WASHINGTON -- Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax visited the Dodgers' clubhouse before Friday's Game 1 of the National League Division Series vs. the Nationals.
"Sandy, he's the best," said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. "I told him to come out here and talk to the media. No chance."
Koufax, 80, has been a regular attendee of Dodgers postseason games since Guggenheim Baseball Management bought the club. The Dodgers have reached the postseason each of the last four years.
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"It's almost an honor to have him around, but he doesn't look at it that way," said Dodgers chief marketing officer Lon Rosen. "He carries that sense of the Dodgers history with him. The players really enjoy talking to him."
Charlie Culberson, who slugged the walk-off home run to clinch the NL West title, said he asked to have his picture taken with Koufax.
"Obviously, it's Sandy Koufax, but another thing is that he's a genuinely nice guy," said Culberson. "For someone of his stature and what he's done in the game, to come up to you like you're his best friend, it's pretty special. When Sandy Koufax walks into the clubhouse, you stop. It's a different feeling when he's there."
Known for treasuring his privacy, Koufax, who has a home in Florida, participated in the Dodger Stadium tribute for Vin Scully's retirement two weeks ago.