Editing Sandy Koufax (section)

==Professional career==
At the time of Koufax's signing, the [[bonus rule]] implemented by [[Major League Baseball]] was still in effect, stipulating that if a major league team signed a player to a contract with a signing bonus in excess of $4,000 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|4000|1947|r=-3}}}} today), they were required to keep them on their 25-man active roster for two full seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/legendary/Bonus_Babies.shtml |title=MLB Bonus Babies |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> In compliance with the rule, the Dodgers placed Koufax on their major league roster. As it subsequently turned out, Koufax never played in the [[minor league baseball|minor leagues]].<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 73–74.</ref>

During his first [[spring training]], Koufax struggled with his new training regime and suffered from a sore arm most of the time.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 75–94.</ref> Having pitched fewer than twenty games in the sandlots and college combined, he did not know a lot about [[Pitch (baseball)|pitching]] such as how to properly field a ball, how to hold a runner on base, or even pitching signs, later saying, "The only signs I knew were one finger for [[fastball]] and two for a [[curveball|curve]], and here there were five or six signs." His lack of minor league experience meant Koufax never fully mastered all aspects of the game and took a lot longer to develop as a pitcher.<ref name=look-koufax/>

===Early years (1955–1960)===
[[File:Cincinnati Redlegs at Brooklyn Dodgers 1955-08-27 (ticket).jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.65|A ticket from the August 27, 1955 game between the [[Brooklyn Dodgers]] and the [[Cincinnati Reds|Cincinnati Redlegs]], where Koufax earned his first career win|alt="A ticket from an August 1955 game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Cincinnati Reds at Ebbets Field."]]

Having injured his ankle in the last week of spring training, Koufax was placed on the [[injured list|disabled list]] for 30 days; he would be activated by the Dodgers on June 8. To make room for him, they optioned their future Hall of Fame manager, [[Tommy Lasorda]], to their Triple-A affiliate, the [[Montreal Royals]]. Lasorda would later joke that it took "one of the greatest left-handers in history" to keep him off the Dodgers major league roster.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 63–64.</ref>

Koufax made his major league debut on June 24, 1955, against the [[1955 Milwaukee Braves season|Milwaukee Braves]], with the Dodgers trailing 7–1 in the fifth inning. [[Johnny Logan (baseball)|Johnny Logan]], the first batter Koufax faced, hit a bloop single. [[Eddie Mathews]] bunted back to the mound, and Koufax threw the ball into center field. He then walked [[Hank Aaron|Henry Aaron]] on four pitches to load the bases before striking out [[Bobby Thomson]] on a 3–2 fastball for his first career strikeout.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 95–97.</ref> Koufax ended up pitching two scoreless innings, inducing a [[double play]] to end the bases-loaded threat and picking up another strikeout in a perfect sixth.<ref>{{cite web |title=Brooklyn Dodgers vs Milwaukee Braves Box Score: June 24, 1955 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN195506240.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Koufax's first start was on July 6, the second game of a [[doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] against the [[1955 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pittsburgh Pirates]]. He lasted only 4.2 innings, giving up eight walks.<ref>{{cite news|title=Koufax Recalls His Wild Start At Forbes Field |last1=Biederman |first1=Lester J. |work=[[The Pittsburgh Press]] |date=May 16, 1966|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IL0bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TE8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7234%2C179287 |archive-date=September 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230911173806/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=IL0bAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TE8EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7234%2C179287 |page=18}}</ref> He did not start again for almost two months.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 74.</ref>

On August 27, Koufax threw a two-hit, 7–0 complete game shutout against the [[1955 Cincinnati Redlegs season|Cincinnati Redlegs]] for his first major league win. He struck out 14 batters and allowed only two hits.<ref>{{cite web |title=Cincinnati Redlegs vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: August 27, 1955 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195508270.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=McGowen |first1=Roscoe |title=Koufax, Dodgers, Tops Redlegs, 7–0|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1955/08/28/archives/dodgers-win-koufax-is-victor-dodger-allows-2-hits-fans-14-in.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=August 28, 1955 |via=TimesMachine |url-access=subscription}}</ref> His only other win in 1955 was also a shutout, a five-hitter against the Pirates on September 3.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pittsburgh Pirates vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: September 3, 1955 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195509030.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

In his rookie year, Koufax threw 41.2 innings in 12 appearances, striking out 30 batters and walking 28, with a record of 2–2 and 3.02 earned run average.<ref name="bbref-skoufax">{{cite web |title=Sandy Koufax Career Statistics |website=Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koufasa01.shtml}}</ref> The [[1955 Brooklyn Dodgers season|Dodgers]] went on to win the National League pennant and the [[1955 World Series]] over the [[1955 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]], the first title in franchise history; however, even though he was on the World Series roster, Koufax did not appear in the series. During the fall, he had enrolled in the [[Columbia University School of General Studies]], which offered night classes in architecture; after the final out of Game 7, Koufax went straight to Columbia to attend class.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 3, 105–107; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. xx, 75–76.</ref>

[[File:Sandy Koufax by E.F. Collins.jpg|thumb|left|upright=0.9|Koufax warming up at [[Wrigley Field]], {{circa|1957}}|alt="A young baseball player wearing a ballcap with the initial 'B'."]]

The 1956 season was not very different from 1955 for Koufax. Despite his blazing fastball, Koufax continued to struggle with control. He saw little work, pitching only 58.2 innings with a 4.91 earned run average, 29 walks and 30 strikeouts.<ref name="SABR Koufax"/> When Koufax allowed baserunners, he was rarely permitted to finish the inning. Teammate [[Joe Pignatano]] remarked, years later, that as soon as Koufax threw a couple of balls in a row, [[Walter Alston]] would signal for a replacement to start warming up in the bullpen.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 84–86.</ref>

Notably, teammates [[Jackie Robinson]] and [[Roy Campanella]] both clashed with Alston on Koufax's usage, noting the young pitcher's talent and objecting to him being benched for weeks at a time. Pitcher [[Don Newcombe]] stated years later that Koufax faced [[antisemitism]] as a young pitcher from white players on the team who shunned him and used antisemitic slurs when referring to him. This led to black teammates rallying to Koufax's defense and supporting him during his early years.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kashatus |first1=William C. |title=Jackie and Campy: The Untold Story of Their Rocky Relationship and the Breaking of Baseball's Color Line |date=2014 |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |isbn=978-0803246331 |url=https://archive.org/details/jackiecampyuntol0000kash/page/164/mode/2up |pages=164–165}}</ref>

