The first of many

Sandy Koufax, then a 19-year-old rookie armed with a blazing fastball but with little command of the strike zone, earns his first major league victory 68 years ago today.

He allows only two hits while striking out 14 and walking five in Brooklyn's 7-0 victory over Cincinnati before a Saturday afternoon crowd of 7,204 at Ebbets Field.

Koufax wins another 164 games over the next 11-plus seasons for the Dodgers with 97 of those victories coming in his final four seasons of his first-ballot, Hall of Fame career.

Koufax is one of six future Hall of Famers in Brooklyn’s lineup 68 years ago today against the Reds — joining Jackie Robinson, who is playing third base for this game; shortstop Pee Wee Reese; first baseman Gil Hodges; center fielder Duke Snider and catcher Roy Campanella.

Previous
Previous

Up on the roof

Next
Next

On an island with Willie Mays