Sandy Koufax
After several wild, inconsistent early seasons in Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Koufax gained control of his blazing fastball and curveball around 1961-1962. From 1962 through 1966 he became baseball's most dominant pitcher, leading the league in ERA five straight years. He became a true star in 1963, when he won the MVP and his first Cy Young Award.
A Wild Start in Brooklyn
Koufax signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955 but struggled for years with control, walking nearly as many batters as he struck out. His raw talent was obvious, but consistency came slowly as the team moved to Los Angeles.
Five Years of Dominance
From 1962 to 1966 Koufax was the best pitcher in baseball, leading the National League in ERA each season and capturing three Cy Young Awards. His 1965 perfect game and four career no-hitters showcased his overpowering fastball and curveball.
An Early Exit and Lasting Legend
Crippling arthritis forced Koufax to retire after the 1966 season at age 30. In 1972 he became the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, sealing his place among the game's greatest left-handers.
Career Timeline
- 1935Born in Brooklyn, New York
- 1955Debuts with the Brooklyn Dodgers
- 1958Moves west with the Los Angeles Dodgers
- 1961Breaks out with 269 strikeouts
- 1963Wins MVP and first Cy Young Award
- 1963Leads Dodgers to World Series sweep
- 1965Pitches a perfect game against the Cubs
- 1965Sits out Game 1 of Series on Yom Kippur
- 1966Wins third Cy Young, then retires at 30
- 1972Youngest player ever elected to Hall of Fame
Biggest Hits
- Koufax famously refused to pitch Game 1 of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in Judaism.
- He retired at just 30 in 1966, at the peak of his career, because of severe arthritis in his pitching elbow.
Portrait: Unknown author · Public domain · via Wikimedia Commons