To prepare him for the 1957 season, the [[1957 Brooklyn Dodgers season|Dodgers]] sent Koufax to [[Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente|Puerto Rico]] to play winter ball for the [[Criollos de Caguas (baseball)|Criollos de Caguas]].<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 117–199.</ref> For the Criollos, Koufax compiled a record of 3–6 with a 4.35 earned run average and 76 strikeouts in 64.2 innings pitched.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://beisbol101.com/jugador/sandy-koufax/ |title=Sandy Koufax stats in Puerto Rico |publisher=Liga de Béisbol Profesional de Puerto Rico |work=[[Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente|Beisbol 101]]}}</ref> Two of his wins were [[shutout (baseball)|shutouts]], including a one-hitter and a two-hitter, with [[Roberto Clemente]] getting both hits against him in the latter, his last game in Puerto Rico before being released. Besides the Dodgers, the Criollos were the only other team Koufax pitched for in his career.<ref name="SABR Koufax"/>

On May 15, the restriction on sending Koufax down to the minors was lifted. Alston gave him a chance to justify his place on the major league roster by giving him the next day's start. Facing the [[1957 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] at [[Wrigley Field]], Koufax struck out 13 while pitching his first complete game in almost two years. For the first time in his career, he was in the [[starting rotation]], but only for two weeks. Despite winning three of his next five with a 2.90 earned run average, Koufax did not get another start for 45 days. In that start, he struck out 11 in seven innings, but got no decision. On September 29, he became the last man to pitch for the Brooklyn Dodgers before their move to Los Angeles, throwing an inning of relief in the final game of the season.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 117–124; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 87–90.</ref>

[[File:Drydale_and_Koufax_on_active_duty_training.jpg|thumb|Koufax and teammate [[Don Drysdale]] changing parts on a military truck at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in [[Van Nuys, California]]|alt="Two men in military uniform at an Army base, ponder over instructions on how to change parts of a military truck."]]

Koufax, along with fellow Dodgers pitcher [[Don Drysdale]], served in the [[United States Army Reserve]] for two years, from 1957 to 1959. He was often stationed at [[Fort Dix, New Jersey]] during the offseason.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 107, 126, 140.; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 203.</ref>

Koufax began the 1958 season 7–3, but sprained his ankle in a collision with [[Jim Bolger (baseball)|Jim Bolger]] of the [[Chicago Cubs]] at first base on July 5, resulting in a long layoff. Throughout the season, he was also plagued with back pain which was the result of a benign tumor on his rib cage, necessitating him to undergo surgery in the offseason to have the growth removed.<ref name=look-koufax>{{cite magazine |last1=Koufax |first1=Sandy |last2=Gross |first2=Milton |title=I'm Only Human |url=https://archive.org/details/sim_look_1963-12-31_27_26_0/page/50/mode/2up |magazine=[[Look (American magazine)|Look]] |date=December 31, 1963 |url-access=registration}}</ref> As a result, he finished the season at 11–11 and leading the majors in [[wild pitch]]es.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 130–132.</ref>

In 1959, on June 22, he set the record for a night game with 16 strikeouts against the [[1959 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Philadelphia Phillies vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: June 22, 1959 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN195906220.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Down |first1=Fred |title=Koufax Whiffs 16 Phils, One Shy of NL Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-1959-06-23-mlb-notes/87591850/ |newspaper=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |date=June 23, 1959}}</ref> On August 31, against the [[1959 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]], he broke [[Dizzy Dean]]'s NL single-game record of 17 strikeouts and tied [[Bob Feller]]'s [[List of Major League Baseball single-game strikeout leaders|Major League record]] of 18.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 125–138; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 90–92.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN195908310.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: August 31, 1959 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Down |first1=Fred |title=Koufax Ties Strikeout Mark of 18 in L.A. win |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-1959-09-01-mlb-notes/87815074/ |newspaper=[[The Sacramento Bee]] |date=September 1, 1959}}</ref>

That season, the Dodgers won a tight pennant race against the Giants and the [[1959 Milwaukee Braves season|Milwaukee Braves]]. They faced the [[1959 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]] in the [[1959 World Series|World Series]]. In his first World Series appearance, Koufax pitched two perfect relief innings in Game 1, though they came after the Dodgers were already behind 11–0. Alston gave Koufax the start in Game 5, at the [[Los Angeles Coliseum]]. In what would have been the series-clincher, Koufax allowed only one run in seven innings but lost the game 1–0 when [[Nellie Fox]] scored on a double play and the Dodgers failed to score a run in support. Returning to Chicago, the Dodgers won Game 6 and their first championship in Los Angeles.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 139–141.</ref><ref>[[#Schoor|Schoor]], pp. 262–265.</ref>

In early 1960, Koufax asked Dodgers general manager [[Buzzie Bavasi]] to trade him because he believed he was not getting enough playing time, a request that was denied. On May 23, he pitched a one-hit shutout against the [[1960 Pittsburgh Pirates season|Pirates]], allowing only a second-inning single by pitcher [[Bennie Daniels]] and striking out 10 batters in the process.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score: May 23, 1960 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT196005230.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> However, the game was a highlight in an otherwise bad year for Koufax in which he went 8–13 with a 3.97 earned run average.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

After the last game of the season, frustrated with his lack of progress as well as resentment towards Dodger management, Koufax threw his equipment into the trash, having decided to quit baseball and devote himself to an [[electronics]] business in which he had invested.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Elysian Fields of Brooklyn: The Parade Ground |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-elysian-fields-of-brooklyn-the-parade-ground/ |website=Society for American Baseball Research |quote=The combination of resentment by veteran players, lack of minor league training, irregularity of work, and pressure he felt from the antisemitic faction contributed to discouragement felt by the young pitcher, and for a time he considered giving it all up.}}</ref> In his first six seasons, he had posted a record of 36–40 with a 4.10 earned run average. [[Nobe Kawano]], the clubhouse supervisor, retrieved the equipment in case Koufax decided to return the following year.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 142–147; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 93–95.</ref>

===Domination (1961–1964)===
Koufax came to regret his decision to quit, having found working in the offseason boring. He decided to give baseball another try, remarking years later, "I decided I was really going to find out how good I can be."<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 101.</ref> During the offseason, Koufax underwent [[tonsillectomy]] due to recurring throat issues and, as a result, reported to spring training thirty pounds under his normal playing weight. He later stated that it forced him to regain the lost muscle mass and weight through exercise and nutrition, allowing him to get into the "best shape" of his life. From then on, he made it a point to report to spring training under his playing weight.<ref name="theatlantic"/><ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 147–148.</ref>

During spring training, Dodger scout Kenny Myers discovered a hitch in Koufax's windup, where he would rear back so far he would lose sight of the target.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 102.</ref> As a result, Koufax tightened up his mechanics, believing that not only would it help better his control but would also help him disguise his pitches better.{{efn|Throughout his career, Koufax fought a tendency to "tip" pitches which he never fully overcame; it was well known in the league when he would throw a fastball or a curve. Despite that, players such as [[Willie Mays]] and [[Joey Amalfitano]] believed that it made little difference as hitters "still couldn't hit him" due to the effectiveness of his pitches.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 24.</ref>}}<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], p. 153.</ref> Additionally, Dodgers [[statistician]] [[Allan Roth]] helped Koufax tweak his game in the early 1960s, particularly regarding the importance of first-pitch strikes and the benefits of breaking pitches.<ref name="theatlantic">{{cite magazine|title=The Incomparable Career of Sandy Koufax|last1=Orfalea |first1=Gregory |magazine=[[The Atlantic]]|date=October 6, 2016|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2016/10/sandy-koufax/503036/ |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 148–152.</ref>

[[File:Norm Sherry and Sandy Koufax.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|Koufax with teammate [[Norm Sherry]] who played a pivotal role in Koufax's career|alt="Two baseball players facing each other and in conversation."]]

