Major League hitters would learn of Sandy Koufax' overpowering talent, particularly after he honed his control. Koufax pitched a National League record four no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1965. Twice he fanned 18 batters in a game and led the National League in strikeouts four times. He retired on top of his game in 1966 with 27 wins, his third Cy Young award and a chronically arthritic pitching elbow. In 1972, he became the youngest player, 36, to be elected to the Hall of Fame.
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| Sandy Koufax took time to address
UC's baseball team during his first trip back to the university since departing for
the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1954. photo/Dottie Stover |
Though the Ed Jucker weekend in February was the first face-to-face reunion between Koufax and his old college coach, they have maintained contact. "It means a lot that he was a member of our team," Jucker said.
"He brought a lot of class to the team. It took more than just a good arm. He was a smart young man and took good care of himself. That is why he had his accomplishments."
Accomplishments are something both men share, but their feats are a rare topic of conversation. "When I talk to Sandy, I like to talk to him as a person, rather than a man who struck out so many batters," he said. "You can find that in the record books. He was a gentleman and a classy guy on and off the field."
Koufax proved his class last July after being named to baseball's All-Century team. It had been years since the two had spoken. Koufax phoned, not to talk about his exciting honor, but to inquire about Jucker's wife, Joanne, who had been in poor health.
Said Jucker: "I asked him how things were going, and he said, 'I don't want to talk to you about that. I want to know how your wife is.' I'll never forget that. It meant so much to me."