Lefty

Sandy Koufax, born Sanford Ronald Koufax, was a dominant left-handed pitcher for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. His career, though tragically cut short by injuries, was nothing short of spectacular, leaving an indelible mark on baseball history.

Early Struggles and Breakthrough

Koufax's beginnings were far from promising. Initially plagued by control issues and inconsistency, he spent several years hopping between the minors and the majors. Yet, his raw talent was undeniable, and in 1962, everything clicked. He won 25 games, struck out 253 batters, and led the Dodgers to their first World Series title in Los Angeles. This marked the beginning of a three-year stretch of extraordinary dominance.
Peak Years and the Triple Crown

The next three seasons cemented Koufax's legend. He won the Triple Crown (leader in wins, strikeouts, and ERA) three times - the only pitcher in history to do so. In 1963, he posted a 1.88 ERA, the lowest in the National League since 1920. His 1965 season was even more remarkable. He finished 26-8 with a 2.76 ERA and a whopping 382 strikeouts, a single-season record that stood for 36 years. His curveball, nicknamed "The Hook" for its devastating break, was virtually unhittable, often leaving batters flailing in desperation.

World Series Hero and Early Retirement

Koufax played a pivotal role in the Dodgers' World Series wins in 1963 and 1965, earning MVP honors in both. His 1965 performance stands out for his near-perfect Game 5. He struck out 10 of the 27 batters he faced, allowing only one hit and no runs. Sadly, injuries began to take their toll on Koufax's elbow, forcing him to retire at the young age of 31, just when he seemed destined for even greater heights.

Legacy and Honors

Despite his short career, Koufax's impact on baseball is undeniable. He holds numerous records and has been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving the honor unanimously in 1972. His talent, his dominance, and his tragic early retirement all contribute to his mystique and make him one of the most iconic and admired figures in baseball history.
Here are some additional facts and achievements that highlight Koufax's extraordinary career:

-Four no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1965

-Three Cy Young Awards

-Seven All-Star selections

-Winning percentage of .655 (highest among starting pitchers with at least 200 wins)

-Struck out more than 200 batters in five seasons

-Only pitcher in history to win the Triple Crown, strike out at least 250 batters, and have a sub-2.00 ERA in the same season (1963)

Sandy Koufax may not have had a lengthy career, but his talent, achievements, and sportsmanship earned him a place among the greatest pitchers of all time.

ThisDayinBaseball.com takes a wide sweep of May 29 baseball history an among the items in their net are pieces of history such as:
1880 - Boston with George Wright in its lineup‚ upsets a tough Chicago squad.
1905 - Possibly the 1st spitball is thrown by a player named Elmer Stricklett
1916 - Christy Mathewson pitches the New York Giants to their 17th consecutive road victory.


1928 - Bill Terry hits for the cycle to lead the Giants to a 12 – 5 win over Brooklyn.

1941 - Ted Williams is 3 for 5 and scores a pair in the Red Sox’s 6 – 4 win over the A’s. Ted will score 2 or more runs for the next 7 games, giving him 8 in a row.

1942 - New York’s Lefty Gomez‚ self-described as the worst-hitting pitcher in baseball‚ bangs out 4 hits in pitching a four-hit‚ 16 – 1 victory over Washington. They are his last major league hits. Buddy Hassett adds 4 hits as well.

1951 -Indians hurler Bob Lemon one-hits the Tigers, 2 – 1.

1955 - Larry Doby of the Indians hits the first major league homer.

The BleedCubbieBlue.com crew goes all out to share some top moments on baseball for June 11 including:
1904 - After pitching 9.1 innings of no-hit baseball, Cubs’ hurler Bob Wicker settles for a 1-0, twelve inning one-hit victory over the Giants.
1911 - Heinie Zimmerman of the Cubs drives in nine runs to set a team record.
1927 - The Philadelphia Athletics field a team of seven future Hall of Famers in the 9th inning: Ty Cobb (RF), Mickey Cochrane (PH), Eddie Collins (2B), Jimmie Foxx (1B), Lefty Grove (P), Al Simmons (CF) and Zack Wheat (LF).

The ThisDayinBaseball.com website provides dozens of June 9 events including these gems:
1914 - Honus Wagner becomes the first player in baseball’s modern era to reach 3,000 hits.
1934 - Boston hurler Lefty Grove becomes the first pitcher in major league history to yield six doubles in one inning.
1946 - Ted Williams hits the longest homerun at Fenway Park.
1963 - Ernie Banks drills three HRs including two off Sandy Koufax.

The ThisDayinBaseball.com website provides dozens of June 17 events, including this milestone moment:
1978 - Ron Guidry set a left-handed pitcher record with 18 Ks.

Steven Norman Carlton, affectionately known as "Lefty," wasn't just a pitcher; he was an artist of the mound, painting his masterpieces with every curveball, screwball, and fastball. His MLB career, spanning 24 seasons and six teams, left behind a canvas of incredible achievements and a legacy that redefined pitching dominance.

Early Beginnings and Rise to Stardom:

-Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1965, Carlton's raw talent was evident, but inconsistency plagued his early years.

-A trade to the Philadelphia Phillies in 1972 proved the turning point. Under manager Gene Mauch and with the guidance of veteran Tim McCarver, Carlton blossomed into a complete pitcher.


The Pinnacle of Perfection:

-From 1972 to 1982, Carlton entered a stratosphere of pitching excellence. He won four Cy Young Awards, including a historic Triple Crown in 1972 (leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts).

-Carlton's repertoire of pitches was a symphony of deception. His screwball, known as "Uncle Charlie," left batters flailing in thin air, and his pinpoint control made him nearly unhittable.

-He reached the 300-win mark in 1983, and by the end of his career, he had amassed 4,136 strikeouts, placing him second all-time among left-handed pitchers.