Sandy Koufax

http://www.doubledogmusic.com/baseball/Scully_Koufax_Perfect.mp3 ^

[steelyourfaith]

Koufax was the best pitcher of his era, once he achieved control of his pitches.

In between Bob Gibson had one unforgettable season.

I recall when Met Tug McGraw out-dueled Sandy in a low scoring contest.

Thanks.

[Jeff Chandler]

My parents were at this game. We loved Sandy and Drysdale.

[VR-21]

What a wonderful note from the past. I had just started 9th grade when that game was played. It’s something to remember that I once watched the likes of Maris, Mantle, Ford and Koufax & Drysdale on tv. Thanks for the post.

[marine86297]

That was great. Man I LOVE baseball!!

Anybody know who has the Baseball PING list and how do I get on it?

[longhorn too]

I grew up watching baseball in the late 50’s and early 60’s, back when baseball was really America’s game. I idolized Sandy Koufax and Micky Mantle, and Vince Scully would put all the announcers today to shame, especially the ESPN crowd.

[Joe 6-pack]

"I idolized Sandy Koufax and Micky Mantle..."

I was a few years behind you, but I'm old enough to have idolized this guy...

[longhorn too]

Roberto was a great player and died helping other people!

[TruthWillWin]

My dad took me to see a double header in 1958, Dodgers/Braves. Koufax pitched the 1st game and I predicted at that time (I was 11) that he would be one of the best pitchers of all time. If possible I would listen on the radio to Vinny call every game he pitched from that day in 1958.

Thanks for this link Jeff.

[oldsalt]

I wish baseball was still baseball,but it's not.

I grew up in Northern New Jersy in the late 40's and early 50's.That was when NYC had three major league teams,Dodgers,Giants and the then invincible Yankees.

My Dad worked with a guy whose brother was a sometimes third baseman for the Yankees,Billy Johnson.We used to get tickets for games against the lesser teams in the AL,like the St. Louis Browns or the Philadelphia A's...but they were free and were in a field level box behind third base.My Dad was a big Yankees fan,and I guess I was too,since they always seemed inevitable,but I did develop a fondness for the St. Louis Browns because every time they came to town you could count on them pitching Ned Garver, their ace. He actually won 20 games one year for his perennial eighth place team and he was a Yankee killer...they had lots of trouble with him.

1948 was a particularly good year...even though the Yankees somehow failed to win the pennant,but it was an election year and every week-end the Democrats and the Republicans would get up a busload of us kids and take us to see whatever team was at home.So most of that summer I was in the bleachers at Yankee Stadium,Ebbets Field or the Polo Grounds...it was heaven.

For a ten year period or so I saw them all.DiMaggio,Ted Williams, Stan Musial,the Duke,Campanella,Berra..the list is too long..Don Newcomb,Preacher Roe,Allie Reynolds,Vic Raschi,Steady Eddie Lopat...the list never ends.

THAT was baseball,not the game of today with it's multi-millionaire .270 hitters.Then I could get on my bike and ride past Gene Woodling's house while he was out mowing the lawn and say hi... it was a different world and I really miss it.

[stylecouncilor]

Vinny is still the best!!

[Rocky]

Thanks for the post. I grew up following the Dodgers and listening to Vin Scully. With Scully announcing, you didn't need television. And I remember this game. I listened to almost every Dodger game, but I missed this one because we were on vacation. When we got home, I picked up the paper, and saw that Koufax had pitched a perfect game. I was crushed that I had missed it.

I remember, many years later, watching a playoff game on TV. It was at Wrigley Field, with Scully announcing, and Wrigley had just put lights up at the stadium. For the pregame, the camera zoomed in on Wrigley Field from a blimp. It was nighttime and the lights were lit, and as the camera zoomed in, Scully gave one of the best introductions to a sporting event that I have ever heard. I wish that one were available on the net.

[windcliff]

I agree!!!

[Lancey Howard]

Sandy Koufax, at 5’9”, would never be drafted by today’s geniuses. I had the pleasure of seeing Koufax pitch, and he was simply the best.

[Lancey Howard]

Great post! Thanks for that link.

[onedoug]

Seconded.

[windcliff]

But who’s on first?

[dearolddad]

Vinny is still the best!!

Scully and Dogget were the best baseball announcers in sports history!! IMNSHO.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I just started reading this book on Sandy Koufax.

[fkabuckeyesrule]

I remember my 1st grade teacher telling me about the only time Sandy Koufax pitched in Atlanta in 1966.