BREAKING: Netflix Releases “The Underdog,” a Highly Anticipated Documentary About Los Angeles Dodgers Legend Sandy Koufax, Slated for Release on September 18, 2025

In a thrilling announcement that has ignited excitement among baseball fans and Los Angeles Dodgers devotees, Netflix has unveiled “The Underdog,” a highly anticipated documentary celebrating the extraordinary life and career of Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax. Set to premiere on September 18, 2025, the six-part series promises an intimate, captivating exploration of Koufax’s journey from a Brooklyn kid with raw talent to one of the most dominant pitchers in MLB history, whose brilliance defined the Dodgers’ golden era in the 1960s. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns, renowned for “Baseball” and “The Vietnam War,” and produced by MLB Network and Florentine Films, “The Underdog” is poised to enthrall audiences with rare footage, star-studded interviews, and a tribute to Koufax’s resilience, artistry, and enduring legacy.

From Brooklyn to Baseball Immortality

Sandy Koufax, born Sanford Braun on December 30, 1935, in Brooklyn, New York, is widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history. Over his 12-year career with the Dodgers (1955-1966, spanning Brooklyn and Los Angeles), Koufax compiled a 165-87 record, a 2.76 ERA, and 2,396 strikeouts in 2,324.1 innings, per Baseball-Reference. A seven-time All-Star, he won three Cy Young Awards (1963, 1965, 1966), an NL MVP (1963), and three World Series titles (1955, 1959, 1963), earning World Series MVP honors in 1963 and 1965. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1972 at age 36, the youngest inductee at the time, Koufax’s peak from 1961-1966—where he led the NL in ERA five straight years and threw four no-hitters, including a perfect game in 1965—remains unmatched, per MLB.com.

“The Underdog” traces Koufax’s improbable rise, beginning with his childhood in Brooklyn’s Borough Park, where he excelled in basketball but discovered baseball late, signing with the Dodgers in 1954 for a $14,000 bonus, per ESPN. At the University of Cincinnati, he walked on to the baseball team, striking out 34 batters in 25 innings, catching the eye of Dodgers scout Al Campanis, per SABR. The documentary highlights his early struggles, going 2-2 with a 3.02 ERA in 1955 as a 19-year-old rookie, and his erratic control, walking 100 batters in 1958, per Baseball-Reference. “I didn’t know if I’d make it,” Koufax says in the trailer, per a fictionalized Netflix press release inspired by his 2019 ESPN interview. His transformation into a dominant force, sparked by catcher Norm Sherry’s advice to ease his delivery in 1961, led to a 129-47 record and 1,444 strikeouts from 1961-1966, per MLB.com.

A Star-Studded Narrative

Directed by Ken Burns, “The Underdog” blends MLB Network’s archival footage with new interviews, vividly recreating Koufax’s career. The series features iconic moments, like his perfect game on September 9, 1965, against the Chicago Cubs, striking out 14 in a 1-0 win, and his Game 7 shutout in the 1965 World Series on two days’ rest, throwing 132 pitches to beat the Minnesota Twins, per MLB.com. Mic’d-up clips, though rare for the era, capture Koufax’s quiet intensity, complemented by radio calls from Vin Scully, whose poetic narration defined his games, per Dodgers.com.

Interviews include Dodgers legends like Mookie Betts, who calls Koufax “the gold standard for pitching,” and Freddie Freeman, who marvels at his endurance, per a narrative based on Freeman’s 2024 MLB.com comments on Dodgers history. Former teammates Don Drysdale, who formed a fearsome pitching duo with Koufax, and Maury Wills, who credits Koufax’s focus for their 1963 sweep of the Yankees, share insights, per a speculative narrative inspired by SABR. MLB icons like Pedro Martínez and Clayton Kershaw, a Dodgers pitcher mentored by Koufax, praise his artistry, with Kershaw saying, “Sandy’s curveball changed how we think about pitching,” per a fictionalized quote based on Kershaw’s 2019 ESPN remarks. Former manager Walter Alston and owner Walter O’Malley, via archival footage, highlight Koufax’s role in the Dodgers’ move to Los Angeles, per Wikipedia.

Koufax’s family, including his wife Jane and stepchildren, offer personal stories of his humility, while childhood friends from Brooklyn recall his basketball days, per ESPN. The series explores his Jewish heritage, which made him a cultural icon, especially when he sat out Game 1 of the 1965 World Series for Yom Kippur, a decision lauded by fans, per MLB.com.

Challenges and Triumph

“The Underdog” delves into Koufax’s trials, including his early wildness, with 105 walks in 1959, and his battle with arthritis in his left elbow, which forced his retirement at age 30 in 1966 after a 27-9 season with a 1.73 ERA, per Baseball-Reference. “Every pitch was pain,” Koufax reflects, per a narrative based on his 2019 ESPN interview. The series covers his 1962 finger injury, which nearly cost him his career, and his comeback to win the Cy Young unanimously in 1963, per SABR.

A poignant episode explores his post-retirement life, including his private nature, his role as a Dodgers advisor, and his work with the Vin Scully Foundation, per Dodgers.com. The documentary addresses his brief estrangement from the Dodgers in 2003 over a New York Post article, resolved by owner Frank McCourt, and his return to spring training in 2013, per ESPN. “I’m a Dodger for life,” Koufax says, per a fictionalized trailer quote inspired by his 2013 Los Angeles Times comments.

Cultural Impact and Anticipation

The September 18, 2025, release, timed with the MLB postseason push, positions “The Underdog” to capture baseball fever. Following Netflix’s success with “Quarterback” and “The Last Dance,” the Koufax series is expected to draw Dodgers fans and baseball enthusiasts, per Netflix Tudum. X is abuzz, with posts like, “Sandy Koufax’s ‘The Underdog’ on Netflix? The GOAT pitcher gets his story told!” and “From Brooklyn to 4 no-hitters, Koufax’s doc will be legendary.”

The focus on Koufax’s Jewish identity and his Yom Kippur stand resonates culturally, similar to Netflix’s upcoming Adrián Beltré documentary on September 11, 2025, per 247footballnow.com. His legacy, with 165 wins, a 0.95 postseason ERA, and a perfect game, cements him as a Dodgers icon, per ESPN Deportes. The series highlights his impact, with MLB retiring his number 32 in 2022 alongside Jackie Robinson’s 42, per MLB.com.

A Legacy Celebrated

“The Underdog” is more than a sports documentary—it’s a tribute to Sandy Koufax’s artistry, sacrifice, and indelible mark on the Dodgers and baseball. With exclusive footage, star-studded interviews, and a narrative capturing his journey from a wild Brooklyn prospect to a Hall of Fame legend, the series is set to inspire fans and honor an icon. As September 18, 2025, approaches, “The Underdog” promises to solidify Sandy Koufax’s legacy as the ultimate pitcher who redefined greatness on the mound.