Perfect Game - Sandy Koufax

 I previously mentioned that the Don Larsen perfect game was the greatest pitched game of all time, and I stand by that true statement. However, there are people who believe that Sandy Koufax is up there on the all time list with his own perfect game on September 9, 1965. The lowly Chicago Cubs weren't exactly like the NL champion Brooklyn Dodgers that Larsen pitched against, but Koufax and his 14 Ks is an impressive counter argument.

Sandy Koufax had a 12 year career where the first half was very ho-hum and pedestrian...but boy, what a 2nd half. The man punched his ticket to Cooperstown with 6 of the most dominating years of pitching very few could ever hope to replicate. 4 no-hitters, 3 Cy Young awards and an MVP to go with 2 World Series MVPs. When you talk about an all time Dodgers lineup, the only question for the pitching staff is who follows after Koufax in the rotation.

Some cards, you question how they pulled off a perfecto. Not with Sandy where he offers fantastic control and 8 elite innings. The only question is how a 3-8 strikeout chart can net 14 Ks.

The game itself was pretty impressive on both ends. Opposing starter Bob Hendley took a perfect game of his own into the 5th inning and a no-hitter into the 7th. All in all, both the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs combined for 1 single for hits in the 1-0 Dodgers win. Lou Johnson drew a walk on a 3-2 pitch that barely missed the zone, then he took 2nd base on a sacrifice bunt attempt, stole 3rd base then went home when the throw to 3rd was air mailed into left field.

After the championship 1965 season, Koufax pitched one more All Star, Cy Young winning, almost MVP season where his Dodgers fell short in the World Series against the Orioles. Then at the young age of 30, to the shock of teammates and fans, Sandy Koufax retired, citing the pain he pitched in was too unbearable.

Rookie backstop Jeff Torborg had the honor of catching the perfect game.

Johnson was the hero for the offense. He drew the walk, scored the lone run and had the only Dodger hit on the day.

Bob Hendley's pitching line that was was a stellar 8IP, 1H, 1R, 0ER, 1BB, 3K. On most days that would be more than enough to easily win the game. Not with Sandy Koufax on the other side.

Sandy Koufax authored 3 other no-hitters in his career. One look at all of those cards and you wonder how Koufax ONLY pitched 4 no-hitters.