1955 Topps #123 Sandy Koufax SGC 96 MINT 9

Graded MINT 96(9) by SGC. The offered example is 1 of just 6 copies that has been graded MINT 9 by SGC with none graded higher. At the time the featured card was issued Sandy was considered a "bonus baby" because his signing bonus was over $4000.00 meaning that the Dodgers had to keep him on the active roster. As a result Koufax took the roster spot of fellow pitcher and Hall Of Famer Tommy Lasorda who was optioned back to Montreal; Lasorda would later say "it took Sandy Koufax to knock me off the Dodger pitching staff." In the beginning it appeared as though the Dodgers may have made the wrong decision as Koufax posted decidedly average numbers and had exceptional trouble with the command and location of his pitches. In 1961 Sandy gained the form that saw him produce most likely the greatest six year span of pitching in ML history. Sandy pitched four no-hitters including a perfect game as well as leading the NL in wins, ERA and strikeouts during this six year span. Koufax gained national attention when, as a Jew, he declined to pitch the first game of the 1965 World Series because it fell on Yom Kippur, showing that a personal belief outweighed a social pressure. Sandy retired prematurely at the end of the 1966 season because of the terrible pain and arthritis that had developed in his left pitching arm, as a result he became the youngest HOF'er at an age of only 36. The offered example is without hesitation one of the finest copies of this card that we have ever had the privilege of offering. Spectacularly centered with pure white borders defining the interior color from the MINT edges. Each of the four corners appears pack fresh with no evidence of prior handling or wear at any of the points. The color is a terrific combination of bright hues as well as an almost three dimensional like shading. The surface is ablaze underneath a scintillating covering of gloss that multiplies the already astounding registration and focus. The reverse is splendidly printed without any stains or stray ink to be encountered. A simply awe-inspiring example of this prestigious pasteboard offered in commendable MINT condition.

NOTE: THE CARD PICTURED FOR THIS LOT IN THE PRINTED CATALOG IS INCORRECT. THAT CARD IS A PSA-GRADED EXAMPLE. THE SGC-GRADED CARD PICTURED HERE IS THE CORRECT ITEM.