How Fast Was Koufax?: The Legend Of Sandy’S Heater

Sandy Koufax was known for his 97 mph fastball. Many people, including physicists, were skeptical about its speed, but batters faced him, and they all agreed: the ball would jump up right before it crossed home plate. Koufax also threw a curveball that would drop 10 to 12 inches.

Koufax’s fastball was so fast that it was difficult for hitters to track. It appeared to jump up right before crossing the plate, giving hitters very little time to react. The illusion of the ball “jumping” was probably due to Koufax’s unique throwing motion. He had a very quick arm action, and he released the ball high, which would cause it to drop sharply. This motion, combined with the speed of the pitch, made it appear that the ball was actually jumping up.

It’s hard to fully understand Koufax’s fastball without recognizing the context of his time. Pitching in the 1960s meant facing hitters who were accustomed to slower pitches. Today, 97 mph is considered a high-end fastball, but in the 1960s, it was simply unheard of. Koufax’s fastball, in addition to its speed, had other unique characteristics. It was a heavy, sinking fastball, which made it even more difficult for batters to hit. Combine that with his devastating curveball, and you have a pitcher that was nearly unbeatable.

Koufax’s speed, combined with his deception and movement, made him one of the most dominant pitchers of all time. His fastball was a weapon, and it helped him to win three Cy Young Awards and lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to four World Series titles.