This Day In Dodgers History: Drysdale And Koufax Throw Historic Games
On June 4, 1964, Sandy Koufax pitched the third no-hitter of his career. Four years later, Don Drysdale threw his sixth consecutive shutout. With both of these stellar performances on the mound, the Hall of Fame pitchers added to their illustrious careers.
Koufax entered Connie Mack Stadium against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 5-4 record and a goal of improving on his down year. The Brooklyn native started the game off strong by striking out two of the first three hitters and kept the pace throughout the game. Koufax would end the game with 12 strikeouts as he became only the second pitcher to throw three no-hitters. Koufax would then break his own record a year later.
Four years after Koufax’s historic day, Drysdale would set two major league records with six consecutive shutouts and 58 scoreless innings; Orel Hershiser would later break Drysdale’s scoreless inning streak. Although Drysdale would go on to retire the following year, this milestone would add to “Big D’s” distinguished career.
Drysdale and Koufax were part of the Dodgers starting rotation from 1961 to 1966. Throughout the six seasons together, the dynamic duo won 240 games, won four Cy Young Awards, and collected two World Series titles.
[divide]Jimmy Rollins On Dodgers History
