Friday, April 24, 2020

2020 Topps 'Turn Back the Clock' -- Sandy Koufax's 18 Strike Outs


The third 'Turn Back the Clock' Dodger card and second card featuring Sandy Koufax in the set is now available to order directly from Topps. Go here to check it out. Go here see an entire checklist of the set.

As you may know, Sandy Koufax whiffed 18 Cub batters on this day in 1962 to win 10-2 (boxscore). Per Gregory H. Wolf at SABR.com -- who penned a fantastic article about this game:
“Strikeouts are nice to have, particularly in a jam, and they are going to come to a pitcher who throws hard,” noted Koufax, “but I wouldn’t trade a 20-game season for all the strikeout records in the books.”
...
“Sandy’s curve was marvelous in the early innings,” said All-Star batterymate Roseboro. “But as the shadows came along, we started going more with the fastball.”
...
“I was trying to make them hit it,” he said. “I just wanted to get the game over.” Frank Finch of the Times reported that Koufax threw 144 pitches, including 96 for strikes. Koufax seemed unconcerned by that number, claiming that the total was “not high” for a fastball pitcher, while he soaked his bulging, swollen elbow in ice after the game.
Below is what's written on the reverse of the card:
With the Dodgers facing the Cubs at Wrigley Field. 26-year-old phenom Sandy Koufax toes the rubber looking to lead his team to victory. And the left-hander delivered. Koufax fired a complete game and tied Bob Feller's MLB record 18 strikeouts. When asked if he knew how many batter he struck out, Koufax replied, "I lost track."
Below is a current 'Turn Back the Clock' checklist of Dodger cards with corresponding print runs:
  • #15 - Sandy Koufax - Opening Day CG Shutout (link here) 365 print run
  • #16 - Jackie Robinson - Breaks Color Barrier (link here) 852 print run

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