Baseball's First Big Holdout
This Day In Baseball History
In the world of baseball, few names are as legendary as Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale. These two pitchers dominated the game in the 1960s, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to multiple World Series titles and cementing their places in baseball history. However, their legacy was not just built on the field. In 1966, Koufax and Drysdale made headlines when they held out for better contracts, a move that would forever change the landscape of baseball negotiations.
At the time, Koufax and Drysdale were the two best pitchers in baseball. Koufax had won three Cy Young Awards and two World Series MVPs, while Drysdale had won a Cy Young and a World Series ring of his own. They were the anchors of the Dodgers' pitching staff, and their importance to the team could not be overstated.
However, despite their success on the field, Koufax and Drysdale were not paid like the superstars they were. In 1965, Koufax made just $85,000, while Drysdale earned $80,000. For comparison, the highest-paid player in baseball at the time was Mickey Mantle, who earned $100,000. Koufax and Drysdale believed they deserved to be paid more, and they were not afraid to hold out to get what they wanted. They even went as far as to line up movie roles to make some money if baseball didn’t work.
The holdout began in February of 1966, just weeks before the start of spring training. Koufax and Drysdale refused to sign their contracts, demanding a raise to combined $1 million over three years. The Dodgers, meanwhile, were offering $210,000 and $190,000, respectively.
The holdout lasted for several weeks, with both sides refusing to budge. Koufax and Drysdale were willing to sit out the entire season if necessary, and the Dodgers were not ready to give in to their demands. The standoff was front-page news across the country, and fans were divided on who was in the right. This being one of the first major holdouts in baseball history many were against the players. Even today baseball players are less likely to hold out compared to say an NBA athlete.
However, the ball was in the players court. Koufax was coming off a season where he went 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA and 382 strikeouts, winning the Cy Young Award.
Finally, in early March, the Dodgers and Koufax and Drysdale reached a compromise. Koufax signed for $125,000, and Drysdale for $110,000, making them the highest-paid players in baseball at the time. The holdout was over, but its impact would be felt for years.
Koufax and Drysdale's holdout was a turning point in baseball history. It showed that players had power and could use it to demand better pay and working conditions. It also set the stage for the rise of free agency, which would transform the sport in the coming years.