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1966 Sandy Koufax Last Career Win Photograph (PSA Type I)
Displayed is an original News Service Photo of Hall of Fame left-hander Sandy Koufax taken during his final career win, a 6-3 complete game victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Oct. 2, 1966, in the Los Angeles Dodgers' away game at Connie Mack Stadium. By 1966, Koufax was increasingly concerned about arthritis in his pitching arm and the distinct possibility that his arm could become crippled for life if he continued to pitch, but Koufax did not make any prior announcement that 1966 would be his final season. In this final victory, a crucial game that the Dodgers needed to win the pennant. Koufax had the Phillies shut out until the 9th inning when with one out, the Phillies, trailing 6-0, rallied for three runs, with the big hit a 2-run double by Bill White. Koufax then bore down and retired the final two Phillies' batters, clinching the win with a strikeout of Jackie Brandt. Koufax had a regular season record of 27-9 in '66, with a 1.73 ERA, and 317 strikeouts in 323.0 innings, winning his second consecutive Cy Young Award. Overall, Koufax had an astounding final four seasons in his career, winning the Cy Young Award in three of his last four seasons, in 1963, '65, and '66. Sandy also won the (pitching) Triple Crown three times. Koufax became the first pitcher to pitch four no-hitters, and his 1965 perfect game was the first in the modern era for a left-hander. Koufax pitched his entire career with the Dodgers, starting in Brooklyn and finishing in Los Angeles, but he really only had four outstanding seasons at the end of his career and a few good seasons just before that, in '61 and '62, so he had a lifetime record of "only" 165-87. The offered Type I black & white 7x9" photograph was taken by United Press International. The back of the photo's suggested caption reads, in part, "PHILADELPHIA: The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitcher Sandy Koufax pauses on the mound at the start of a second game of a double-header against the Phillies Oct. 2 as the scoreboard flashes the Giants-Pirates score. Koufax, who had to win the game in order to clinch the pennant, pitched his team into the World Series with a 6-3 victory." This Oct. 2nd Koufax victory was also the last time in his career that Koufax pitched effectively, or even pitched at all, as in the '66 World Series, Koufax was hit hard and lost Game 2 to the Baltimore Orioles, and he never again pitched in the rest of the Orioles' World Series sweep, or afterwards. In any event, in the displayed photo, close examination of Koufax will reveal that despite the tension of the upcoming game, he seems to be actually smiling just a bit. At the time, he probably knew or at least suspected, that this would be his last regular season game, and the great pitcher seems confident, at home on the mound regardless of the tension of the moment. The photo has been encapsulated and certified by PSA as Type I Authentic.
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