On March 23, Koufax was chosen to pitch in a B-squad game against the [[Minnesota Twins]] in [[Orlando, Florida]], by teammate [[Gil Hodges]] who was acting manager for the day. As teammate [[Ed Palmquist]] had missed the flight, leaving the team short one pitcher, Hodges told Koufax he needed to pitch at least seven innings. Prior to the game, catcher [[Norm Sherry]] told him: "If you get behind the hitters, don't try to throw so hard." This was due to Koufax's tendency to lose his temper and throw hard and wildly whenever he got into trouble.<ref name="theatlantic"/>

The strategy worked initially before Koufax temporarily reverted to throwing hard and walked the bases loaded with no out in the fifth. Sherry reminded Koufax of their discussion, advising him to settle down and throw to his glove; heeding the advice, Koufax struck out the side and finished the game with seven no-hit innings. He went on to have a strong spring training.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 153–155; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 102–103.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Whitmarsh |first1=Al |title=Koufax Credits Hitless Stint to Reliance on Fastball |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-orlando-sentinel-koufax-7-innings-n/105127670/ |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |date=March 24, 1961}}</ref>

====1961 season====
All the improvements and changes made in the offseason and during spring training resulted in 1961 becoming Koufax's breakout season. He posted an 18–13 record and led the majors with 269 strikeouts, breaking [[Christy Mathewson]]'s 58-year-old NL mark of 267, and doing so in 110 innings fewer than Mathewson had.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 157–159; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 115–116.</ref>

That season also marked the first time in his career that Koufax started at least 30 games (35) and pitched at least 200 innings (255.2). He lowered his [[Bases on  balls per nine innings pitched|walks allowed per nine innings]] from 5.1 in 1960 to 3.4 in 1961, led the NL with a [[strikeout-to-walk ratio]] of 2.80, and led the majors with a [[fielding independent pitching]] mark (FIP) of 3.00.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

On September 20, in the last regular season baseball game at the Coliseum, Koufax won a 13-inning contest against the [[Chicago Cubs]] for his 18th win of the year. He pitched a complete game, throwing 205 pitches, striking out fifteen batters.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 20, 1961 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196109200.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

====1962 season====
In 1962, the Dodgers moved from the Los Angeles Coliseum – a [[American football|football]] stadium which had a {{convert|250|ft|adj=on|round=5}} left-field line and a {{convert|40|ft|adj=on|round=5}} tall screen – to [[Dodger Stadium]]. The new park was pitcher-friendly, with a large foul territory and a relatively poor hitting background. Koufax, whose numbers were hurt by the peculiar dimensions of the Coliseum, was an immediate beneficiary of the move.{{efn|Between 1958 and 1961, while the Dodgers were at the Coliseum, Koufax's home record was 17–23, with a 4.33 ERA and 56 home runs allowed while his road record was 28–20 with a 3.57 ERA and 33 home runs allowed.<ref>{{cite web |title=A Home Like No Other: The Dodgers in L.A. Memorial Coliseum |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/a-home-like-no-other-the-dodgers-in-l-a-memorial-coliseum/ |website=Society for American Baseball Research |quote=Among Dodgers pitchers, no one was hampered by the Coliseum more than Sandy Koufax—despite some great individual games there. From 1958 through 1961 Koufax was 28–20 with a 3.57 ERA and 33 home runs allowed in Dodger road games; in the Coliseum, he was 17–23, 4.33 with 56 home runs allowed.}}</ref>}}<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 127–128; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 116.</ref> Subsequently, he recorded what would be his first great season, leading the NL in ERA and the majors in [[hits per nine innings]], [[strikeouts per nine innings]], and FIP.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

[[File:Portrait of the baseball player Sandy Koufax ca1950 (cropped).jpg|thumb|left|Koufax at [[Dodger Stadium]], {{circa|1962}} |alt="A man in the Los Angeles Dodgers home uniform and cap with a glove, posing in fielding position."]]

On April 24, Koufax tied his own record of 18 strikeouts in a 10–2 win over the [[1962 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] in [[Wrigley Field]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196204240.shtml |title=Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Box Score: April 24, 1962 |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> On June 13, against the Braves at [[Milwaukee County Stadium]], he hit his first career [[home run]] off future Hall of Famer [[Warren Spahn]], providing the winning margin in a 2–1 victory.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 116.</ref>

On June 30, Koufax threw his first career [[no-hitter]] against the expansion [[1962 New York Mets season|New York Mets]]; it was also the first Dodgers no-hitter since their move to Los Angeles. In the first inning, he threw an [[immaculate inning]], becoming the sixth NL pitcher and the 11th overall to throw one; he remains the only one to do so in a no-hitter.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/june-30-1962-sandy-koufax-hurls-first-career-no-hitter-against-mets/ |last1=Aaron |first1=Marc |title=June 30, 1962: Sandy Koufax hurls first career no-hitter against Mets |work=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref><ref name="9pitch9strike">{{cite web |title=Immaculate Innings |website=Baseball Almanac |url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/feats/feats17.shtml }}</ref> His no-hitter, along with a 4–2 record, 73 strikeouts and a 1.23 ERA, earned him the [[Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award|Player of the Month Award]] for June. It was the only time in his career he earned this distinction.<ref>{{cite web|title=Major League Baseball Players of the Month |website=Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/mlb-players-of-the-month.shtml}}</ref>

