Koufax to be Dodgers’ guest instructor
March 1, 2010
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP)—Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers—especially theleft-handers—are about to get the instruction of a lifetime.
Hall of Fame lefty Sandy Koufax will make an appearance at the Dodgers’spring training this week as a guest instructor.
Koufax has made few public appearances since his retirement in 1966, but theinstructor role will cap a very public week for him. On Sunday, he was theheadline guest at a fundraiser in Los Angeles for manager Joe Torre’s personalcharity.
Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw(notes) also attended Torre’sfundraiser, appearing onstage with Koufax. Kershaw and Koufax were then lockedin conversation on the flight to Arizona late Sunday night.
“You feel really comfortable when you’re with him,” Kershaw said. “Someof the Hall of Fame players I’ve met—not that they aren’t approachable—butyou’re in awe of them. He makes it really easy for you to talk to him. It’s likehe’s another coach.”
Torre has often made comparisons between Koufax and Kershaw, stoppinghimself on occasion when realizing it might put undue pressure his 21-year-oldpitcher.
“Going back on the plane (Sunday) night, it did my heart some good becausethose two guys just talked the whole way back,” Torre said.
Kershaw declined to be specific about what he discussed with Koufax, but itseemed to already have made an impact.
“It was pretty awesome,” said Kershaw, who has had bouts of controlproblems in the early part of his career much like Koufax did. “To sit thereand talk to him for an hour was unbelievable. I learned more on that plane tripthan I have in a long time.”
Kershaw wont make his spring debut until March 7, long after Koufax isexpected to leave camp to return to his Florida home. The Dodgers’ springtraining opener is Friday against the Chicago White Sox.
Spring training visits aren’t exactly uncommon for Koufax. When the Dodgerstrained at Vero Beach, Fla., their longtime spring home until 2008, Koufax wouldmake sporadic visits and be available for instruction. He was also aminor-league pitching coach for the club throughout the 1980s.
This time around, he’s likely to take a more passive approach as coach.
“Sandy will always be there,” Torre said. “He just doesn’t like to go outand be conspicuous. But if somebody has a question he’s certainly not shy abouthelping if he’s asked to help.”
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