On October 2, 1963, Sandy Koufax Sets World Series Strikeout Record by striking out 15 batters in Game One against the New York Yankees. The Dodgers win the game, 5-2, behind Koufax’ six-hit pitching. Koufax topped the recod set by Brooklyn Dodger Carl Erskine 10 years ago on this day vs the Yankees. Read more about that game HERE
RECAP –
Sandy Koufax started it off with a record 15-strikeout performance in Game 1 to outduel the Yankees’ ace left-hander Whitey Ford. The 15 strikeouts bested fellow Dodgers pitcher Carl Erskine’s mark in 1953 by one, and would be surpassed by Bob Gibson in 1968. Koufax also tied a World Series record when he fanned the first five Yankees he faced.
Clete Boyer was the only Yankees regular not to strike out. Mickey Mantle, Tom Tresh and Tony Kubek each struck out twice, and Bobby Richardson struck out three times—his only three-strikeout game in 1448 regular season or World Series games. Koufax also struck out three pinch-hitters, including Harry Bright to end the game.
Ford set the Dodgers down in order in the first inning, but got into trouble in the second inning. With one out, right fielder Frank Howard doubled into left center field. A single by first baseman Bill Skowron plated Howard to give the Dodgers a 1–0 lead. Second baseman Dick Tracewski’s single preceded a three-run home run by catcher John Roseboro to give the Dodgers a 4–0 lead.
The Dodgers upped the lead to 5-0 when Skowron singled home Willie Davis with two outs in the third inning against Ford, who went just five innings.
The Yankees scored twice in the eighth inning when Tony Kubek singled with one out and Tom Tresh homered with two outs to cut the lead to 5–2.
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Los Angeles Dodgers 5, New York Yankees 2
World Series Game 1 Played on Wednesday, October 2, 1963 (D) at Yankee Stadium I
LA N 0 4 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 5 9 0 NY A 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 - 2 6 0
WP: Koufax (1-0) LP: Ford (0-1) HR: Roseboro (1), Tresh (1)
Play by Play
DODGERS 1ST: Wills was called out on strikes; Gilliam grounded out (shortstop to first); W. Davis struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 0, Yankees 0. YANKEES 1ST: Kubek struck out; Richardson struck out; Tresh was called out on strikes; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 0, Yankees 0. DODGERS 2ND: T. Davis grounded out (shortstop to first); Howard doubled to center; Skowron singled to center [Howard scored]; Tracewski singled to center [Skowron to second]; Roseboro homered [Skowron scored, Tracewski scored]; Koufax flied out to right; Wills was called out on strikes; 4 R, 4 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 4, Yankees 0. YANKEES 2ND: Mantle was called out on strikes; Maris struck out; Howard popped to catcher in foul territory; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 4, Yankees 0. DODGERS 3RD: Gilliam singled to center; W. Davis forced Gilliam (second to shortstop); T. Davis singled to right [W. Davis to third]; Howard popped to catcher in foul territory; Skowron singled to center [W. Davis scored, T. Davis to third]; Tracewski forced Skowron (third to second); 1 R, 3 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. YANKEES 3RD: Pepitone struck out; Boyer grounded out (pitcher to second to first); Ford popped to third in foul territory; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. DODGERS 4TH: Roseboro struck out; Koufax grounded out (third to first); Wills lined to pitcher; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. YANKEES 4TH: Kubek struck out; Richardson struck out; Tresh was called out on strikes; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. DODGERS 5TH: Gilliam walked; W. Davis out on a sacrifice bunt (pitcher to second) [Gilliam to second]; T. Davis singled to second [Gilliam to third]; Howard grounded out (pitcher to first) [T. Davis to second]; Skowron was walked intentionally; Tracewski forced T. Davis (third unassisted); 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 3 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. YANKEES 5TH: Mantle struck out; Maris popped to catcher in foul territory; Howard singled to right; Pepitone singled to right [Howard to second]; Boyer singled to second [Howard to third, Pepitone to second]; LOPEZ BATTED FOR FORD; Lopez struck out; 0 R, 3 H, 0 E, 3 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. DODGERS 6TH: WILLIAMS REPLACED LOPEZ (PITCHING); Roseboro grounded out (second to first); Koufax flied out to center; Wills grounded out (shortstop to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. YANKEES 6TH: Kubek grounded out (third to first); Richardson walked; Tresh walked [Richardson to second]; Mantle popped to second; Maris popped to shortstop; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 2 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. DODGERS 7TH: Gilliam struck out; W. Davis struck out; T. Davis singled to right; T. Davis stole second; Howard struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. YANKEES 7TH: FAIRLY REPLACED HOWARD (PLAYING RF); Howard struck out; Pepitone popped to catcher in foul territory; Boyer popped to shortstop; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. DODGERS 8TH: Skowron struck out; Tracewski grounded out (shortstop to first); Roseboro struck out; 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 0. YANKEES 8TH: LINZ BATTED FOR WILLIAMS; Linz struck out; Kubek singled to shortstop; Richardson struck out; Tresh homered [Kubek scored]; Mantle walked; Maris grounded out (second to first); 2 R, 2 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 2. DODGERS 9TH: HAMILTON REPLACED LINZ (PITCHING); Koufax struck out; Wills flied out to right; Gilliam grounded out (shortstop to first); 0 R, 0 H, 0 E, 0 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 2. YANKEES 9TH: Howard lined to second; Pepitone singled to right; Boyer flied out to center; BRIGHT BATTED FOR HAMILTON; Bright struck out; 0 R, 1 H, 0 E, 1 LOB. Dodgers 5, Yankees 2. Final Totals R H E LOB Dodgers 5 9 0 6 Yankees 2 6 0 7