Throughout the first half of the season, Koufax dealt with an injured pitching hand.<ref name=look-koufax/> In April, while at bat, he had been jammed by a pitch. A numbness soon developed in his left index finger and it slowly turned cold and pale. Due to his strong performance, Koufax ignored the condition, hoping it would clear up in due time. The condition worsened, however, with his whole hand turning numb by July. During a start against Cincinnati, his finger split open.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Finch |first1=Frank |title=Koufax to Return for Treatment |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times-koufax-treatment/116614830/ |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=July 18, 1962}}</ref> A vascular specialist determined that Koufax had a crushed artery in his palm. Ten days of experimental medicine successfully reopened the artery, preventing the possibility of [[amputation]].<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Creamer |first1=Robert |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1963/03/04/an-urgent-matter-of-one-index-finger|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513192352/https://vault.si.com/vault/1963/03/04/an-urgent-matter-of-one-index-finger|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2021|title=An Urgent Matter of One Index Finger |date=March 4, 1963}}</ref>

Koufax was finally able to pitch again in September, when the team was locked in a tight pennant race with the Giants.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 165–176; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 120–121.</ref> However, after the long layoff, he was rusty and ineffective in three appearances and, by the end of the regular season and in part due to Koufax's absence from the Dodgers rotation, the Giants caught up with the Dodgers and forced a [[1962 National League tie-breaker series|three-game playoff]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Plaut |first1=David |title=Chasing October: The Giants-Dodgers Pennant Race of 1962 |url=https://archive.org/details/chasingoctoberdo00plau |year=1994 |pages=84–87 |publisher=Diamond Communications|isbn=978-0912083698 |url-access=registration}}</ref>

With an overworked pitching staff, manager Alston asked Koufax if he could start the first game. Koufax obliged but, still being rusty, was knocked out in the second inning, after giving up home runs to [[Willie Mays]] and [[Jim Davenport]]. After winning the second game of the series, the Dodgers blew a 4–2 lead in the ninth inning of the deciding third game, losing the pennant.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 176–177; [[#Leahy|Leahy]], pp. 54–59.</ref>

====1963 season====
In 1963, Major League Baseball expanded the [[strike zone]] to combat what they perceived as too much offense.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/articles/strike_zone_rules_history.shtml|title=The Strike Zone: A History of Official Strike Zone Rules|website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> Compared to the previous season, walks in the NL fell 13%, strikeouts increased 6%, the league [[batting average]] fell from .261 to .245, and runs scored declined 15%.<ref>{{cite web |title=Major League Batting Year-by-Year Averages |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/bat.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> Koufax, who had reduced his [[Bases on balls per nine innings pitched|walks allowed per nine innings]] to 3.4 in 1961 and 2.8 in 1962, reduced it further to 1.7 in 1963, which ranked fifth in the league.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

On April 19, Koufax threw his second [[immaculate inning]], this time in a two-hit shutout win against the [[1963 Houston Colt .45s season|Houston Colt .45s]], becoming the first NL pitcher and the second pitcher ever (after [[Lefty Grove]]) to throw two immaculate innings.<ref name="9pitch9strike"/> However, on April 23, he left a game against the [[1963 Milwaukee Braves season|Braves]] after throwing seven scoreless innings due to injuring the [[Capsule of the glenohumeral joint|posterior capsule]] of his left shoulder. Koufax subsequently missed two weeks, returning on May 7 against the [[1963 St. Louis Cardinals season|Cardinals]].<ref name="SABR Koufax"/>

Koufax threw his second career no-hitter against the [[1963 San Francisco Giants season|San Francisco Giants]] on May 11, besting Giants ace [[Juan Marichal]]. He carried a [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect game]] into the eighth inning against the powerful Giants lineup which included future Hall of Famers [[Willie Mays]], [[Willie McCovey]], and [[Orlando Cepeda]]. The perfect game ended when he walked catcher [[Ed Bailey]] on a full count. Koufax closed out the game after walking pinch-hitter McCovey on four pitches with two out in the ninth.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 181–183; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 122–123.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aaron |first1=Marc |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-11-1963-sandy-koufax-throws-second-no-hitter-to-beat-marichal-giants/ |title=May 11, 1963: Sandy Koufax throws second no-hitter to beat Marichal, Giants |work=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref>

From July 3 to 16, Koufax pitched 33 consecutive scoreless innings, pitching three shutouts to lower his [[earned run average]] to 1.65. On July 20, he hit the second and last home run of his career, coincidentally again in Milwaukee; he hit a three-run shot off Braves pitcher [[Denny Lemaster]] to propel the team to a 5–4 win; it was his only game with three [[run batted in|runs batted in]].<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

In 1963, Koufax won the first of three pitching [[Triple Crown (baseball)|Triple Crowns]], leading the majors in wins (25), strikeouts (306), and earned run average (1.88).<ref name="triplecrown">{{cite web |title=Triple Crown of Pitching|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/pitrip.shtml |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref> He threw 11 shutouts, eclipsing [[Carl Hubbell]]'s 30-year, post-1900 mark for a left-handed pitcher of 10 and setting a record that stands to this day. Only [[Bob Gibson]], with 13 shutouts in his iconic 1968 season (known as "the year of the pitcher"), has thrown more since.<ref>{{cite web|title=Single-Season Leaders & Records for Shutouts|website=Baseball-Reference.com|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SHO_season.shtml}}</ref>

[[File:Roseboro and Koufax celebrate Yankees sweep.jpg|thumb|Koufax and catcher [[John Roseboro]] celebrate the Dodgers' victory over the Yankees in the [[1963 World Series]]|alt="Two baseball players jumping and hugging each other in celebration."]]

Koufax won the National League [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player Award]],<ref name="mvp">{{cite web |title=MLB Most Valuable Player MVP Award Winners |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/mvp.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> and was the first unanimous selection for the [[Cy Young Award]], winning at a time when only one was awarded for both leagues.{{efn|Separate Cy Young Awards for each league started being awarded in {{mlby|1967}}, the year after Koufax retired.}}<ref name="cyyoungaward">{{cite web |title=MLB Cy Young Award Winners |website=Baseball-Reference.com |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/cya.shtml}}</ref> He was also named the [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year]] for the first time, and was awarded the [[Hickok Belt]] as the athlete of the year.<ref name="hickokbelt">{{cite web |title=Hickok Belt winner: Sandy Koufax (1963 & 1965) |url=http://hickokbelt.com/winners/past-winners/winners/sandy-koufax/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918033832/http://hickokbelt.com/winners/past-winners/winners/sandy-koufax/ |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |website=[[Hickok Belt]]}}</ref>

Clinching the pennant on September 27, the Dodgers faced the heavily favored [[1963 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] in the [[1963 World Series]]. In Game 1, Koufax beat [[Whitey Ford]] 5–2. He struck out the first five batters and 15 overall, breaking [[Carl Erskine]]'s decade-old record of 14. The Dodgers won Games 2 and 3 behind the pitching of [[Johnny Podres]], [[Ron Perranoski]], and [[Don Drysdale]]. Koufax completed the Dodgers' series sweep in Game 4 with a 2–1 victory over Ford; the only run he allowed was a home run by [[Mickey Mantle]].<ref>[[#Schoor|Schoor]], pp. 280–284.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Zimmerman |first1=Paul |title=Dodgers Make Series History by Beating Yanks Four in Row |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-los-angeles-times/28892188/ |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=October 7, 1963}}</ref>

