On August 31, 1959, Brooklyn Dodgers left-hander Sandy Koufax struck out 18 batters, setting a new National League record for most strikeouts in a single game. Koufax was an all-around athlete from Brooklyn. His preferred sport was basketball, but recruiters loved his strong left arm for baseball. He signed with the Dodgers in 1954. In a game against the San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers—and the entire stadium—erupted when Koufax struck out his 18th player, breaking a 26-year National League record.
