This Day In Dodgers History: Sandy Koufax Becomes First 3-Time Cy Young Award Winner

On November 1, 1966, Los Angeles Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax became the first three-time Cy Young Award winner in MLB history. Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Steve Carlton broke Koufax’s record when he won a fourth career Cy Young in 1982.

That was then surpassed by Randy Johnson (five) and Roger Clemens (seven). Among Dodgers pitchers, only Clayton Kershaw matches Koufax’s total of Cy Young Awards. At 26 years old, Kershaw became the youngest three-time winner in 2014, when he was the unanimous selection.

Koufax was the unanimous selection in 1966, which was the final year the Cy Young was presented to just one pitcher. He was presented the award by former teammate Don Drysdale at the BBWAA awards banquet in February 1967.

Koufax previously won the Cy Young in 1963 and 1965, which were also unanimous decisions. During the 1966 season — Koufax’s last of his illustrious career — the left-hander went 27-9 with a career-best 1.73 ERA, 27 complete games, five shutouts and 317 strikeouts.

It was the second consecutive season in which Koufax threw 27 complete games, and a sixth straight year he reached double digits in that benchmark.

It was also the third time Koufax won the Triple Crown — leading the Majors in wins, ERA and strikeouts.

Over 12 combined seasons spent with Brooklyn and Los Angeles, Koufax finished his career 165-87 with a 2.76 ERA.

Along with the three Cy Young Awards, Koufax was a seven-time All-Star, five-time ERA leader, named the 1963 National League MVP, threw one perfect game and four no-hitters. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

In June 2022, the Dodgers immortalized Koufax with a statute in the center field plaza at Dodger Stadium.

Koufax launches website

The famed Dodgers’ left-hander launched an official website in May 2021, where he sells signed and unsigned memorabilia that are officially licensed by Koufax.