During the series, Koufax struck out 23 batters in 18 innings, a record for a four-game World Series, and had a 2–0 record with an earned run average of 1.50; for his performance, he was awarded the [[World Series Most Valuable Player Award]].<ref>{{cite web |title=World Series Pitching Records |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rb_ws6.shtml |website=Baseball Almanac}}</ref><ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 184–216; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 132–143.</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Leggett |first1=William |title=Koo-Foo the Killer |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1963/10/14/koofoo-the-killer |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=October 14, 1963}}</ref>

===Salary dispute===
After his successful 1963 season, Koufax asked the Dodgers for a salary raise to $75,000, later writing in his autobiography: "I felt I was entitled to a healthy raise. Like double of the $35,000 I had received the year before, plus another $5,000 for good measure, good conduct, and good luck. They could hardly say I didn't deserve it."<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], p. 278.</ref> However, during his meeting with Dodgers general manager [[Buzzie Bavasi]], the latter stated Koufax had not earned such a big raise, using numerous excuses to justify his stance, including that he had not pitched enough innings the year before. Bavasi instead offered him $65,000.<ref>[[#Leahy|Leahy]], p. 147–151.</ref>

Angered at Bavasi's reasoning, Koufax held his ground. After tense negotiations, the pair finally agreed to $70,000 and Koufax signed just before the team was about to leave for [[spring training]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Koufax Signs $70,000 Contract As Dodgers Double His Salary |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/02/29/archives/koufax-signs-70000-contract-as-dodgers-double-his-salary.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=United Press International |date=February 29, 1964}}</ref> Soon after his signing, however, the ''[[Los Angeles Herald-Examiner]]'' published a story which incorrectly stated that Koufax had threatened to retire if he did not get a salary of $90,000. Shocked and angry that the story painted him as greedy, Koufax responded in an interview with [[Frank Finch]] of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' that he did neither of those things, saying: "I've been hurt by people I thought were my friends."<ref>[[#Leahy|Leahy]], p. 173–175.</ref>

The story continued into spring training, with the usually quiet and reserved Koufax telling his side of the negotiations to sportswriters. He strongly suspected that somebody in the front office leaked the story. Koufax dropped the matter only after both Bavasi and Dodgers owner [[Walter O'Malley]] met with him separately. However, due to the bitter negotiations and what he felt was disrespect from the front office, Koufax's relationship with both men never fully recovered.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bavasi Says Koufax Still On Good Terms |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1964/03/06/archives/bavasi-says-koufax-still-on-good-terms.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=United Press International |date=March 6, 1964}}</ref>

====1964 season====
On April 14, Koufax made the only [[Opening Day]] start of his career, pitching a 4–0 shutout against the [[1964 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]].<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Louis Cardinals vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: April 14, 1964 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196404140.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> In his next start, he struck out three batters on nine pitches in the third inning of a 3–0 loss to the [[1964 Cincinnati Reds season|Cincinnati Reds]], becoming the first pitcher in Major League history to throw three immaculate innings.<ref name="9pitch9strike"/> On April 22, in St. Louis, however, Koufax "felt something let go" in his arm during the first inning, resulting in three [[Hydrocortisone|cortisone shots]] in his left elbow and three missed starts.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 150.</ref>

On June 4, against the [[1964 Philadelphia Phillies season|Philadelphia Phillies]] in [[Connie Mack Stadium]], Koufax threw his third career no-hitter, tying [[Bob Feller]] as the only modern-era pitchers to hurl three no-hitters. He needed just 97 pitches and faced the minimum 27 batters while striking out 12. The only full-count he allowed was to [[Dick Allen]] in the fourth inning. Allen walked and was thrown out trying to [[stolen base|steal]] second base; he was the Phillies' only baserunner that day.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 219–221; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 151–153.</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Aaron |first1=Marc |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/june-4-1964-sandy-koufax-puts-everything-together-in-third-career-no-hitter/ |title=June 4, 1964: Sandy Koufax 'puts everything together' in third career no-hitter |work=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref>

On August 8, during a game against the [[1964 Milwaukee Braves season|Milwaukee Braves]], Koufax jammed his pitching elbow while diving back to second base to beat a pick-off throw by [[Tony Cloninger]]. He managed to pitch and win two more games, but on the morning after his 19th win, a shutout in which he struck out 13 batters, Koufax woke up to find his elbow "as big as his knee" and that he could no longer straighten his arm. He was diagnosed by Dodgers team physician [[Robert Kerlan]] with traumatic [[arthritis]].{{efn|Dr. [[Frank Jobe]], inventor of the [[Tommy John surgery]], later disagreed with Koufax's diagnosis. He believed that Koufax suffered a torn [[Ulnar collateral ligament of elbow joint|ulnar collateral ligament]] but stated there were no means to diagnose or treat such an injury when Koufax was an active player.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pouliot |first1=Matthew |title=Dr. Frank Jobe: 'It could have been Sandy Koufax surgery' |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/dr-frank-jobe-it-could-have-been-sandy-koufax-surgery |work=[[NBC Sports]] |date=July 14, 2012}}</ref>}}<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 222–228; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 155–157.</ref> With the Dodgers out of the pennant race, Koufax did not pitch again that season, finishing with a 19–5 win-loss record and leading the National League with a 1.74 ERA and seven shutouts, and the majors with a 2.08 FIP.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

===Playing in pain (1965–66)===
[[File:SandyKoufaxArm1966.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|In his final seasons, Koufax iced his arm for hours after every game he pitched|alt=A dark-haired man looks on while his arm is placed in a tub of ice]]

After resting during the off-season, Koufax returned to spring training in 1965 and initially had no problems from pitching. On March 30, however, he woke up the morning after pitching a complete game against the [[Chicago White Sox]] to find his entire left arm swollen and [[bruise|black and blue]] from [[hemorrhage|hemorrhaging]]. He returned to Los Angeles to consult with Kerlan who warned him that he would eventually lose the full use of his arm if he continued to pitch.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 156.</ref>

Kerlan and Koufax established a schedule which he followed for the last two seasons of his career. Koufax initially agreed to stop throwing between starts but, as it had been a part of his routine for a long time, he soon resumed it. Instead, he stopped throwing sidearm pitches (which he often did against left-handed batters) and removed his rarely-used slider from his repertoire.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Baseball: With Trauma, Stress & It |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=July 30, 1965 |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,834075,00.html}}</ref>

