Last Inning of Sandy Koufax's Perfect Game

[cloakedarbiter]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but because of the way our club has been doing this first half of the 2005 season (that 12-2 start was awhile ago, huh), I feel it necessary that I share this treat with any disappointed Los Angeles Dodger fans still lingering in this forum. This is Vin Scully broadcasting the last inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game at Dodger Stadium on September 9, 1965:

9th Inning of Sandy Koufax's Perfect Game (http://www.doubledogmusic.com/baseball/Scully_Koufax_Perfect.mp3)

Anyone who lived and remembers that perfect game, the Ford-Koufax game, or any other stories about Sandy Koufax, feel free to share with the rest of us. I know it might be a little condescending for me to dwell in the colorful and rich history of the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than think about the present and the future, but I, and I'm sure many Dodger fans, cannot tolerate this AAA team.

[shlevine42]

Scully's call was, and still is, the best piece of baseball writing I've ever seen.

It's like a short story. with tension, rising and falling drama, great turns of phrase. AND IT CAME OFF THE TOP OF HIS HEAD,, at a moment when, like the man whose feat he was describing, he knew he had to be at the top of his game.

There's not a single misstep. Scully never once fumbles for a word, makes a false start or trips over himself. And unlike today's announcers, he knows exactly when not to speak. His 38 seconds of silence after the last strike to Kuenn -- his restraint in letting the crowd noise punctuate the event -- is broadcasting brilliance.

It's a masterpiece.

[flash143817]

His call of Gibby's HR remains my favorite HR call ever:

"In a season that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!"

[whatswailing]

Seriously, Vin's call of that home run is way better than Buck's.

[Ontarioguy]

His call of Gibby's HR remains my favorite HR call ever:

"In a season that has been so improbable, the impossible has happened!"
I was watching ESPN2's 'cold pizza' last week and were interviewing Kirk Gibson because he's being put on the front of the Wheaties Box. They even came up with an add for it which is some old-time beer-leaguer who's going up to the plate to the call made by Scully as Gibson was coming to the plate. Sure enough he hits the HR while Scully maes the call. He even pumps the fists while rounding the bases :laugh Great add that I wish was available here in Canada.

Vin Scully sure is great! :radio

[Brannu]

Vin Scully is the greatest of all-time.

[flash143817]

I was watching ESPN2's 'cold pizza' last week and were interviewing Kirk Gibson because he's being put on the front of the Wheaties Box. They even came up with an add for it which is some old-time beer-leaguer who's going up to the plate to the call made by Scully as Gibson was coming to the plate. Sure enough he hits the HR while Scully maes the call. He even pumps the fists while rounding the bases :laugh Great add that I wish was available here in Canada.

Vin Scully sure is great! :radio

I've seen that commercial. Really awesome commercial all around. Now all they need to add to it is some brake lights in right field.

[Ontarioguy]

I've seen that commercial. Really awesome commercial all around. Now all they need to add to it is some brake lights in right field.
Gibson was talking about those brake lights saying it was his favourite aspect of hitting that HR: Seeing all those people who had given up and were leaving jam their breaks as they heared the call on the Radio.

[LivnLegend]

I'm not sure if this has been posted before, but because of the way our club has been doing this first half of the 2005 season (that 12-2 start was awhile ago, huh), I feel it necessary that I share this treat with any disappointed Los Angeles Dodger fans still lingering in this forum. This is Vin Scully broadcasting the last inning of Sandy Koufax's perfect game at Dodger Stadium on September 9, 1965:

9th Inning of Sandy Koufax's Perfect Game (http://www.doubledogmusic.com/baseball/Scully_Koufax_Perfect.mp3)

Anyone who lived and remembers that perfect game, the Ford-Koufax game, or any other stories about Sandy Koufax, feel free to share with the rest of us. I know it might be a little condescending for me to dwell in the colorful and rich history of the Los Angeles Dodgers rather than think about the present and the future, but I, and I'm sure many Dodger fans, cannot tolerate this AAA team.

Thanks for the link. I had that on LP when I was a kid along with Vin's call of Don Drysdale's consecutive streak when he hit Dick Dietz (RIP) in the 9th inning with the bases loaded to apparently end the streak. Of course, as we all know now, umpire Harry Wendelstedt ruled Dietz did not try to avoid the pitch. Dietz then popped out and Big D went on to record his 5th straight shutout (and then his 6th and then the record).

[LivnLegend]

Gibson was talking about those brake lights saying it was his favourite aspect of hitting that HR: Seeing all those people who had given up and were leaving jam their breaks as they heared the call on the Radio.
I've heard him talk about that. I have that game on tape and at one point you can see two cars over the left field pavillion breaking but I wonder how Gibson could have seen them. I don't think very many people had left at that point in watching the crowd shots, but who can say for certain. I can't imagine anyone would admit to leaving that game early!

