Sandy Koufax's Perfect Game

Lore & Background

Koufax was the first major league pitcher to throw four no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1965. He was named the World Series MVP twice, leading the weak-hitting Dodgers to titles in 1963 and 1965. Despite his comparatively short career, his 2,396 career strikeouts ranked seventh in major league history at the time; his 40 shutouts were tied for ninth in modern NL history. He was the first pitcher in history to average more than nine strikeouts per nine innings pitched, and the first to allow fewer than seven hits per nine innings pitched.

In Their Own Story

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum dirt. Sandy Koufax adjusted his cap, his eyes locked on the batter's box where Mickey Mantle stood ready. The crowd was silent, holding its breath as the pitcher wound up. There was no hesitation in Koufax's delivery, only a blur of motion and a sharp crack as the ball hit the catcher's mitt. One out after another fell away until the final strikeout silenced the stadium, leaving the Yankees stunned and history written.

Reader's Guide

Koufax won the Major League Pitchers' Triple Crown three times, leading the Dodgers to a pennant in each of those years. He was an All-Star in each of his last six seasons, leading the National League (NL) in earned run average each of his last five years, in strikeouts four times, and in wins and shutouts three times each. He was the first pitcher in the live-ball era to post an earned run average below 2.00 in three different qualifying seasons and the first in the modern era to record a 300-strikeout season three times.

Did You Know?

• Koufax was the first three-time winner of the Cy Young Award, each time winning unanimously.
• He was the first major league pitcher to throw four no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1965.
• Koufax was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 at age 36, the youngest player ever elected.
• He was named the World Series MVP twice, in 1963 and 1965.