Koufax Hurt Again

Apr. 2, 1965 - The Dodgers got the bad news today.

Ace pitcher Sandy Koufax has been stricken with “a traumatic arthritic condition of the left elbow which tends to flare up under repeated stress.”

The condition “will be an off-and-on occurrence all year long,” Dr. Robert Kerlan, Dodger team physician, said today, adding that “it is very doubtful whether Koufax can pitch on opening day Apr. 12.”

The news came as a severe blow to the Dodgers, whose pitching, rated the best in the National League, had appeared superb until Koufax’s elbow became stiff and swollen yesterday at Vero Beach, Fla.

Koufax flew to Los Angeles immediately and underwent X-rays last night.

The 29-year-old strikeout king, who missed the latter part of the 1964 season after jamming his elbow sliding into second base in St. Louis, was unable to straighten his left arm when he arrived in Los Angeles.

Dr. Kerlan, after examining Koufax’s arm, said: “He will remain here three or four days at least. It’s too early to tell when he will be able to pitch. I am going to be neither over-optimistic nor over-pessimistic at this time.”

Dodger manager Walter Alston was inclined to feel Koufax’s excellent performance this spring indicated a quick return.

“I’ve got to be optimistic on it,” the skipper said. “Just going on what I’ve seen in training and the way Sandy has pitched all spring, including his last time out when he fanned 10 men in eight innings, I can’t believe he will be out any great length of time.”

General manager Buzzie Bavasi, though hopeful for a rapid recovery, immediately set in motion an alternate pitching plan.

“I am resetting the club right now with the idea Sandy won’t be with us,” Bavasi said. “Of course, we will leave an opening for him in the hope that everything will turn out okay. We’re fortunate to have Claude Osteen right now, but I’d rather see Sandy back here than take any bows for the trade.” 

After last season, the Dodgers traded Frank Howard, Ken McMullen, and Phil Ortega to Washington for Osteen and infielder John Kennedy.

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