On Nov. 3, 1965, Los Angeles Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax won a second Cy Young Award, two years after earning the first of his storied career.
Only one pitcher in MLB won the Cy Young during that time, unlike today where one from each league is recognized with the honor. But despite there only being one winner, Koufax was the unanimous selection of the 1965 Cy Young Award, receiving 20 of the 20 votes.
The 29-year-old southpaw threw a league-leading 335.2 innings in 43 games (41 starts) and went 26-8 while pitching to a 2.04 ERA, 1.93 FIP, 0.855 WHIP and striking out 382 hitters.
Of his 41 starts, 27 of them were complete games, which led the league, and eight of those were shutouts.
The southpaw also posted a career-best 10 wins above replacement and 29.5% strikeout rate while walking just 5.5% of hitters.
Along with the Cy Young Award, Koufax also won his second Triple Crown after leading the National League in wins, ERA and strikeouts.
Koufax set the record for most strikeouts by a left-handed pitcher in a single season since 1893. He also set the record for fewest baserunners per nine innings by a left-hander in a season with 7.83 allowed. Both records still stand.
Koufax capped off his phenomenal season by throwing a perfect game on Sept. 9 against the Chicago Cubs and winning the World Series MVP award against the Minnesota Twins.
He received six votes for the NL MVP, which placed him second to San Francisco Giants outfielder Willie Mays, who won the honor with nine votes.
In the 1965 World Series, Koufax started three games and went 2-1. He allowed just one earned run and another unearned run in 24 innings of work (0.38 ERA) while striking out 29 and walking five.
It was the second time Koufax won a World Series MVP, with the first time coming in 1963.
Koufax made history in 1966
The following season, Koufax became the first pitcher to win the Cy Young Award three times.
He also won his second consecutive Triple Crown award before retiring after the season at just 30-years-old.
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.
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