Before each start, Koufax had [[capsaicin]]-based Capsolin ointment – nicknamed the "Atomic Balm" by players – rubbed onto his shoulder and arm. Afterwards, he soaked his arm in a tub of ice to prevent swelling; during the ice treatments, he often wore a rubber sleeve fashioned from an [[inner tube]] to prevent frostbite. If his elbow swelled up after a game, the fluid would be drained with a syringe. When necessary, he was also given a [[Hydrocortisone|cortisone shot]] in the elbow joint. For the pain, Koufax took Empirin with [[codeine]] every night and occasionally during a game. He also took [[Phenylbutazone|Butazolidin]], a drug used to treat inflammation caused by arthritis which was eventually taken off the market due to its toxic side effects.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 228–239; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 156–160.</ref>

====1965 season====
Despite the constant pain in his pitching elbow, Koufax pitched a major league-leading 335.2 innings and 27 complete games, leading the [[1965 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Dodgers]] to another pennant. He won his second pitching Triple Crown, leading the Majors in wins (26), earned run average (2.04), and strikeouts (382).<ref name="triplecrown"/> Koufax captured his second unanimous Cy Young Award,<ref name="cyyoungaward"/> and was runner-up for the National League MVP Award, behind [[Willie Mays]].<ref name="mvp"/>

Koufax's 382 strikeouts broke [[Rube Waddell]]'s modern record of 349 strikeouts in 1904, and was the highest modern-day total at the time.<ref>{{cite web|title=Single-Season Leaders & Records for Strikeouts|website=Baseball-Reference.com|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_season.shtml}}</ref> He walked only 71 batters, the first time a pitcher struck out 300 more batters than he walked (311). Additionally, he held batters to 5.79 hits per nine innings, and allowed the fewest baserunners per nine innings in any season ever: 7.83, breaking his own record (set two years earlier) of 7.96.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>

Koufax was the pitcher for the Dodgers during the [[Battle of Candlestick|game on August 22]], when Giants pitcher [[Juan Marichal]] clubbed Dodgers catcher [[John Roseboro]] in the head with a bat.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Fight of Their Lives: How Juan Marichal And John Roseboro Turned Baseball's Ugliest Brawl Into A Story Of Forgiveness And Redemption |last1=Rosengren |first1=John |year=2014 |url=https://archive.org/details/fightoftheirlive0000rose |pages=107–141 |publisher=Lyons Press|isbn=978-0762787128 |url-access=registration}}</ref> The game, which came in the middle of a heated pennant race, had been tense since it began, with Marichal [[brushback pitch|brushing back]] Dodgers outfielder [[Ron Fairly]] and shortstop [[Maury Wills]], and Koufax retaliating by throwing over the head of [[Willie Mays]]. After Koufax's retaliation, both benches were warned by umpire [[Shag Crawford]]; despite this, he asked Roseboro, "Who do you want me to get?" Not wanting Koufax ejected in the middle of a crucial game, Roseboro replied, "I'll handle it."<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 179–180.</ref>

After the clubbing occurred, Koufax rushed from the mound and attempted to grab the bat from Marichal. A fourteen-minute brawl ensued in which he and Mays attempted to restore peace, with Mays dragging the injured Roseboro away from the fight.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Kevin |title=Juan Marichal clubbed John Roseboro 50 years ago in ugly, iconic incident |url=https://www.espn.in/mlb/story/_/id/13463881/juan-marichal-hit-john-roseboro-bat-ugly-baseball-brawl-50-years-ago |work=[[ESPN]] |date=August 19, 2015}}</ref> After the game resumed, a shaken Koufax walked two batters before giving up a three-run home run to Mays. While he eventually settled down and pitched a complete game without allowing more runs, the Dodgers lost the game 4–3.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Dodgers vs San Francisco Giants Box Score: August 22, 1965 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196508220.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

=====Perfection=====
{{Main|Sandy Koufax's perfect game}}
On September 9, 1965, Koufax became the sixth pitcher of the modern era, and eighth overall, to throw a perfect game. The game, pitched against the [[1965 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]], was Koufax's fourth no-hitter, setting a then-major league record, and the first by a left-hander in the modern era. He struck out 14 batters, the most recorded in a perfect game, and at least one batter in each inning in the 1–0 win.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-9-1965-a-million-butterflies-and-one-perfect-game-for-sandy-koufax/ |last1=Huber |first1=Mike |title=September 9, 1965: 'A million butterflies' and one perfect game for Sandy Koufax |work=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref>

The game also set a record for the fewest hits in a major league contest as Cubs pitcher [[Bob Hendley]] pitched a one-hitter and allowed only two batters to reach base.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/bob-hendley-one-hitter-loses-to-sandy-koufax/c-148255150 |last1=Noble |first1=Marty |date=September 9, 2015 |title=The Day Hendley Allowed Just One Hit, Koufax Was Perfect |website=[[MLB.com]]}}</ref> Both pitchers had no-hitters intact until the seventh inning. The winning run was [[earned run|unearned]], scored in the fifth inning without a hit when Dodgers left fielder [[Lou Johnson]] walked, reached second on a [[sacrifice hit|sacrifice]], stole third, and scored on a throwing [[error (baseball)|error]] by Cubs catcher [[Chris Krug]]. The only hit was a bloop double by Johnson to shallow right in the seventh inning.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chicago Cubs vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: September 9, 1965 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196509090.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

=====World Series and Yom Kippur decision=====
The Dodgers won the NL pennant on the second-to-last game of the season, against the [[1965 Milwaukee Braves season|Milwaukee Braves]]. Koufax started the game on two days' rest and pitched a complete game 3–1 win, striking out 13, to clinch the pennant for the Dodgers.{{efn|In his career, Koufax pitched in nine games on two days' rest, starting eight times. He never lasted less than seven innings, winning seven of those games and pitching a complete game six times.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 185–186.</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: October 2, 1965 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN196510020.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Koufax garnered national attention when he declined to start Game 1 of the [[1965 World Series]] as it [[Observance of Yom Kippur by Jewish athletes|clashed with Yom Kippur]], the holiest day in the Jewish calendar.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rosengren |first1=John |title=Sandy Koufax, Yom Kippur and the 1965 World Series |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/2015/09/23/sandy-koufax-yom-kippur-1965-world-series |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=September 23, 2015}}</ref> Instead, Drysdale pitched the opener, but was hit hard by the [[1965 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]]. When Dodgers manager [[Walter Alston]] came out to remove Drysdale from the game, the latter quipped: "I bet right now you wish I was Jewish, too."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stewart |first1=Larry |title=Drysdale Didn't Quite Have It This Day |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-04-sp-briefing4-story.html |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=November 4, 2003}}</ref>

In Game 2, Koufax pitched six innings, giving up two runs (one unearned); the Twins won 5–1 to take an early 2–0 lead in the series. The Dodgers fought back in Games 3 and 4, with wins by [[Claude Osteen]] and Drysdale. With the Series tied at 2–2, Koufax pitched a four-hit shutout in Game 5, striking out 10 batters, for a 3–2 Dodgers lead.

