KOUFAX; Some of the Greatest Five Years Ever

 

 TRIVIA WINNER: Bob and Irish Meusel were the two brothers who stole a combined 256 bases in their 11 year careers. 50 points were awarded for correct answers which brings to a close this year's trivia contest. We have a winner. 

The winner is --Tim Fealy of Punta Gorda, Florida, with a total of 375 points. We will be sending him a $50 Starbucks Gift Card. Others right behind him Craig McGraw 360, Ken Levassuer 345 and Mickey Bauchan 335. This also brings to an end our Trivia Contest for points and gifts. We will still provide a trivia question each week and we hope you participate even though there is no prize at the end - Thank you very much. 

NEW TRIVIA QUESTION: Which former Dodger executive, now with another team, had first shot at signing Sandy Koufax but delayed offering him a contract? Name the Executive and the team.  TOTAL 50 POINTS. 

From 1961 - 1966 there were a lot great pitchers but really none could match the lefty from Brooklyn, Sandy Koufax. Bob Gibson was perhaps the toughest and meanest, Juan Marichal the trickiest, but Koufax was nearly unhittable at times.

Born New Year's Eve 1935, he was a gift to the Brooklyn Dodgers. Signed shortly after high School, he started his big league career at age 19, with side trips to Columbia, and Cincinnati Universities. His debut was June 24, 1955 facing Johnny Logan of the Braves who got a single. He walked Henry Aaron, Eddie Mathews reached via an error, and struck out Bobby Thomson. It was his first strikeout. He'd retire after 2395 more. In that first game he pitched two scoreless innings in a Dodgers' loss, where he struck out two batters, giving up a lone hit. 

His four no-hitters, which included a perfect game, were evidence that on any given night, Koufax could not only shut out the opposition but leave them baffled with zero hits. The fact this writer got to watch him and meet him, I can attest he was among the most awesome in history.

His 1965 season was record breaking with 26-8, 27 complete games and 382 strike-outs. How do you better that? You do almost the same thing the next season; 27-9, 27 complete games and 317 strikeouts. His ERA went up from 1.93 to 2.07. However, his WHIP went from .0855 to .0985. Two of the most amazing back-to-back seasons in history. And his last due to arthritis in his elbow.

In 1963 he was 25-5. In the process he won three Cy Young Awards and a National League MVP. He was THE lefty of the 1960s. His retirement ended a five-year run in which he was 111-34, with a 1.95 ERA and 1444 K's.                             ===========================================================

I've written more than a dozen books including at least two sports books. You can find these at my own website www.bobbrillbooks.com. Please take a look at the sports books, the western novel series or the "Tattoo Murder," which is a crime book set in Ventura, CA. The newest book is an international thriller called ":05 Seconds to Die."

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