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My Koufax Adventure/Project
Back in November (2019) started working on picking up a Topps issued Koufax PC based on his playing years. A little background Koufax was my Dad's favorite player and a big reason was because he was a lefty pitcher. Myself, I have always been wow'd by his last 5-6 years performance and of course his performance in the big games specifically his post season stats.
So, for now I'm focused on completing his Topps issued cards which I believe he has 30 from 55-67 including the 56 gray and white backs. I put these together in the PSA Digital Album as a Showcase which I prefer to the registry digital albums. Still looking for the below but thought I would share the progress in digital album form. ****UPDATED****LOOKING for the below**** 1964 Pitching Leaders PSA 7 1966 Pitching Leaders PSA 7 https://i.ibb.co/jG7BfYg/A9-DD92-CA-...7626-B8963.jpg https://i.ibb.co/5GWPdfB/FA466398-97...A0299-B323.jpg https://i.ibb.co/4NPdcZv/043-C6-D33-...696149-B28.jpg https://i.ibb.co/sg87ghF/682-EA98-A-...298-FC2688.jpg |
Nice growing collection. Dittos concerning your dad, I was lucky he was a big Dodger fan, thus I have found memories of seeing Koufax pitch a number of times including a game in August 1965 when he went 10 or 11 innings for a 1-0 SO. Only wish I’d been there for his perfect game!
Good luck with building that set! Aaron Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Thanks and very cool story!!! I would love to be there during any of his games just to take in the ambiance and know what it's like back in the 50/60's.
Very cool and thanks for posting. Chad Quote:
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Good stuff brother~!
Always interested to see what you are picking up, I'm on the road currently so I can't see the detail (grades) on some of those images, since I'm on my phone. Crazy thing is, they all have good eye appeal, from what I can see. Which is a great thing.... the centering on everything seems pretty well done from the little bit I can gather. Consider adding in a Topps "Stand-Up", I really like that issue on a number of players. I'd definitely be thinking about adding in an auto card from back then too. You will NOT regret it down the road. I'll be watching intently in the coming days. :) |
I did the Koufax basic set in PSA 7. I had about half the cards and when I sent them to PSA, most came back as 7s. I got 1 8 so that is in the run. I never thought about doing the league leaders and combo cards. I do have some of those. I may try sending those to PSA and filling it out like you are doing. Koufax is the greatest left handed pitcher and live ball pitcher of all time. Watched him throw a 1 hitter to beat Spahn. The one hit barely cleared the fence for a HR. Koufax was less than 5 feet from pitching another no hitter. No modern era pitcher has ever been as dominant.
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Thanks guys
DJ - Yeah I've been toying around with a few other Koufax cards and the Pop Up is definitely one I will be getting at some point. Its a slow but fun process picking cards I like with my kind of eye appeal. Usually with projects if I go to fast, spend too much I get frustrated and ultimately lose interest. So, trying to take it slow and pick up a few cards each month. Rats - Thanks for the story and background. Would love to see all those 7's that's a really awesome collection. I am finding I am really enjoying those leader cards and really adds that extra touch to the digital showcase and maybe that is something you would be interested in showing. |
Added a couple pieces to the PC, nothing crazy but a couple nice examples. The 1966 Venezuela has a few pinholes and graded a PSA 1 but for the price couldn't go wrong.
https://i.ibb.co/tXxZ5zW/F9905-C86-3...071-EAA583.jpg https://i.ibb.co/c17jbTK/1-D54-AE0-C...14-B713-B8.jpg |
[QUOTE=gustomania;2003907]Thanks and very cool story!!! I would love to be there during any of his games just to take in the ambiance and know what it's like back in the 50/60's.
