Column: Sandy Koufax statue unveiling ceremony a time of gratitude and inclusion

[elleng]

He rolled up the sheets of paper that sat in front of him, tight, tight, tighter still.

Standing behind his newly unveiled statue in the center-field plaza Saturday morning, Sandy Koufax was winding up to grace Dodger Stadium with one last pitch.

It was, appropriately, a breathtaking curveball.

It was, stunningly, a 10-minute speech from a man who hasn’t publicly spoken that much in 50 years.

It was, wondrously, the humanizing of Los Angeles’ phantom legend, a rare public pulse from a pitcher whose greatness has mostly existed in Dodgers mythology.

It turns out, at age 86, he just wanted to say thank you.

“Conventional wisdom has always said don’t give an old man a microphone, he’s got too many years to talk about,” said Koufax, looking forever young with fashionable sunglasses and a full head of white hair. “Well, I tried not to, but I’m going to start way back at the beginning … ”

And he was off, spending the entirety of his speech tracing his career >>>

https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2022-06-18/sandy-koufax-statue-unveiling-time-of-gratitude-inclusion

[madaboutharry]

1. He looks great.

It is a blessing to have it together like that at 86.

[ProfessorGAC]

3. Thought The Same

And, the sculpture is very cool.

[Ziggysmom]

2. What a great pic, two of my all time fav pitchers. If he had not been forced to retire due

to arthritis, who know what pitching records he would have made.

[Brother Buzz]

4. Does anyone know if Vin Scully attended?

I know they would NOT let Vin Scully talk because he would talk for, like, three hours describing Sandy Koufax's perfect game he announced on the radio on September 9, 1965, but seeing Vin Scully meeting up with Sandy Koufax would be worth the price of admission.