• Sandy Koufax

  • A Lefty's Legacy
  • By: Jane Leavy
  • Narrated by: Charley Steiner
  • Length: 9 hrs and 53 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (206 ratings)

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Sandy Koufax  By  cover art

Sandy Koufax

By: Jane Leavy
Narrated by: Charley Steiner
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Publisher's summary

No immortal in the history of baseball retired so young, so well, or so completely as Sandy Koufax. After compiling a remarkable record from 1962 to 1966 that saw him lead the National League in ERA all five years, win three Cy Young awards, and pitch four no-hitters including a perfect game, Koufax essentially disappeared. Save for his induction into the Hall of Fame and occasional appearances at the Dodgers training camp, Koufax has remained unavailable, unassailable, and unsullied, in the process becoming much more than just the best pitcher of his generation.

He is the Jewish boy from Brooklyn, who refused to pitch the opening game of the 1965 World Series on Yom Kippur, defining himself as a man who placed faith over fame. This act made him the standard to which Jewish parents still hold their children. Except for his autobiography (published in 1966), Koufax has resolutely avoided talking about himself. But through sheer doggedness that even Koufax came to marvel at, Jane Leavy was able to gain his trust to the point where they talked regularly over the three years Leavy reported her book. With Koufax's blessing, Leavy interviewed nearly every one of his former teammates, opponents, and friends, and emerged with a portrait of the artist that is as thorough and stylish as was his command on the pitching mound.

©2002 Jane Leavy (P)2003 HarperCollins

Featured Article: The Best Baseball Audiobooks of All Time


Ask any baseball fan and they'll tell you: some of their favorite sounds can only be heard at the ballpark—the smooth, satisfying pop of a catcher’s glove as a pitch hits its mark; the crack of a bat as it tears into a fastball, explosive and hopeful, drawing the crowd to their feet. Our list, a roundup of outstanding baseball audiobooks, offers a glimmer of that same ballpark magic with just a few of the greatest stories from our national pastime.

What listeners say about Sandy Koufax

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Baseball Favorite

Great story about a great man...Exceptionally written, Koufax's life story being told while woven between the innings of the perfect game he threw...It is refreshing being able to read about a boyhood hero that wasn't a fall down drunk or an egotistical psycho...Can't wait for your next book...

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Read this book

If you’re reading this, you’re already interested in the story of Sandy Koufax. Don’t overthink it. Download the book and enjoy.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The Greatest Lefty I've Ever seen

What did you like about this audiobook?

This audiobook kept my interest from beginning to end. I think the audiobook is equal to the print version. I have also read the print version & loved it.

How has the book increased your interest in the subject matter?

It gave me the chance to re-live my youth and remember watching the best pitcher in baseball during the '60's.The Boys of Summer is another of the audiobooks I enjoyed that compares to Sandy Koufax because like Koufax, I kept my attention until the end. The Greatest Game Ever Pitched is the book I'm reading now (& I wish it was available in audiobook) because I was among the fans that witnessed the game at the "Stick" that night.

Does the author present information in a way that is interesting and insightful, and if so, how does he achieve this?

Yes she does. although I've never met Jane Leavy, I believe this book brings a very personal warmth & humor in the way it's written. I like that.

What did you find wrong about the narrator's performance?

Absolutely nothing!

Do you have any additional comments?

Is "Sandy Koufax, A Lefty's Legacy" available in enhanced form? If not, why not?

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Wow

What did you love best about Sandy Koufax?

The book is easy to listen to and parallels a lot of idolizing of Mr. Koufax. The writing is wonderful. Having Charlie Steiner narrate the book is pure genius. Charlie is great talking about sports. Getting to listen to him for an extended period is great. I know, overuse of the word

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

anti-jew or ultimate jew

what is the bigoted cartoon image of a jew ?
loud, abrasive, short, fat, ugly, physically inept
greedy, dishonest, egotistical, mean-spirited

what if you are a jew and are none of those ?
would you make american jews look at themselves differently ?
would you become a yardstick of achievement/assimilation ?

he's a hard man to write about as he relentlessly avoids the spotlight
what we get is the image of his admirers in the mirror of his career
but the list of his admirers is as impressive as it is long

the modern athletic soap opera seems pale in comparison
his character was greater than his ability and his ability was immense
i only hope jane leavy decides to call rachel robinson some day about a book

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Awesome!

Hard to beat a book about Sandy Koufax. Well read. Felt like listening to a great announcer.

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Sandy Koufax the Goat

Go Dodgers book was great and I felt like I was in Dodgers stadium as Charlie read!

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A Must Read for Any Fan

My first note for this excellent book was the performance by Charlie Steiner. He carries the subtle sports style in his narration that far outweighs his predecessor.
The book itself is a fantastic look into a classy man who just wanted to be a baseball player. I enjoyed it thoroughly and I know you will too.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

This is a time machine to a pivotal point in American History

If you could see into the minds of boys one of the most common things you would find is the sport of baseball.
You would also hear the play by play voices of Vin Scully, Mel Allen, Phil Rizzuto and so many others who have escorted us onto the diamond alongside our hero’s.
Get ready for another ride into the great past, where our youth still stands in awe of our baseball idols. Sandy Koufax is a must read, fasten your seat belt!

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One in a million

I wish I knew this when I was a boy, what a great story, Great guy!

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