The Series returned to [[Metropolitan Stadium]] for Game 6, which the Twins' [[Mudcat Grant|Jim Grant]] won to force a seventh, decisive game. For the series clincher, Alston decided to start Koufax on two days' rest over the fully-rested Drysdale against the Twins' [[Jim Kaat]]. Pitching through fatigue and chronic pain, he threw a three-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts, despite the fact he did not have his curveball and relied almost entirely on his fastball.<ref>[[#Schoor|Schoor]], pp. 290–292.</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Briere |first1=Tom |title=L.A. Wins, 2–0, Take Series |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-1965-world-series/66578834/ |work=[[Star Tribune|Minneapolis Tribune]] |date=October 15, 1965}}</ref>

For his performance, Koufax won the [[World Series MVP Award]], the first player to be awarded it multiple times. Koufax also won the Hickok Belt for a second time, also the first time anyone won the belt more than once.<ref name="hickokbelt"/> That year, he was named the [[Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year|Sportsman of the Year]] by ''[[Sports Illustrated]]'' and [[Associated Press Athlete of the Year|Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year]] for a second time.<ref>[[#Koufax and Linn|Koufax and Linn]], pp. 256–268; [[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 167–194.</ref>

===Holdout===
{{Main|Koufax–Drysdale holdout}}
In the offseason, prior to the 1966 season, Koufax and Drysdale met separately with general manager [[Buzzie Bavasi]] to negotiate their contracts for the upcoming season. Koufax still harbored ill feelings towards Bavasi stemming from his contract dispute before the 1964 season.<ref>[[#Leahy|Leahy]], pp. 146–151, 173–175.</ref> After his meeting, he met Drysdale and his wife Ginger for dinner, irritated that Bavasi was using his own teammate against him in the salary negotiations. Drysdale responded that Bavasi had done the same thing with him. After comparing notes, they realized that Bavasi had played each pitcher against the other.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 204.</ref>

Ginger Drysdale, who had worked as a model and actress and was once a member of the [[Screen Actors Guild]], suggested the pair negotiate together to get what they wanted. Hence, in January 1966, Koufax and Drysdale informed the Dodgers of their decision to hold out together.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 205; [[#Leahy|Leahy]], p. 344.</ref><ref name="holdout">{{cite news |title=Book Excerpt: Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale 1966 Million-Dollar Contract Holdout |url=https://www.si.com/mlb/dodgers/news/book-excerpt-1966-sandy-koufax-don-drysdale-contract-holdout |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]] |date=March 18, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Koufax Drysdale Holdout Press Conference 1966.jpg|upright=1.05|thumb|left|Koufax and Drysdale, with Dodgers' GM [[Buzzie Bavasi]] ''(second from left)'' and actor [[Chuck Connors]] ''(far right)'', at a press conference announcing the signing of the pair to one-year contracts and the end of their joint holdout|alt="Four men sit on a couch; three look on as the fourth speaks to a group of reporters off camera"]]

In a highly unusual move for the time, they were represented by entertainment lawyer [[J. William Hayes]], Koufax's business manager. Also unusual was their demand of $1 million (${{Inflation|US|1|1966|r=1}} million today), divided equally over the next three years, or $167,000 (${{Inflation|US|0.167|1966|r=2}} million today) each for each of the next three seasons. They told Bavasi they would negotiate their contracts as one unit through their agent. The Dodgers refused to do so, stating it was against their policy, and a stalemate ensued. The front office began to wage a [[public relations]] campaign against the pair.<ref name="holdout"/>

Koufax and Drysdale did not report to spring training in February 1966. Instead, both signed to appear in the movie ''[[Warning Shot (1967 film)|Warning Shot]]''. Additionally, Koufax had signed a book deal to write his autobiography, ''Koufax'', with author [[Ed Linn]].<ref name="holdout"/> Meanwhile, Hayes unearthed a state law, the result of the ''[[De Havilland v. Warner Bros. Pictures]]'' case, that made it illegal to extend personal service contracts in California beyond seven years; he began to prepare a lawsuit which to challenge the [[reserve clause]]. When Dodgers owner [[Walter O'Malley]] found out about this, the team's front office softened their stance towards the pair.<ref name="holdout"/>

Actor and former baseball player [[Chuck Connors]] helped arrange a meeting between Bavasi and the two pitchers. Koufax gave Drysdale the go-ahead to negotiate new deals on behalf of both of them. At the end of the thirty-two day holdout, Koufax signed for $125,000 (${{Inflation|US|0.125|1966|r=2}} million today) and Drysdale for $110,000 (${{Inflation|US|0.110|1966|r=2}} million today).<ref name="holdout"/> The deal made Koufax the highest paid player in [[Major League Baseball]] for 1966.<ref>{{cite web |title=MLB's annual salary leaders since 1874 |url=https://sabr.org/research/article/mlbs-annual-salary-leaders-since-1874/ |work=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref>

The holdout was the first significant event in baseball's labor movement and the first time major league players challenged the absolute stronghold the owners held in baseball at the time. That same year, trade unionist [[Marvin Miller]] used the Koufax–Drysdale holdout as an argument for [[collective bargaining]] while campaigning for players' votes during spring training; he would soon be elected by the players as first executive director of the [[Major League Baseball Players Association]].<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 205–210; [[#Leahy|Leahy]], pp. 342–348.</ref>

====1966 season====
[[File:Los Angeles Dodgers at Philadelphia Phillies 1966-10-2.jpg|right|thumb|upright=0.65|A ticket from the October 2, 1966 game between the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and the [[Philadelphia Phillies]], where Koufax earned his final career win|alt="A ticket from an October 1966 game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies at Shibe Park."]]

