Sandy Koufax Signed OML Baseball (JSA LOA)

Rawlings Official Major League Baseball. Hand-signed in blue ink by Sandy Koufax (Dodgers).

Sandy Koufax played his entire MLB career for the Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers. He retired at the peak of his career, and in 1972 became the youngest player ever elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, age 36 years and 20 days.

Koufax's career peaked with a run of six outstanding seasons from 1961 to 1966, before arthritis in his left elbow ended his career prematurely at age 30. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1963. He also won the 1963, 1965, and 1966 Cy Young Awards by unanimous votes, making him the first 3-time Cy Young winner in baseball history and the only one to win 3 times when the award was for all of baseball, not just one league. In each of his Cy Young seasons, Koufax won the pitcher's triple crown by leading the NL in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average. Koufax's totals would also have led the American League in those seasons.

Koufax was the first major leaguer to pitch four no-hitters (including the eighth perfect game in baseball history). Despite his comparatively short career, Koufax's 2,396 career strikeouts ranked 7th in history as of his retirement, trailing only Warren Spahn (2,583) among left-handers. Koufax and Nolan Ryan are the only two pitchers inducted into the Hall of Fame who had more strikeouts than innings pitched.

The autograph includes an official James Spence Authentication (JSA) hologram and matching LOA for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: JSA LOA

Due to the uniqueness of each item, please refer to the photos provided in this auction. We offer high resolution images of each item rather than a written description of condition.

This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.