Jerry Koosman, Mets starter and 1969 World Series contributor, dies at 83
The left-handed pitcher, who held the franchise record for wins by a southpaw, passed away in Wisconsin after battling multiple illnesses.
By Samuel Hayes ·
New York Mets team Hall of Famer Jerry Koosman died Sunday morning in Osceola, Wisconsin. The team announced that the former two-time All-Star, who was 83 years old, had been battling multiple illnesses prior to his death.
The Mets originally found Koosman while he was serving in the United States Army and signed him to a contract in August 1964. He made his major league debut in April 1967 and secured a full-time rotation spot the following year. In his 1968 rookie season, Koosman threw 263 two-thirds innings with a 2.08 earned run average. That performance earned him an All-Star selection and a second-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting behind Johnny Bench.
Koosman returned to the All-Star Game in 1969, posting a 2.28 ERA over 241 innings. During the postseason, he served as the number two starter between Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan. He appeared in two World Series starts for the team, including the Game 5 clincher against the Baltimore Orioles. In that complete game victory, he allowed three runs and recorded all but one possible out across his two series appearances.
From 1968 through 1976, Koosman maintained 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 from 1979 to 1981, the Chicago White Sox from 1981 to 1983, and the Philadelphia Phillies from 1984 to 1985.
Koosman retired after the 1985 season with a 222-209 record and a 3.36 ERA. His career totals include 2,556 strikeouts, which ranks 35th all-time, and 527 starts, which ranks 40th all-time. He also logged 3,839 one-third innings and accumulated 57.0 pitching wins above replacement. He finished second to Randy Jones in the 1976 Cy Young Award voting.
The Mets inducted Koosman into their team Hall of Fame in 1989 and retired his number 36 in 2021. His 140 victories remain the most in franchise history for left-handed pitchers and the third-most overall, behind Seaver and Dwight Gooden. He also ranks second in team history for innings pitched. Koosman fell off the Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame ballot in 1991, his first year of eligibility.
Source: CBS Sports
