"THE BIGGEST HONOR I'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN"

KOUFAX BECOMES YOUNGEST PLAYER ELECTED TO BASEBALL HALL OF FAME

Cooperstown, New York (JFK+50) On January 19, 1972, former pitching great for the Los Angeles Dodgers Sandy Koufax* became the youngest player elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Koufax, 36 years old, said...

"This is the biggest honor I've ever been given."

He had a rough going his first few years with the Dodgers first in Brooklyn and then in Los Angeles. He was "inconsistent" and known for "wild pitches."  Dodgers star Duke Snyder said he couldn't keep his warm-up pitches inside the batter's cage.  

In 1961, however, he became a National League All-Star for the LA Dodgers with 269 strikeouts in that season.

Hall of Famer Richie Ashburn said, 

"Either he throws the fastest ball I've ever seen, or I'm going blind." 

 The often quoted Yankee star Yogi Berra said in 1963, 

"I can see how he won 25 games.  I don't understand how he lost 5."

JFK+50 NOTE

While Sandy Koufax was certainly a great pitcher, he was not always perfect.  Hank Aaron had 42 career hits off Koufax, the most of any one player who faced him.  

Mickey Mantle hit a home run in Game 4 of the 1963 World Series off Koufax, but without doubt the most embarrassing imperfection was when baseball catcher/comedian Bob Uecker hit a home run off Sandy.  Uecker would say later he thought that might keep Koufax from getting into the Hall of Fame.

SOURCES

"Sandy Koufax, Class of 1972," National Baseball Hall of Fame, www.baseballhall.org/

"Sandy Koufax," On This Day, www.onthisday.com/

Sandy Koufax at The White House

2010

US Federal Government Website

JFK SPEAKS AT INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT

JFK SPOKE AT INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT 52 YEARS AGO 

Mexico City, Mexico (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy spoke and took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Independence Monument here in Mexico City 52 years ago today, June 30, 1962.

President Kennedy told the audience that it is appropriate to celebrate the 4th of July in Mexico because...

"the people who wrote the Declaration of Independence....recognized...they were not merely advancing a theory of government for the people of the United States, but for the people around the world."

Independence Monument

Mexico City

Photo by Sarumo74

SANDY KOUFAX PITCHES FIRST NO HITTER

Los Angeles, California (JFK+50) Twenty-six year old Sandy Koufax struck out 13 hitters 52 years ago today, June 30, 1962. on his way to the first no-hitter of his career.

In the game played at Dodger Stadium here in Los Angeles, Koufax blanked the New York Mets 5-0.

Pitching from 1955 through 1961, Koufax showed signs of greatness but was very inconsistent.  His record through that period was 36 wins and 51 losses.

In 1962, however, taking a veteran catcher's advice to "take the grunt out of the fastball", Koufax turned things around.

Koufax would win three Cy Young Awards and be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.

Opposing hitters had an advantage because they knew what type of pitch Koufax was going to throw, but it did them little good. 

Giants star Willie Mays said...

 "I knew every pitch he was going to throw and I still couldn't hit him."

Sandy Koufax

TRUMAN ORDERS US FORCES TO KOREA

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President Harry S Truman ordered American forces to Korea 64 years ago today, June 30, 1950.

The order came just three days after the United Nations Security Council voted to support South Korea after the invasion by the North Korean Army on June 25.

Over the next 3 years, the US will provide half the UN ground forces in Korea as well as a majority of the air and naval power.

Korean War Monument

Nashville, Tennessee

Photo by John White (2011)

FDR APPOINTS JOE KENNEDY, SR. TO SEC

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Eighty years ago today, June 30, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. to serve on the newly created Securities and Exchange Commission.

The SEC was to be a bi-partisan agency designed to protect the public from investing in unsafe securities and to regulate the stock market.

Mr. Kennedy would serve a 5 year term.

On July 2, 1934, Joe Kennedy was elected the first chairman of the SEC.

SANDY KOUFAX PITCHES 1ST NO HITTER

June 30, 1962


SANDY KOUFAX PITCHES 1ST NO HITTER


Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers struck out 13 hitters today on his way to the 1st no-hitter of his career.


The Dodgers blanked the New York Mets 5-0.


Pitching from 1955 through 1961, Koufax showed signs of greatness but was very inconsistent.  His record through that period was 36 wins & 51 losses.


This year, however, taking a veteran catcher's advice to "take the grunt out of the fastball", Koufax has turned things around.*


*Koufax would win 3 Cy Young Awards & be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972.


It seems Koufax delivery had its flaws because opposing hitters knew what he was going to throw.  


Giants star Willie Mays said: "I knew every pitch he was going to throw & still couldn't hit him."

                      Sandy Koufax*


*On the night he was killed, RFK paid tribute to Sandy Koufax in his speech after his victory in the California Primary.


June 30, 1962


JFK SPEAKS AT INDEPENDENCE MONUMENT IN MEXICO CITY


President John F. Kennedy took part in a wreath laying ceremony at the Independence Monument in Mexico City today.


JFK told the audience that it is appropriate to celebrate the 4th of July in Mexico because...


"the people who wrote the Declaration of Independence....recognized...they were not merely advancing a theory of government for the people of the United States, but for the people around the world."

            Independence Monument
                         Mexico City
                 Photo by Sarumo74


June 30, 1961


JFK SIGNS HOUSING ACT


President John F. Kennedy signed into law today the Housing Act of 1961.
JFK said that this bill....


"provides an opportunity for a giant step toward better cities & improved housing. (It) offers the opportunity & the challenge to build the cities of tomorrow where families can live in dignity."


The act provides for a 35 low-interest mortgage loan program for moderate income American families.


June 30, 1953


1ST CORVETTE ROLLS OFF ASSEMBLY LINE


The 1st Corvette rolled off General Motor's assembly line in Flint, Michigan today.


The 'Vette is produced with the 1st all fiberglass body in an American sports car.


All the Corvettes made in 1953 are to be white convertibles with red interiors & black tops.*


*By 1961, the Corvette is America's favorite sports car.

                1954 Chevy Corvette


June 30, 1950


TRUMAN ORDERS US FORCES TO KOREA


President Harry S. Truman ordered American forces to Korea today.


The order comes just 3 days after the United Nations Security Council voted to support South Korea after the invasion by the North Korean Army on June 25.*


*Over the next 3 years, the US will provide half the UN ground forces in Korea as well as a majority of the air & naval power.

              Korean War Monument
               Nashville, Tennessee
        Photo by John White (2011)


June 30, 1934


FDR APPOINTS JOE KENNEDY, SR. TO SEC


President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. to serve on the newly created Securities & Exchange Commission today.


The SEC is to be a bi-partisan agency designed to protect the public from investing in unsafe securities & to regulate the stock market.


Mr. Kennedy is to serve a 5 year term.*


*On July 2, 1934, Joe Kennedy is elected 1st chairman of the SEC.