[flash143817]

I've heard him talk about that. I have that game on tape and at one point you can see two cars over the left field pavillion breaking but I wonder how Gibson could have seen them. I don't think very many people had left at that point in watching the crowd shots, but who can say for certain. I can't imagine anyone would admit to leaving that game early!

Have they ever tried to locate the "brake lights" guy from that clip?

[LivnLegend]

Have they ever tried to locate the "brake lights" guy from that clip?

You know one of the odd things about Gibson's home run is that no one ever came up with the ball, at least not publicly.

[flash143817]

You know one of the odd things about Gibson's home run is that no one ever came up with the ball, at least not publicly.

That's too bad for whoever caught it. Probably some guy that didn't know what he was sitting on. That thing is probably worth a ton.

[The Commissioner]

That thing is probably worth a ton.

Unfortunately it's probably worthless. There is probaly no way of tracing it's provenance.

[The Commissioner]

Scully's call was, and still is, the best piece of baseball writing I've ever seen.

It's like a short story. with tension, rising and falling drama, great turns of phrase. AND IT CAME OFF THE TOP OF HIS HEAD,, at a moment when, like the man whose feat he was describing, he knew he had to be at the top of his game.

There's not a single misstep. Scully never once fumbles for a word, makes a false start or trips over himself. And unlike today's announcers, he knows exactly when not to speak. His 38 seconds of silence after the last strike to Kuenn -- his restraint in letting the crowd noise punctuate the event -- is broadcasting brilliance.

It's a masterpiece.

Very well put. I couldn't agree more. Your description does it justice.

[The Commissioner]

If you'd like to read a transcription of the Scully/Koufax call it is located here:

http://www.salon.com/people/feature/1999/10/12/scully_koufax/

[LivnLegend]

If you'd like to read a transcription of the Scully/Koufax call it is located here:

http://www.salon.com/people/feature/1999/10/12/scully_koufax/

Thanks for the link. I just listened to it at work. Although I've heard at least parts of it many times over the years, the ending still sends shivers up my spine.

[Chisox73]

Those are wonderful links there. :clapping

I always love to hear Vin Scully do a game.He is like poetry in motion in the booth.

[gc56]

Thanks for the audio on that. I have been looking for it for years and wanted to hear it again since 1965. He is my all time sports hero amoung any sport. I used to watch him pitch at Dodger Stadium and never forgot how great he was. Going to try a machine that I am getting to see if I can time travel back to that date and place. Let you know how it comes out.

[freepablo]

Have they ever tried to locate the "brake lights" guy from that clip?
I know at least two people.

There's an article at www.thephatphree.com about a Dodger fan coming clean and admitting he left early.

I was also watching Battle Lines on ESPN Classic about the game and Jim Gray said he left the game because he had to drive his friend to the airport. He mentioned he and his friend stared at each other in the parking lot as they heard the stadium erupt.

[Robb Schwartz]

Hi all,

Good fortune smiled on me Sept. 9, 1965 as I was in the bleachers during the perfecto. Never a finer moment for LA fans, Koufax, and the team. Imagine how Harvey Kuenn felt after facing Mr. K as the final hitter for the Giants during the '63 no hitter and then again, as a Cub, in '65.

Koufax was never better....his curve was falling off the table but good 'ol #1 would start out at the knees, then explode in the strike zone, rising a good 6-12 inches...the hitters just couldn't catch up with it. I remember being aware of it by the 3rd inning, and then by the 6th, the possibility of a double no hitter...Bob Hendley, pitching the game of his life. I recently found my little scrapbook I made of the event...and 3 or 4 new articles from the local papers. Even O'Malley admitted he was rooting for a double no-no...imagine that!

Great memories...can you imagine that Sandy is now 70?

How time goes by!

[JARSHADOW]

Finally, finding the recording of Sandy's perfect game. Thank you, thank you. Sandy's pitching statistics for the five-year period from 1962 to 1966 are indeed staggering, but I often wonder what would have happened if: a) what kind of season statistics he would have established if the index finger of his left hand hadn't gone numb in 1962, forcing him to miss two and a half months; b) what kind of career records would he have established if, in addition to his golden arm, he had been given a sound arm like Maddux, Ryan, Clemens, etc. Makes one wonder.

[DannyLA]

I finally got this on the original 7 Inch vinyl from eBay. Great stuff. Also got the Bill Singer (billynono) 7 Inch as well.

[Dodgerfan66]

sandy is my hero :) .