Baseball Quote by Sandy Koufax
“The only time I really try for a strikeout is when I'm in a jam. If the bases are loaded with none out, for example, then I'll go for a strikeout. But most of the time I try to throw to spots. I try to get them to pop up or ground out. On a strikeout I might have to throw five or six pitches, sometimes more if there are foul-offs. That tires me. So I just try to get outs. That's what counts - outs. You win with outs, not strikeouts.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Post‑game interview, Los Angeles Dodgers, 1965
He prioritizes getting outs over striking out, focusing on efficient, low‑risk pitching rather than high‑effort strikeouts.
In simple terms: Get outs, not strikeouts.
Key Takeaway
Focus on efficient outs.
Themes
baseball
strategy
efficiency
Mood
determined
pragmatic
Type
advice
strategic
When to use this quote
- Game situations with runners on base
- tight games
- late innings
- low‑run innings
Key Concepts
Pitching
risk management
resource allocation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance risk and reward in high‑pressure moments?
- When is a strikeout worth the extra effort?
A Different Perspective
May miss opportunities for dominant performances when low‑risk approach is too conservative.