Very cool and thanks for posting. Perchance you never treated yourself to this, a fine anecdote and piece on Sandy Koufax that eloquently conveys the ambiance of his last 6 years pitching at home may be found in Ken Burns's documentary on the history of baseball. The piece begins with the anecdote by famed Dodger broadcaster, the late Vin Skully. I will always remember his first two words, "Oh genius." If you don't own it, gustomania, there is a good chance your local public library has it available to check out. That is how I saw it. You can probably Google the index and discover which volume has what Ken gives us about Sandy. It IS very moving. Congratulations on your collecting quest; I'm sure it will be very fulfilling to you. I just thought of another something to complement your Koufax collection. Rare Sportsfilms out of Naperville, Illinois markets some terrific DVDs about sports. They offer many of the immediate postwar official World Series films, so that includes 63, 65, and 66. The first two are "must haves". I cannot recall if they have a DVD strictly devoted to Sandy. If that interests you, check Rare Sportsfilms' web site. Doak Ewing's stuff is not penny ante, nor should it be, and they are high quality and reasonably priced! Just trying to be helpful, bro.....:) --- Brian Powell |
Koufax is a fun one but like potato chips it is impossible to stop once you get going. I completed my Koufax Morrell and Bell runs a few years ago. That was a toughie.
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Great info guys, really appreciate it! Might have to dabble in some different items at some point in the near future.
Chad |
My Dad was a Yankees guy and we went to see them a lot but occasionally we'd score Mets tickets from my pharmacist uncle who 'knew people'. So I got to see Koufax pitch at Shea in June of 1966, his last season. He pitched the first game of the doubleheader, got a couple of hits himself, for the most part, made the Mets look silly and won a laugher.
My Dad who loved normally loved doubleheaders started getting ready to head out with me in tow. I remember asking him why we were leaving. He said "We've seen Koufax, why watch anyone else?" or words to that effect. My Koufax career-era Topps card run is complete but in raw form except for a graded '55. I've pulled a couple for my 50s/60s set builds so I think I'll replace those. Your cards are terrific. |
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Chad- Great Post! Like your dad, Sandy was/is my favorite player, but it wasn't always so. Like Commish Bob, I was a Yankees fan (this was before the Braves moved close) and more specifically, a Mantle fan.
All that changed on October 2, 1963 - which was the first game I can remember seeing on TV and certainly the first World Series game I ever saw. Here are a few of my Koufax items connected to that game: Attachment 413461Attachment 413462 Attachment 413463 |
That "Koufax Strikes Out 15" card is iconic. One of the greatest cards ever...
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It’s been a while but added a nice one today!!
https://i.ibb.co/3YSs1Mk/CDC083-C5-B...-A453-F9-E.jpg |
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Round it out a bit more?
perhaps a nice addition and for sure added challenge might be to add the O-Pee-Chee (Canadian) and Venezuelan Koufax cards to the collection?
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You've inspired me to post my almost-complete Yogi Berra vintage collection (especially since I just picked up two of the last ones I need).
Just mainstream base cards. All that's left is the '50, '53, and '54 Bowman. Except this means I'd have to find them all and take pics :eek: |
Once I get past the mainstream cards then I’ll probably add some various cards....I’ve added 1 Venezuelan already but will likely add more
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Glad to hear, would love to see it!!!
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That's a beauty man. You've got a great eye for these cards. Keep it up!
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Thanks, really appreciate the encouragement!!! Its been a fun ride so far....
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Added another 1960, just love this card! I think the 1960 and 1956 are my favorite Koufax cards and just love both sets in general because of the Horizontal layout!
https://i.ibb.co/T0hNd0K/AE61-CE68-9...-ADBC7-ED9.jpg |
Nice Koufax! I just realized that the side picture is the same pose they used on the '61.
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Same here !!!!
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Great card. Also one of my favorite Koufax cards. I picked up a poor condition one when I was kid and it was one of my favorite cards in my collection.
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Thanks for sharing, that right their is what its all about.
I believe once I complete the mainstream PSA set I am going to enjoy picking up a nice VGish set in raw form for fun. Quote:
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It’s been a while, have been wanting one of these for a while for a decent price and condition, just one of my favorite KOUFAX CARDS with only 27 graded higher.
https://i.ibb.co/cyQ58QJ/C9-C89-E6-D...5-C9395-BF.jpg |
Sweet card! Another of my favorite Koufax cards. Great collection so far Chad. Keep posting your pick ups as you go!
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Thanks, really appreciate that!!!
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Been slow going lately but grabbed one I need for the base set run plus leaders, etc.
