New York Mets Hall of Famer and two-time All-Star Jerry Koosman died Sunday morning in Osceola, Wisconsin, the team announced. He was 83. The Mets said 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 the special southpaw from Appleton, Minnesota, was central to their success. He was a fierce competitor on the field, and respected teammate in the clubhouse. His legendary performance in the World Series helped the Mets secure their first Championship in team history. On behalf of the entire Mets organization, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Jerry's family, friends, former teammates and all who loved him."
Career highlights
The Mets discovered Koosman while he was pitching for the United States Army and signed him in August 1964. He made his MLB debut in April 1967 and joined the rotation full-time the next season. As a rookie in 1968, Koosman threw 263 ⅔ innings with a 2.08 ERA, earning an All-Star selection, MVP votes, and a second-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting behind Johnny Bench.
In 1969, Koosman was again an All-Star, logging 241 innings with a 2.28 ERA. He served as New York's No. 2 starter in the postseason between Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan. Koosman made two starts in the World Series, including the Game 5 clincher against the Baltimore Orioles. He allowed three runs in a complete-game victory and recorded all but one possible out across his two World Series starts.
From 1968 to 1976, Koosman posted a 2.94 ERA and averaged 223 innings per season. The Mets traded him to the Minnesota Twins for Jesse Orosco in December 1978. He finished his career with the Twins (1979–81), Chicago White Sox (1981–83), and Philadelphia Phillies (1984–85). Koosman retired after the 1985 season with a 222–209 record and a 3.36 ERA that ranks 39th among AL/NL pitchers with at least 3,500 career innings. He ranks 35th all-time in strikeouts (2,556), 40th in starts (527), 48th in innings (3,839 ⅓), and 77th in pitching WAR (57.0). Koosman appeared in 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 retired his No. 36 in 2021. His 140 wins are the most in franchise history among left-handers and third overall behind Seaver (198) and Dwight Gooden (157). He ranks second in team history in innings pitched (behind Seaver) and third in strikeouts (behind Seaver and Gooden). Koosman fell off the Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame ballot in 1991, his first year of eligibility.
