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.
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
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.
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!