Dec. 15, 1964 - Although Sandy Koufax was sidelined for the final six weeks of last season because of a sore arm, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ southpaw led National League pitchers in earned‐run average, winning percentage, and shutouts, official league statistics showed today.
Koufax posted a 1.74 ERA in pacing the circuit for the third consecutive season. He captured the ERA crown in 1962 with 2.54 and in 1963 with 1.88.
The Dodger star’s 1964 average was the lowest in the National League since Carl Hubbell of the New York Giants finished with a 1.66 mark in 1933.
Koufax’s winning percentage was .792 on a record of 19 victories and five defeats. He pitched seven shutouts, the last on Aug. 16 in his final appearance of the year.
Don Drysdale, the Dodgers’ ace right‐hander, was the ERA runner‐up with 2.19. He was followed by Chris Short of the Philadelphia Phillies with 2.20, Juan Marichal of San Francisco with 2.48, Jim Bunning of Philadelphia with 2.63, and Jim O’Toole of Cincinnati with 2.66.
Earned‐run averages are computed by multiplying the number of earned runs by nine and dividing the total by the innings pitched.
Larry Jackson of the Chicago Cubs had the most victories, 24, and Marichal, the circuit’s only other 20‐game winner, pitched the most complete games, 22. Jackson’s won‐lost record was 24‐11 while Marichal’s was 21‐8.
Bob Veale, Pittsburgh lefthander, was the strikeout leader with 250. He also allowed the most bases on balls, 124.
The Dodger reliever, Bob Miller, appeared in 74 games, tying a league record set by Jim Konstanty of Philadelphia in 1950. Ron Perranoski, also a Dodger relief pitcher, finished the most games, 52.
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