Baseball icon Sandy Koufax has been selected to receive Baseball Digest’s annual Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the sixth recipient of the prestigious honor.
The Hall of Fame left-hander received the recognition Thursday, an award designed to celebrate “a living individual whose career has been spent in or around Major League Baseball and who has demonstrated outstanding character and has made significant contributions to the game.”
Previous recipients of this distinction include Willie Mays, who received the first award in 2021, broadcaster Vin Scully in 2022, manager Joe Torre in 2023, skipper Dusty Baker in 2024, and announcer Bob Costas in 2025.
“It’s a great honor to be recognized along with the previous award winners,” the 90-year-old Koufax said in a news release. “I thank the distinguished panel.”
The legendary pitcher began his professional career with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955, the same year the franchise captured its first World Series title. Following the team’s relocation to Los Angeles, Koufax established himself as one of the sport’s most formidable hurlers throughout the 1960s.
During his stellar career, the southpaw captured three Cy Young Awards, earned an MVP honor, and claimed five straight National League ERA championships. His achievements include three seasons with 25 or more victories, leading the major leagues in wins each time, plus seven All-Star selections between 1961 and 1966.
Koufax’s pitching mastery included four no-hit performances, one of which was a perfect game. He earned World Series MVP honors on two occasions, guiding the Dodgers to championships in 1963 and 1965, and was also part of their 1959 title team.
Arthritis in his throwing elbow forced Koufax into early retirement following the 1966 campaign at just 30 years old. His exceptional career earned him entry into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972, making him the youngest inductee at that time. The Dodgers honored him by retiring his No. 32 jersey later that year, and he was selected for MLB’s All-Century Team in 1999.
“The name Sandy Koufax has become a synonym for ‘great pitcher,’” Baseball Digest publisher David Fagley said. “It’s hard to believe it has been 60 years since he last pitched so brilliantly for the Dodgers but, since his retirement, Sandy has been a remarkable representative of our national game, a symbol of class and dignity.”
A panel of 21 veteran baseball participants and observers, including journalists, broadcasters, former athletes, and executives, voted to select Koufax for this year’s award.
