The New York Mets team announced Hall of Famer and two-time All-Star Jerry Koosman on Sunday morning in Osceola, Wisconsin. 83. The Mets say Koosman battled multiple illnesses before his death.
“Kooz was one of the greatest pitchers in team history and a beloved member of the Mets family,” Mets owners Alex and Steve Cohen said in a statement. “The 1969 Miracle Mets were filled with heroes, and a special southern part from Appleton, Minnesota, was their main success. A fierce competitor on the field, and a respected teammate in the clubhouse. With these legendary performances in the World Series, he helped the Mets win the first championship in the history of the team. On behalf of the entire Mets organization, family, friends, friends, friends, friends, friends, and everyone in Jerry, our teams, and all associates and friends of Jerry, extend
While Koosman was in camp with the United States Army, the Mets signed him to a contract in August 1964. He made his MLB debut in April 1967 and moved into the rotation next season. Koosman pitched 263 innings with a 2.08 ERA as a rookie in 1968, which earned him an MVP selection and votes for Rookie of the Year behind Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.
In 1969, Koosman was an All-Star again, pitching 241 innings with a 2.28 ERA. New York became the No. 2 starter at the position between Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Ryan Nolan. Koosman makes two starts for the Mets in the World Series, including the Game 5 clincher against the Baltimore Orioles. He allowed three runs to win a complete game and surrender all records but one in two World Series starts.
From 1968-76, Koosman was one of the best pitchers in the game, pitching to a 2.94 ERA and averaging 223 innings per season. The Mets traded him to the Minnesota Twins for Jesse Orosco in December 1978, and Koosman finished his career with stints for the Twins (1979–81), the Chicago White Sox (1981–83), and the Philadelphia Phillies (1984–85).
Koosman retired following 1985 with a 222-209 record and 3.36 ERA that is 39th among AL/NL with at least 3,500 career innings. He ranks 35th all-time in strikeouts (2,556), 40th all-time in starts (527), 48th all-time in innings pitched (3,839), and 77th all-time in WAR pitched (57.0). Koosman went to two All-Star games and finished second to Randy Jones in the 1976 Cy Young voting.
The Mets inducted Koosman into their Hall of Fame in 1989 and his No. 36 in 2021. His 140 wins are the most in franchise history among left-handers and third all-time in team history, behind Seaver (198) and Dwight Gooden (157). Koosman is second in Mets history in innings pitched (behind Seaver) and third in strikeouts (behind Seaver and Gooden).
Koosman fell off the Baseball Writers’ Association of America’s Hall of Fame ballot in 1991, his first year of eligibility.