May 11, 1963 - Lefthander Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has had a ton of thrills in his major league career, said he got the biggest one tonight when he pitched a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants. “To pitch a perfect game would have been the greatest thrill,” Koufax said. “It’s too bad I walked those two guys, but it still is my greatest thrill.” Koufax said he was afraid he’d get a good bawling out from his parents. “I was supposed to leave them tickets for the game,” he said with a rueful grin, “but I forgot.” Sandy’s achievements before tonight included two 18-strikeout performances, one against the Giants in 1959 and the other against the Cubs last year. He is the only man in major league history to fan 18 in a game on two occasions. And last June 30, he pitched his first no-hitter against the Mets. “But,” he said tonight, “pitching a no-hitter against the Giants is the finest thing that can happen to you.” “There were some good plays behind me,” Sandy continued. “Tommy Davis made one on that fly Felipe Alou hit in the seventh. I didn’t think it was going to stay in the park.” Davis caught the ball just in front of the railing near the left-field stands. Koufax said third baseman Jim Gilliam, shortstop Dick Tracewski, and centerfielder Willie Davis also gave him fine support. Koufax paid a special compliment to his catcher, John Roseboro. “John fought all the way,” Sandy remarked. “I have to give him a lot of credit.”
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