Jerry Koosman

Jerry Koosman on September 28, 2008

Pitcher

Born: December 23, 1942 (age 74)
Appleton, Minnesota

Batted: Right

Threw: Left

MLB debut

April 14, 1967, for the New York Mets

Last MLB appearance

August 21, 1985, for the Philadelphia Phillies

MLB statistics

Win–loss record

222–209

Earned run average

3.36

Strikeouts

2,556

Teams

Career highlights and awards

Jerome Martin Koosman (born December 23, 1942) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies between 1967 and 1985. He is best known for being a member of the Miracle Mets team that won the 1969 World Series.

Koosman was discovered by the son of a Shea Stadium usher who caught Koosman when he pitched in the Army at Fort Bliss, Texas, he had written to his dad about Koosman. The Mets offered Koosman a contract after his discharge. Koosman was about to be cut from the Mets in 1966, when Joe McDonald, the Assistant farm director requested Koosman be retained at least until his first payday as he owed the Mets money they had wired him after his car broke down en route to spring training.

After leading all International League pitchers in strikeouts in 1967, Koosman broke into the Mets’ rotation in 1968. He posted a 19-12 record with seven shutouts, 178 strikeouts and a 2.08 earned run average. The wins, shutouts, and ERA set franchise records, breaking those set by mound mate Tom Seaver just the year before. Koosman also made the first of two All-Star teams in his career. The National League won the game 1-0 (to date, the only All-Star Game to end in a 1-0 score) in this, the "Year of the Pitcher." Koosman pitched a scoreless ninth for the save, striking out Carl Yastrzemski for the final out. Koosman would be named to the 1968 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster and finished runner-up to Johnny Bench for the National League Rookie of the Year honors.

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