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Today is Yom Kippur.
55 years ago, Dodgers Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax introduced many to this Jewish Holiday. He famously refused to pitch on this day which happened to fall during Game 1 of the 1965 World Series.
THREAD: When Koufax risked breach of contract for his religion.
55 years ago, Dodgers Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax introduced many to this Jewish Holiday. He famously refused to pitch on this day which happened to fall during Game 1 of the 1965 World Series.
THREAD: When Koufax risked breach of contract for his religion.
The 1965 season was peak Koufax.
26-8 with a sparkling 2.04 ERA earned him the Cy Young award. His 2nd in 3 seasons. But the 382 strikeouts were most impressive. No one had racked up that many K's in the 79 years leading up to that point and only 1 has done it since, Nolan Ryan.
26-8 with a sparkling 2.04 ERA earned him the Cy Young award. His 2nd in 3 seasons. But the 382 strikeouts were most impressive. No one had racked up that many K's in the 79 years leading up to that point and only 1 has done it since, Nolan Ryan.
On September 8, 1965, then MLB Commissioner Ford Frick decided that the World Series would start on 10/6, Yom Kippur.
At the time, the Dodgers were in 2nd--fighting for the NL Pennant. This was going to be a problem for Koufax since he was expected to start Game 1 as L.A.'s ace.
At the time, the Dodgers were in 2nd--fighting for the NL Pennant. This was going to be a problem for Koufax since he was expected to start Game 1 as L.A.'s ace.
On October 1st, while the Dodgers were in a tight Pennant race with the SF Giants, media became aware of this potential Yom Kippur conflict and repeatedly asked Koufax what he would do.
“I’m praying for rain Wednesday (Oct. 6). It has to rain. It would solve the whole matter.”
“I’m praying for rain Wednesday (Oct. 6). It has to rain. It would solve the whole matter.”
“From what I’ve been told, there are no dispensations for this particular day. But then I haven’t really talked about it to a Rabbi. If we sew up the pennant, I plan to take it up... If I’m told it isn’t proper to pitch, then I won’t because I wouldn’t feel right about it."
IF Koufax refused to pitch -even though fully healthy- many asked if he could be held in breach of contract?
Walter O'Malley, Dodgers owner, quickly made this a moot point.
“I won’t let Sandy pitch on Yom Kippur under any circumstances...I can’t let the boy do that to himself.”
Walter O'Malley, Dodgers owner, quickly made this a moot point.
“I won’t let Sandy pitch on Yom Kippur under any circumstances...I can’t let the boy do that to himself.”
Fans were split.
Notably, 30 years prior, Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg won the hearts of Detroit Tigers fans by playing –and hitting two home runs– on Rosh Hashanah, another Jewish high holiday.
So there was no MLB precedent for Koufax to REFUSE to play. He would make history.
Notably, 30 years prior, Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg won the hearts of Detroit Tigers fans by playing –and hitting two home runs– on Rosh Hashanah, another Jewish high holiday.
So there was no MLB precedent for Koufax to REFUSE to play. He would make history.
The Dodgers won the Pennant and would face the Twins in the World Series.
L.A's owner Walter O'Malley was true to his word.
Taking the decision out of Koufax's hand, he announced that Don Drysdale would start Game 1, on Yom Kippur, and that Koufax would get the ball in Game 2.
L.A's owner Walter O'Malley was true to his word.
Taking the decision out of Koufax's hand, he announced that Don Drysdale would start Game 1, on Yom Kippur, and that Koufax would get the ball in Game 2.
On October 6th, Don Drysdale took the hill in Koufax's place... he was hit HARD. Minnesota cruised to an 8-2 victory and a 1-0 series lead.
Drysdale is reported to have asked the Dodgers manager if he wished “I was Jewish today, too,” so that he wouldn't have been able to pitch.
Drysdale is reported to have asked the Dodgers manager if he wished “I was Jewish today, too,” so that he wouldn't have been able to pitch.
Koufax threw a gem in his Game 2 return: 6 IP, 1 ER, 9 K, 1 BB...but the team lost again and fell behind 0-2 in the World Series.
Undeterred, the Dodgers fought back-- and eventually evened the series at 3-3 forcing a pivotal Game 7 in Minnesota.
Of course, Koufax got the ball.
Undeterred, the Dodgers fought back-- and eventually evened the series at 3-3 forcing a pivotal Game 7 in Minnesota.
Of course, Koufax got the ball.
Koufax responded. Pitching on just 2 days’ rest, he tossed a complete game shutout, 3-hitter, with 10 strikeouts.
The Dodgers won the game, the World Series, and Koufax was the only choice for World Series MVP.
His iconic performance forever etched his name is baseball history.
The Dodgers won the game, the World Series, and Koufax was the only choice for World Series MVP.
His iconic performance forever etched his name is baseball history.
“A man is entitled to his belief and I believe I should not work on Yom Kippur. It’s as simple as all that and I have never had any trouble on that account since I’ve been in baseball.”
- Sandy Koufax
- Sandy Koufax
A valuable life lesson.
Some things are more important than work— be it religion, family, or otherwise. A good boss will always understand.
Here, Walter O’Malley could’ve threatened breach of contract but- instead -he stood up for Koufax and played an important role in history.
Some things are more important than work— be it religion, family, or otherwise. A good boss will always understand.
Here, Walter O’Malley could’ve threatened breach of contract but- instead -he stood up for Koufax and played an important role in history.
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Sources:
Baseball Reference: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koufasa01.shtml
Baseball Hall of Fame:
https://baseballhall.org/discover/sandy-koufax-sits-out-game-one
Sources:
Baseball Reference: https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/k/koufasa01.shtml
Baseball Hall of Fame:
https://baseballhall.org/discover/sandy-koufax-sits-out-game-one
