The Popcorn Stand: What special session and Koufax have in common

So the Legislature won’t meet during part of next week in its special session due to Yom Kippur. I’m not even going to touch the decision for the Legislature to begin its session on Columbus Day while taking part of the week off for Yom Kippur.

To be honest, and it’s not politically correct, I’ve never liked these holidays in which some people are working and some people aren’t. Of course, it’s not going to be that big of a deal when I go to the post office on Monday and forget it’s a holiday — for some.

But that’s not what I wanted to write about. The Legislature taking part of next week off for Yom Kippur reminded me of Sandy Koufax.

Koufax honored his Jewish heritage by refusing to start game 1 of the 1965 World Series for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Minnesota Twins because it fell on Yom Kippur. His decision still resonates with those of the Jewish faith.

Koufax went onto start games 2, 5 and 7 in the series, pitching complete game shutouts in games 5 and 7. Despite not being able to throw a curveball for about the last half of game 7, Koufax was still able to shut out the Twins on two days rest to clinch the World Series title for the Dodgers.

It also seems appropriate to me to remember just after the retirement of Vin Scully, Scully’s interview with Koufax after game 7.

Scully said to Koufax you said you felt like a hundred years old after game five and then asked Koufax how do you feel now. “A hundred and one,” Koufax replied.

That statement by Koufax could be considered somewhat prophetic because he retired one year later after the 1966 season due to arm trouble.

As far as the Legislature is concerned when they don’t meet for part of next week due to Yom Kippur they may actually have Koufax to thank for it because of the cultural impact of a decision he made more than 50 years ago.

Charles Whisnand