankenstate, What Matters Now to MK Simcha Rothman: The people should appoint the judges, US says it expects Israel to prosecute settlers involved in Huwara rampage, Dr. Susan Weiss: Five areas in which the override clause should terrify women, Rabbi Noa Sattath: We NGOs called enemies of the state will defend our rights, Adv. Sandys career was as its peak in the 1960s, when he became the ultimate wild card for his team, as a left-handed pitcher. Before tenth grade, Koufax's family moved back to the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. And what is it, exactly, about baseball that has endeared the sport to American Jews for so long? [10] Shortly after his mother's remarriage, the family moved to the Long Island suburb of Rockville Centre. In the second game of a doubleheader, Koufax faced Jim Bunning for the second time that season,[90] in a match-up between perfect game winners. This marriage too ended in a divorce. He also won the Triple Crown honor thrice, which further cemented his place as one of the greatest pitchers in the history of the game. Thats exactly what he did. Koufax played his entire MLB career with the Dodgers. Frequently, the pair can be spotted walking inside Dodger Stadium to watch a game. Not sure about a career in baseball, he enrolled at the Columbia University School of General Studies and attended night classes for architecture. With the Dodgers out of the pennant race he did not pitch again, ending the season with a 195 record[73] and leading the NL with a 1.74 ERA. In baseball history, he has been named as greatest pitchers. Teammate Ed Palmquist missed the flight, so Koufax was told he would need to pitch at least seven innings. He is also notable for being one of the outstanding Jewish athletes in U.S. sports; Koufax's decision not to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it fell on the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur garnered national attention as a conflict between religious calling and society, and remains a notable event in U.S. Jewish history. When I run into someone whos Jewish, even though Im not particularly religious, and he or she may not be particularly religious, theres still a connection there because of how we were raised and the things that you learn growing up a Jew, he said. Thank you, David Horovitz, Founding Editor of The Times of Israel, Protests rage across the country in day of disruption. His third wife is Jane Dee Purucker Clarke, a college sorority sister of First Lady Laura Bush. As Jane Leavey writes: Koufax finished the game, throwing a no-hitter. He was awarded Sports Illustrated magazine's Sportsman of the Year award. 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