In April 1966, Kerlan told Koufax it was time to retire and that his arm could not take another season. By this time, Koufax could no longer straighten his arm and it occasionally went numb, causing him to drop anything he was holding. Koufax kept Kerlan's advice to himself, having decided the year before to make 1966 his last season. He went out to pitch every fourth day, accumulating 323 innings and not missing a start.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], p. 222.</ref>

He posted a 27–9 win-loss record, with 317 [[strikeout]]s and a 1.73 [[earned run average]], and won his third pitching Triple Crown.<ref name="triplecrown"/> Koufax won his third unanimous Cy Young Award, the first pitcher ever to win three,<ref name="cyyoungaward"/> and was again runner-up for the National League MVP Award, finishing behind [[Roberto Clemente]] of the Pirates.{{efn|While Koufax received more first place votes than Clemente did in the 1966 MVP race, the latter had a higher vote share, edging out Koufax by 78% to 74%.}}<ref name="mvp"/>

On September 25, the day after Yom Kippur, Koufax matched up with [[Ken Holtzman]] of the [[1966 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]], a fellow Jewish southpaw.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sherman |first1=Ed |title=Sandy Koufax vs. Ken Holtzman: The 1966 matchup of two Jewish pitching stars |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/2016/09/15/sandy-koufax-vs-ken-holtzman-the-1966-matchup-of-two-jewish-pitching-stars/ |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=September 15, 2016 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> At [[Wrigley Field]], Koufax allowed only two runs (one unearned), both in the first inning, but lost by a 2–1 score. Holtzman carried a no-hitter into the 9th, allowing only one run and one hit. It was Koufax's last regular season loss.<ref>{{cite web |title=Los Angeles Dodgers vs Chicago Cubs Box Score: September 25, 1966 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN196609250.shtml |website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref>

In the final game of the regular season, the Dodgers had to beat the Phillies to win the pennant. In the second game of a doubleheader, Koufax faced [[Jim Bunning]] for the second time that season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI196610022.shtml|title=Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: October 2, 1966|website=Baseball-Reference.com}}</ref> On two days' rest, Koufax pitched a 6–3 complete-game victory to clinch the pennant, the final win of his career.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sandy Koufax's final victory might have been his best. |url=https://www.espn.in/mlb/story/_/id/17671148/los-angeles-dodgers-pitcher-sandy-koufax-relives-finest-game |last1=Wulf |first1=Steve |work=[[ESPN]] |date=September 30, 2016}}</ref>

During the fifth inning, Koufax injured his back while pitching to [[Gary Sutherland]] who was pinch-hitting for Bunning. After the inning, he went to the trainer's room where the injury was diagnosed as a [[slipped disc]]. Dodger trainers Bill Buehler and Wayne Anderson applied Capsolin on his back and, along with former Dodger [[Don Newcombe]], pulled Koufax in opposite directions until the disc slipped back into place.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 232–233.</ref>

The Dodgers went on to face the [[1966 Baltimore Orioles season|Baltimore Orioles]] in the [[1966 World Series]]. As Koufax had pitched the pennant clincher just three days earlier, [[Walter Alston]] was reluctant to start him in Game 1 for what would have been two consecutive starts on two days' rest. Instead, Drysdale started in Koufax's place; he proved to be ineffective, however, recording only six outs and losing 5–2.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skelton |first1=David E. |title=A Season-Ending Doubleheader and its Impact on the 1966 World Series |url=https://sabr.org/journal/article/a-season-ending-doubleheader-and-its-impact-on-the-1966-world-series/ |work=Society for American Baseball Research}}</ref>

In Game 2, his third start in eight days, Koufax shut out the Orioles for the first four innings. However, three errors by Dodgers centerfielder [[Willie Davis (baseball)|Willie Davis]] in the fifth inning produced three unearned runs. The only earned run allowed by Koufax was the result of Davis losing a fly ball hit by [[Frank Robinson]] which fell for a triple; Robinson subsequently scored on a single by [[Boog Powell]]. Koufax did not receive any run support either; Baltimore's 20-year-old future Hall of Famer [[Jim Palmer]] pitched a four-hit shutout, and the Orioles won 6–0.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 234–236.</ref>

Alston lifted Koufax at the end of the sixth inning with the idea of getting him extra rest before a potential fifth game. Instead, the Dodgers were swept in four games. [[Claude Osteen]] and Drysdale both lost by a score of 1–0 in Games 3 and 4 respectively, with the offense failing to score a single run after having scored just two in Game 1.<ref>[[#Schoor|Schoor]], pp. 293–295.</ref>

===Retirement===
[[File:Sandy_Koufax_at_press_conference.jpg|thumb|upright=0.9|Koufax announces his retirement, November 1966|alt="A man with black hair and in a suit speaks into a collection of microphones in front of him]]

On November 18, 1966, Koufax announced his retirement from baseball in a press conference at the [[Beverly Wilshire Hotel]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Koufax, Dodger Pitching Star, Retires Because of Ailing Arm |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1966/11/19/archives/koufax-dodger-pitching-star-retires-because-of-ailing-arm-fearing-a.html |work=[[The New York Times]] |agency=Associated Press |date=November 19, 1966 |via=TimesMachine |url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Too Many Shots, Too Many Pills |url=https://time.com/archive/6889792/baseball-too-many-shots-too-many-pills/ |access-date=June 21, 2024 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=November 25, 1966}}</ref> He cited the treatments that were required to make it possible for him pitch regularly and the possibility of losing the use of his arm as the reasons for retiring at age 30:

{{blockquote|I've got a lot of years to live after baseball and I would like to live them with the 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Video: Dodgers icon Sandy Koufax retires at the age of 30 |url=https://www.espn.com/video/clip/_/id/27250314 |work=[[ESPN]]|date=July 24, 2019}}</ref>}}

With the Dodgers touring [[Japan]] at the time, nobody from the team's front office was present at the press conference. Koufax, who told [[Buzzie Bavasi]] of his decision a few days before the conference, refused his request to delay his retirement until after the [[winter meetings]] in order to facilitate a few deals in the Dodgers' favor or to wait until owner [[Walter O'Malley]] returned from Japan, having already once delayed it and feeling he was being deceitful to sportswriters asking him about his future plans. In turn, Bavasi refused to attend the conference.<ref>[[#Leahy|Leahy]], p. 390.</ref>

The announcement of his retirement came as a shock, particularly to his teammates. Soon afterwards, Koufax told an incredulous [[Dick Tracewski]], his old Dodger roommate, that he could have continued to pitch but would have risked disability if he did so: "My arm still hurts. I can't go on doing this medication thing and [[pitcher#pitching biomechanics|pitching]]. It's going to kill me... Lots of bad things could happen. I just gotta retire." Years later, Koufax stated that he never regretted retiring when he did but did regret having to make the decision to retire.<ref>[[#Leavy|Leavy]], pp. 236–239; [[#Leahy|Leahy]], pp. 389–391.</ref>

Koufax's retirement ended a five-year run in which he went 111–34 with a 1.95 earned run average and 1,444 strikeouts. During that run, he led the Dodgers to three [[National League (baseball)|National League]] pennants and two [[World Series]] titles, in both of which he was named the series MVP. He won [[Cy Young Award]]s in each of the pennant-winning years and also won the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|NL Most Valuable Player Award]] in 1963.<ref name="bbref-skoufax"/>