Down to 8 left so happy about that https://i.ibb.co/yp1bRrw/7-CFAC82-A-...F4-DDB5-E7.jpg |
Couldn’t pass up as the centering is fantastic, already had a real nice PSA 7 but the more the merrier
https://i.ibb.co/ysgbD6m/EE7-DF24-A-...F96-FB15-C.jpg |
Nice collection. Once you finish with the topps, you should consider adding all his Venezuela Topps cards. The ‘59 will set you back.
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Thanks! I’ll probably pick up a few here and there but some are pretty expensive so probably not all.
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Did a bit of cleaning house and sold a few low grade Koufax to upgrade to a 56 Gray 4.5 with awesome centering.
Pretty happy with this one https://i.ibb.co/HD6DJhj/E4-EB0313-2...AA5-D2-B57.jpg |
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Picked this up from a great member today (MattyC)....pretty excited to add this one.
https://i.ibb.co/xhWwJjR/5-A1-FA61-E...-CAA741448.jpg |
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As others noted, love the back story and look forward to seeing you tick off the last few ones you need! |
Been a while, but added a new piece. Only about 450 total graded so a bit harder to find in a 7 or above.
https://i.ibb.co/xXBpDdG/1-EC608-BD-...2-CEC94-AB.jpg |
It’s been way too long but added another Koufax to PC. I’ve only added a few items this year but been busy with other things, hoping to add a few more soon.
https://i.ibb.co/5Rg0YLq/792056-A6-2...2-FD7-FE90.jpg |
I like to trot this one out when I can. Here's Sandy the night he signed with the Dodgers:
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...0450306d_z.jpg |
Thats pretty cool, seems so relaxed like no big deal just signed with the Dodgers so I guess I'll give baseball a shot, lol.
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Updated my PSA showcase in the first post, just love these digital albums for the collection.
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Added a nice OPC to the PC. Only 36 graded with 7 higher but love the look of this one with two HOFers on it
https://i.ibb.co/hDLr0MY/B90-E3438-5...0-A2-C4-EC.jpg |
Have been looking for a nicely centered copy for a long time with the lighthouse case, glad to have this one off the checklist
https://i.ibb.co/Yc7fc0f/84233-F70-8...-E7-AD5-D3.jpg |
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Nice stash ALR
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Been a while to find something I liked but found a real nice 1962 Koufax… I know some don’t like these borders but I really seem to like this set.
https://i.ibb.co/dDHDdT1/E340-B446-A...-A8-FFF479.jpg |
You're doing this the right way. taking the time to add some really nice looking cards. Your patience paid off with the '62 - Sharp!
Just curious, do you have or are you interested in a Koufax autograph? I'm not a huge fan of inked cards, but I wouldn't mind have something signed from him. |
Thanks Vegas, I don’t think so, I’m really not a fan of any inked cards to be honest!
I really enjoy collecting his topps cards from 55-67 counting leader cards and narrows my focus. This collecting style isn’t for everyone but allows me to really focus on real nice examples of approx 30 cards to choose from. It’s also easier on the wallet and I don’t get side tracked with stuff I don’t want and I like duplicates. I’ve learned my lessons in the past and I’m really just a simple collector and buy 1-2 cards per month. I’d like to see where I’m after 5 years of collecting Koufax. Quote:
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Great collection. |
Thanks rugby, slowly chipping away…mostly in upgrade mode and adding some nice “eye appeal” to me cards at this point…really fun to be in that spot!!
I honestly have always disliked the 58s but they are growing on me. |
It’s been a while but added a 62 leaders card I needed and added another 1959 just because …. Lol
https://i.ibb.co/vZM44cQ/8-A324-CDA-...133-B0-FE2.jpg https://i.ibb.co/mXJzrjM/A13-ED2-D2-...ED646-E712.jpg |
Next you gotta get into the postcards; there are some beauts.
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...igned%20PC.jpg https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...%20uniform.jpg Or maybe the food cards: Morrell and Bell. https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...l%20Koufax.jpg or photos https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...0photo%201.jpg And don't forget picture packs and other premiums https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi...g%20Koufax.jpg |
Thanks bud, I'm definitely headed down that path for sure!!
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Don't think it has been mentioned yet, and not a Topps card, but don't forget his '63 Fleer card.
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Thanks, on my list!!
