Topps baseball card #399 features one of the greatest pitchers of all time, Sandy Koufax of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The card is from the 1967 Topps baseball card series. This particular card holds significance not only because it depicts Koufax, but because it was the last baseball card issued of the legendary left-handed hurler during his Hall of Fame career.
Sandy Koufax debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1955 at just 19 years old. He struggled early but began showing glimpses of his potential. In 1961, at age 25, Koufax started to dominate hitters like never seen before. He went 18-13 with a 3.52 ERA and 185 strikeouts, winning the first of three Cy Young awards. Koufax took his game to new heights over the next few seasons. In 1962 he went 14-7 with a 3.55 ERA and 187 Ks. In 1963 he became the first pitcher ever to strike out more than 200 batters in back-to-back seasons, fanning 269 hitters.
Koufax’s career truly hit its peak from 1964-1966. In 1964, he won the National League MVP and his first Cy Young award going 25-5 with a 1.74 ERA and a modern-day record 382 strikeouts. Hitters were utterly helpless against Koufax’s blazing fastball and knee-buckling curveball. In 1965 he won another Cy Young going 26-8 with a 2.04 ERA and 323 strikeouts. That season Koufax no-hit the Giants 1-0 on June 30th. In 1966, at the age of 30, Koufax produced what is considered by many to be the finest single season pitching has ever seen. He went 27-9 with a dizzying 1.73 ERA and a mind-boggling 383 strikeouts in 323 innings pitched.
Unfortunately for baseball fans, 1966 would be Koufax’s last season. Chronic arthritis in his pitching elbow worsened each year taking an immense physical toll. After much deliberation in the offseason, Koufax made the difficult decision to prematurely retire at just 30 years old to preserve the long-term health of his arm. The 1967 Topps card #399 was thus the final issued card for Koufax’s playing career. It depicts a stoic Koufax in a Dodgers uniform, forever immortalizing his legendary accomplishments on the mound.
While short by today’s standards at just 12 seasons, Koufax’s numbers compare favorably to any pitcher in history. His 165 career wins, 2.76 career ERA, 23 career shutouts, 4 career ERA titles, 3 Cy Young awards and 1 MVP award are truly remarkable considering he retired at such a young age. His .655 career winning percentage ranks 2nd all-time. Had Koufax been able to pitch into his late 30s, he likely would have shattered nearly every pitching record.
The rarity and historical significance of card #399 make high grade specimens particularly valuable to collectors today. The card itself features a colorful multi-tone design and script Dodgers logo in the team’s classic royal and white colors. Several key production details influence the card’s value such as the white borders, black and white photo, and “pencil test lines” on the reverse. PSA/BGS Pop Reports suggest fewer than 10 PSA/BGS graded copies exist in pristine mint condition of GEM MT 10. For perspective, the population reports for Koufax’s other 60s Topps issues show significantly higher amounts at the top grades.
Sales data over the past decade shows Topps #399 in high grades consistently trading hands for $5,000-$10,000. Notable auction records include a PSA 9 copy that sold for $7,500 in 2015 and a PSA 8 that brought $6,250 in 2018. ButCondition and centering are critical – a low grade common PSA 6 may sell under $1,000. For serious Koufax and Dodgers collectors, a true mint PSA 10 of this iconic card represents the pinnacle, with comps easily reaching $25,000 or more when one crosses the auction block. Such high prices reflect not just the rarity aspects, but the tremendous historical importance of card #399 as the final issued card for one of the most dominating and influential pitchers to ever play the game.
In summary, Topps #399 provides a unique and treasured glimpse into Sandy Koufax’s career. As the last card produced of his Hall of Fame MLB tenure, it takes on an extra layer of nostalgia and significance cherished by everyone from vintage collectors to Dodgers diehards. Condition is king for this widely desired issue, and finding that illusive true gem copy in a 10 is the summit for those seeking to tribute one of baseball’s immortals through the enduring medium of his final Topps issue trading card. Card #399 is surely destined to retain prominence amongst collectors for generations to come.
