Sandy Koufax – Baseball by The Letters

Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale led by example, says Dodgers teammate Claude Osteen

Tom Owens — Mon, 23 Nov 2020 02:26:29 +0000

In 2010, long-time Dodgers pitcher Claude Osteen sent me a stunning response to my letter. In honor of the team’s 2020 World Series title, I wanted to share Osteen’s insights one more time.
———————————

(Photo courtesy Mark Langill, Dodgers team historian)

Pitcher Claude Osteen overwhelmed me with his reply. His was a letter filled with the insights of a winner.

I related to him the amazing conversation I overheard before a 1980s AAA game in Tacoma. Coach Osteen chatted with young pitchers in the bullpen, telling how getting your elbow “scooped” (bone chips removed) was great.

I realized his passion for pitching. The minor leaguers hung on his every word. He could relate to their journey to the bigs. They knew was a devoted member of the Dodgers family, focused on the organization’s future.

Where did that passion and devotion come from? Did he find role models in Los Angeles? Osteen wrote:

“I learned from Koufax and Drysdale what it meant to be a Dodger and how the name was synonymous with pitching. I was embarrassed not to pitch well.”

Claude Osteen (center) clowns around with fellow pitchers Sandy Koufax (with cap) and Don Drysdale. Behind Osteen, it seems, hangs a pair of boxer shorts with either polka dots or tiny hearts.

Osteen’s name will always be synonymous with autograph collectors. My favorite resource, www.sportscollectors.net, reported that the 81-year-old has responded to more than 800 autograph requests. The collector success rate, says the website, is 97 percent!

Pirate Frank Carpin Savors 2 Wins in 2 Nights

Tom Owens — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 14:07:00 +0000

“Take that, Yankees!”

A short but intriguing response arrived from pitcher Frank Carpin.

After seeing Carpin’s first-ever win, May 25, 1965, versus the Cubs (courtesy of http://www.retrosheet.org/), I asked for any memory of that milestone. Seems like it was just an afterglow.

“Second night I got a win. AAA previous night (Toledo). Against former Yankee teammates.”

I noted that on July 11, 1965, he beat the Dodgers with three shutout innings in front of the Forbes Field faithful.

“Struck out Sandy Koufax in that game. Fortunately didn’t have to hit off him.”

A great biography of the overlooked pitcher has been penned by “Dan,” an impressive blogger at New Jersey Baseball.

Pitcher Claude Osteen Shares Lessons of Dodger Teammates Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale

Tom Owens — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 06:12:00 +0000

(Courtesy Mark Langill, Team Historian, Los Angeles Dodgers)

Pitcher Claude Osteen overwhelmed me with his reply. His was a letter filled with the insights of a winner.

I related to him the amazing conversation I overheard before a 1980s AAA game in Tacoma. Coach Osteen chatted with young pitchers in the bullpen, telling how getting your elbow “scooped” (bone chips removed) was great. I realized his passion for pitching. He was a devoted member of the Dodgers family, focused on the organization’s future.

Where did that passion and devotion come from? Did he find role models in Los Angeles? Osteen wrote:

“I learned from Koufax and Drysdale what it meant to be a Dodger and how the name was synonymous with pitching. I was embarrassed not to pitch well.”