This Week in Baseball History: 12/27 – 1/2
This week in baseball history witnessed the birth of a Hall of Fame pitcher and the death of a Hall of Fame outfielder.
December 30, 1935: Sandy Koufax is born in Brooklyn, New York
In his time at Lafayette High School, Sandy Koufax focused on basketball. Baseball was not a major part of his life until he attended college at the University of Cincinnati. Within a year of playing baseball in college, Koufax was seen as a top major league prospect and he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers. In his major league debut, Sandy threw two innings against the Milwaukee Braves. He allowed one hit, gave up one walk and struck out two men.
In his first complete game on August 27, 1955, he struck out 14 batters and allowed just two hits and no runs to the Cincinnati Reds. His early years with the Dodgers were bumpy as the result of just picking up the game of baseball and a lack of control around the plate. He could not work his way into the regular rotation until the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles in the offseason of 1957-58. The summer of 1958 saw Sandy Koufax experiencing regular starts for the first time of his career. He pitched his way to an 11-11 record and an ERA of 4.48.
It would not be until 1961 when Koufax would get his feet under him in the league and begin his march to the Hall of Fame. The summer of 1961 was the first of Sandy Koufax’s six straight All-Star seasons. The 1963 season saw Koufax secure both the Cy Young Award and the Most Valuable Player Award for the National League. In that season he had a 25-5 record, a 1.88 ERA and 11 shutouts, each the best of any pitcher that season. The next season, he bested his ERA from the year before at 1.74.
In his final two seasons in 1965 and 1966, Koufax secured his second and third Cy Young Awards. In those seasons, he had records of 26-8 and 27-9 respectively, along with ERAs of 2.04 and 1.73. Each statistic was the best in the league. Coupled with his 27 complete games in each season, his final two years were ones for the ages.
Sandy was forced to retire from baseball at the age of 30 due to severe arthritis in his elbow. In his first year eligible for election into the Hall of Fame, Koufax was elected and given the honor of being the youngest person elected at the age of 35.
December 31, 1972: Roberto Clemente dies at age 38
On this date, the game of baseball lost one of the most sincere and loving men to play the game. On a goodwill trip to Nicaragua to deliver supplies to the victims of an earthquake, Roberto Clemente lost his life when his plane crashed off the coast Puerto Rico.
Clemente began his career in 1955 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His first All-Star season came in 1960 when he batted .312 with 94 RBIs. In that season, he helped the Buccos secure a seven-game World Series victory over the New York Yankees. His next World Series win would not come for another eleven years. In 1971, Clemente led the team to another seven-game victory over the Baltimore Orioles. Clemente batted .414 in the Series and was named the MVP.
In his illustrious career, Roberto Clemente collected 12 straight Gold Gloves while he manned right field in Pittsburgh. He won the National League MVP in the 1966 season. He eclipsed the 3,000 hit mark late in his last season of 1972.
Roberto Clemente believed that part of being a baseball player and a human being included giving back to the community and helping in any way that you could. As a testament to his impact on the game and the baseball community and the manner in which he passed away, the BBWA exempted him from the mandatory five-year waiting period to be elected into the Hall of Fame. Less than a year after his passing, his legacy was enshrined in the form of a plaque in Cooperstown, New York.
As a testament to his character and enduring impact on the game, each year a player is awarded with the Roberto Clemente Award. This award is given to the player who “best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual’s contribution to his team.”
Next: Dodgers sign Scott Kazmir
The impact that Roberto Clemente had on the game is still felt today. Now more than ever we see baseball players helping their communities. Beyond the game of baseball, Clemente received awards for his service to the community. In May of 1973, he received posthumously the Roberto Walker Clemente Congressional Gold Medal and the Presidential Citizens Medal. In July of 2003 Clemente would posthumously receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom to complete the trifecta of three of the highest civilian honors a person can be given in the United States.