Mets Announce Death of 1969 Hero Jerry Koosman
The former pitcher who secured the team's championship victory died at 83 in Wisconsin after a battle with illness.
By Jason Wood ·
The New York Mets confirmed the death of former pitcher Jerry Koosman on Sunday. Koosman, who was 83 years old, died in Osceola, Wisconsin, surrounded by his family after battling multiple illnesses.
Koosman was a central figure in the Mets' 1969 World Series run. He started three games in that championship series against the Baltimore Orioles, recording a win in each start. His performance in Game 5 secured the title for New York.
Over a 12-season career with the Mets, the left-hander from Appleton, Minnesota, made two All-Star appearances in 1968 and 1969. He returned to the World Series in 1973, winning two starts against the Oakland Athletics. His career totals included 222 wins, 209 losses, and 2,556 strikeouts.
Koosman played for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies before retiring in 1985. He recorded 140 complete games and 33 shutouts during his professional tenure. In 1976, he finished second in the National League Cy Young Award voting after posting a 21-10 record.
The Mets retired his number 36 jersey in 2021 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame in 1989. Jay Horwitz, the team's vice president of media relations, called Koosman one of the biggest heroes of the 1969 team. Horwitz wrote, "Rest in peace, Kooz," in a statement shared by the club.
Source: WGVL
