Baseball: Jerry Koosman dies at 83

Jerry Koosman died Sunday morning in Osceola, Wisconsin, according to the New York Mets. The team announced that the former pitcher was 83 years old and had been battling multiple illnesses prior to his death.

Koosman signed with the Mets in August 1964 after the organization scouted him while he pitched for the United States Army. He made his major league debut in April 1967 and secured a full-time rotation spot the following season. In 1968, he threw 263 ⅔ innings with a 2.08 ERA. That performance earned him an All-Star selection and a second-place finish in Rookie of the Year voting behind Johnny Bench.

The 1969 season solidified his status as a key member of the Miracle Mets. He recorded 241 innings with a 2.28 ERA and served as the number two starter behind Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan. Koosman started two games in the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles, including the Game 5 clincher. He allowed three runs in that complete game victory and recorded all but one possible out across his two postseason 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 in December 1978 in exchange for Jesse Orosco. He finished his career with the Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Koosman retired after the 1985 season with a 222-209 record and a 3.36 ERA. His career marks include 2,556 strikeouts, 527 starts, and 3,839 ⅓ innings pitched. He also 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 stand as the most for a left-handed pitcher in franchise history. He trails only Tom Seaver and Dwight Gooden in total wins for the club.

Koosman first appeared on the Baseball Writers Association of America Hall of Fame ballot in 1991 but did not receive enough votes to earn induction that year.