Koufax drafted...

[rotnoid]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2850886


Israeli league team drafts Koufax as tributeAssociated Press

Darryl Norenberg/WireImage.com
It's been 41 years since Sandy Koufax retired. But that didn't stop the Miracle from taking him with the last pick in the Israel Baseball League draft.NEW YORK -- Forty-one years after he retired from baseball, Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax was the final player chosen in the draft to stock the six teams for the inaugural season of the Israel Baseball League.

Koufax, 71, was picked by the Modi'in Miracle in the draft conducted by former major league general manager Dan Duquette, who heads baseball operations for the league.

"His selection is a tribute to the esteem with which he is held by everyone associated with this league," said former big leaguer Aret Shamsky, who will manage the Miracle. "It's been 41 years between starts for him. If he's rested and ready to take the mound again, we want him on our team."

In the 1965 World Series, Koufax wouldn't pitch Game 1 for Los Angeles because he wanted to observe the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. In his career with the Dodgers, he threw four no-hitters, including one perfect game.

The first pick in the draft was infielder Aaron Levin, 21, from San Luis Obispo, Calif., who played for Cuesta Community College, and who was also selected by Modi'in.

The league begins play June 24 with the six teams playing a 45-game schedule. Players from nine nations were drafted, and about a dozen of the 120 players in the league are expected to be Israeli citizens.

Excellent gesture on the league's part. Shows real respect for history.

But, the value placed on any left hander still amazes me. I wonder if Nuxie can still bring it? ;)

[AmarilloRed]

Sounds like it was a publicity stunt.

[Always Red]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2850886



Excellent gesture on the league's part. Shows real respect for history.

But, the value placed on any left hander still amazes me. I wonder if Nuxie can still bring it? ;)

Yes, but Nuxie isn't Jewish, as Sandy Koufax is.

It was a great show of respect for both his history in the game as well as his position as a respected Jewish athlete.

here's a good article: http://www.jewishsports.com/reflections/koufax_yom.htm

[rotnoid]

Yes, but Nuxie isn't Jewish, as Sandy Koufax is.

It was a great show of respect for both his history in the game as well as his position as a respected Jewish athlete.

here's a good article: http://www.jewishsports.com/reflections/koufax_yom.htm

I was more implying that the Reds could use bullpen help than Nuxie should have been taken in this draft. Koufax's story is an amazing one. There's a pretty good biography on my shelf at home, Sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy by Jane Leavy that follows his life from the early days into late retirement. Good read.

[Degenerate39]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2850886



Excellent gesture on the league's part. Shows real respect for history.

But, the value placed on any left hander still amazes me. I wonder if Nuxie can still bring it? ;)

Well hell why not make Nuxie the closer? I think he could do it.

[OldRightHander]

Koufax could probably get his 5th no no if he pitched against the Reds right now.

[LoganBuck]

So if someone is old enough to be Tommy John's father, does he get Tommy John for senior surgery?

[Phhhl]

Koufax was phenomenal in his prime, but he makes Jesse Orosco and Mike Stanton look like greenhorns. That's no way to build a pitching staff. No wonder Duquette got fired. I don't suspect Michael Lewis will be writing any books about him. Is Mr. Irrelavent in the Israeli league draft REALLY the way they want to honor one of the greatest lefties in the history of the game?

They're just trying to sell tickets and I ain't jaded.