John Baumes

We are saddened by the passing of Jerry Koosman, one of the key figures of the 1969 World Series champion New York Mets. Koosman and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver – who made their Major League debuts on back-to-back days in 1967 – formed the top-of-the-rotation tandem that helped turn the once-lowly Mets into world champs. On October 16, 1969, in Game 5 of the World Series, Koosman threw a complete-game five-hitter against Baltimore for his second win of the series, this one clinching the world championship for the “Miracle Mets.” The image of Koosman leaping into catcher Jerry Grote’s arms after the final out remains one of the most iconic images in baseball history. Koosman, who spent his first 12 seasons with the Mets, won 222 games over 19 years that included stops with the Twins, White Sox, and Phillies. He won a career-high 21 games in 1976, finishing second in NL Cy Young voting. In 2019, the Mets retired Koosman’s uniform No. 36. He was 83 years old.