When Sandy Koufax refused to take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1 of 1965 World Series owing to his Jewish faith

Sandy Koufax, one of the greatest Jewish players in MLB history, once refused to play in the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers' legendary pitcher was in a dilemma during the 1965 World Series.

Koufax had to choose whether he wanted to play Game 1 of the World Series between the Minnesota Twins and the Los Angeles Dodgers, which happened on Oct. 6, 1965, the same day as Yom Kippur.

Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day in Judaism and Samaritanism. A similar situation occurred during the 1959 World Series, which coincided with Rosh Hashanah’s Jewish New Year. Koufax again chose religion over the World Series.

He had the following to say to Milton Richman from United Press International:

"A man is entitled to his belief and I believe I should not work on Yom Kippur. It’s as simple as all that and I have never had any trouble on that account since I’ve been in baseball.”

Sandy Koufax was supported by a former Dodgers executive

Los Angeles Dodgers v Chicago Cubs

Sandy Koufax was supported not only by his fellow Jews but also by the former executive of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In an interview with the Associated Press, he said:

"I haven’t really talked about it to a rabbi. If we sew up the pennant, I plan to take it up and find out the proceedings."

Koufax also said he would pray for rain if he had to.

"If I’m told it isn’t proper to pitch, then I won’t because I wouldn’t feel right about it. I’m praying for rain Wednesday (Oct. 6). It has to rain. It would solve the whole matter.”

Walter O’Malley, who was the executive of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1950 to 1979, supported Koufax in his stance.

“I won’t let Sandy pitch on Yom Kippur under any circumstances,” O’Malley told the press. “I can’t let the boy do that to himself.”

In the end, the game went ahead as scheduled and Sandy Koufax chose to be absent. Don Drysdale pitched in the game.