December 30th, 2022 at 1:30 pm 
by 0799291000348 * * *
“Heroes get remembered, but legends never die.” – The Sandlot
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In baseball circles, one will often hear this movie quote attributed to the game’s great players, current and past. As the year ends and people prepare for their New Year’s Eve parties, there is still one more celebration a day before 2022 ends.
On Friday, Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax celebrated his 87th birthday. Considered by some to be the “GOAT,” greatest of all time, for what he accomplished as a Dodgers starting pitcher.
Born on December 30, 1935, Koufax played in the majors from 1955-1966, starting in Brooklyn with the Dodgers and eventually transitioning to Los Angeles when the team moved west in 1958.
(AP)
Koufax shocked the baseball world on November 18, 1966 when, at only 30 years of age, he announced that he was retiring from the game for what was then called “elbow arthritis.” Many have argued that if Tommy John surgery had existed back then, Koufax could have continued his career, but that is a ‘woulda, shoulda, coulda’ scenario we will never know the answer to.
During his retirement press conference, the seven-time All-Star, five-time ERA leader, three-time Cy Young Award winner, two-time MLB Player of the Year, and two-time World Series MVP told reporters that he was at peace with his decision:
“I’ve got a lot of years to live after baseball and I would like to live them with complete use of my body. I don’t regret one minute of the last twelve years, but I think I would regret one year that was too many.”
Over his twelve seasons with the Dodgers, Koufax pitched a total of 2,324.1 innings in 397 games, with a career record of 165-87 and a career ERA of 2.76 ERA. His ERA stats during the final five seasons were astounding:
- 1962 2.54 ERA
- 1963 1.88 ERA
- 1964 1.74 ERA
- 1965 2.04 ERA
- 1966 1.73 ERA
(Ron Cervenka)
Koufax pitched four no-hitters in his career including one perfect game. For perspective, to date, there have been only 23 perfect games pitched in the 146-year history of Major League Baseball. Sandy pitched his on September 9, 1965, against the Chicago Cubs at Dodger Stadium.
(Getty Images)
Many Dodger pitchers and players have benefited from the knowledge and wisdom that Koufax continues to pass down, most notably current Dodgers ace and future Hall of Fame left-hander Clayton Kershaw.
It is fitting that the Dodgers now have a statue in the Centerfield plaza honoring the history-making southpaw. He has made a huge impact on the team he spent his whole career with.
And with that, the Dodger faithful – old and young – wish you a very Happy 87th Birthday, Sandy!
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How good was Koufax?
“Trying to hit him was like trying to drink coffee with a fork.” – Willie Stargell
“Sandy would strike me out two or three times a game. And I knew every pitch he was going to throw — fastball, breaking ball or whatever. Actually, he would let you look at it. And you still couldn’t hit it” Willie Mays
“I can see how he won twenty-five games. What I don’t understand is how he lost five.” – Yogi Berra
“Either he throws the fastest ball I’ve ever seen, or I’m going blind.” – Richie Ashburn
“He throws a ‘radio ball,’ a pitch you hear, but you don’t see.” – Gene Mauch
“A foul ball was a moral victory.” – Don Sutton
LOVE these quotes, Jesse.
Add to them the label of being “the left arm of God”. Happy Birthday Sandy! ALL true Dodgers fans revere you.
Darn shame TJ surgery was not around in 1966. They could fix him today.
I’m not sure TJ surgery would have solved all of his arm issues. I think he had severe arthritis in his pitching elbow, and a nerve problem in the index finger of his pitching hand. He was taking significant amounts of anti-inflammatory drugs, had cortisone injections, and frequently had his elbow drained of fluid.
I actually agree with OhioDodger (and not for the first time). I believe that back in 1966, they didn’t know what ulnar collateral ligament damage was, nor did they have a name for it since it was long before Tommy John’s time, so they called it “arthritis.”
I sincerely believe that if Dr. Frank Jobe knew in 1966 what he later learned and perfected in 1974, that it indeed would have been called “Sandy Koufax surgery” instead of “Tommy John surgery.”
Just my $.02.
I wanted to write a fantasy novel that was about 1968 when after having Sandy Koufax Surgery and the return of Sandy, the Dodgers win the World Series in 68 and 69.
Happy New year everyone
Sounds great. I would read that.