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Added a 1961 Koufax PSA 6.5, which in terms of grade is an upgrade. Not perfectly centered but just caught my eye with the color
https://i.ibb.co/LvCL6F3/CFBAA5-BE-A...11662-E5-D.jpg |
Its been a while since I added a Koufax and am pretty excited about adding this one. I've debated on it for some time now and really happen to make a last year end splurge to add to the growing PC. While its a duplicate and already have a PSA 5, couldnt pass up a nicely centered copy.
https://i.ibb.co/zZrZNPF/A85-FC2-BB-...B6-ABF94-A.jpg |
Been a while and struggled to find this one in a PSA 8 with a decent price.
So decided to grab a mid grade raw copy for a fraction of the price. This brings me back to my youth days of collecting and what I'm noticing is I'm less concerned about centering and more into just enjoying the card itself. So those that follow this thread I'm guessing I'm going to continue picking up a mix of raw and graded and continue to explore having fun. So while this isnt a huge pickup or anything, it was sort of my test run on a cheap raw card and i'm really happy with the result :) https://i.ibb.co/MRbCcRy/D3-A48-C68-...A1-BDEFBB9.jpg |
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Been a while but added one I don’t have, love these PSA 1 Venezuelans
https://i.ibb.co/pxRHsHR/7-AF513-E1-...-EF5-E7-BE.jpg |
Added a few new ones, thanks to Bruce on the 57. Didn’t have this leader card and glad to add this one
https://i.ibb.co/N9ZDmsn/0249-E011-8...A9-A1-A041.jpg https://i.ibb.co/9ZR02F7/60-EF452-B-...-B0-C444-E.jpg |
Nothing but fabulous cards in this thread! I think Sandy Koufax is my favorite pitcher of all-time in the history of baseball. So happy to have 2 full game TV broadcast videos (Kinescope) from the 1965 World Series, including game 7, in order to see him in action, and also 2 partial radio broadcasts of 2 of his no-hitters, including the 1965 perfect game (only the 9th inning, but still, it's Vin Scully...).
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Just a random thought: Sandy Koufax seems to have been spared by Topps as having none of his images duplicated on his different cards.
Even his close up head shot on the '55 and '56 are different. A lot of the other players, such as Clemente, Aaron, Mays, Banks all have the same head shots on the '55 and '56 cards. The only Koufax image on the front of the card that I am aware of that was used twice is the small action picture on the '60 Topps was used as the '61 front. I realize Koufax's career was relatively short, limiting the chance for duplicates, but it still seems like he lucked out. You've got players like Willie Mays, where they used the same close-up head shot 3 years in a row ('54-'56) and the same image (just cropped) between '65 and '68 and again between '66 and '69. |
Agree, he has good diversity within his run, and a good amount of leader cards as well. Good catch, the Mays example probably wouldn’t bug me much if I collected him, but obviously would imagine all would’ve liked some variety!
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Pretty cool, and agree on Mr. Scully….
Wish there was a lot more video on him, would have been something to see him in person….I always wondered if the buzz was different in the stadium back in the 60s when Koufax pitched compared to modern baseball. Quote:
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Thats a great Koufax right there. Wow just wow!!!
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While I'm in the mood to show off my Koufax cards:
A few Bell Brand and Morrell Meats: Attachment 516363 Attachment 516359 Attachment 516360 Attachment 516361 Attachment 516362 a 31x42 Autographed Stretch Canvas of the 1964 Topps #136. I have yet to hang it, but it will complete a Koufax wall when I do...stay tuned: Attachment 516364 |
Awesome group of Koufax cards!!! Love seeing them!!
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Added one I didn’t have so pretty excited, nothing huge or expensive but love these type of purchases
https://i.ibb.co/sFshj2q/79-DCBF9-F-...3-D98887-E.jpg |
Added a few new Koufax (55 is incoming)
https://i.ibb.co/5MF4s5N/2-D887-CF3-...12-C201-F8.jpg https://i.ibb.co/mCSTVXZ/6-B115-A78-...1-DB5-E3-A.jpg |
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Added another 55T Koufax end of August and forgot to post
https://i.ibb.co/mDV3rt8/ADD931-DC-7...6-A9-B8-E4.jpg |
New addition, never realized how few of these are graded
https://i.ibb.co/bXmXGfG/0-D0-C4811-...D2-E7-D928.jpg |
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