Jerry Koosman, the pitcher who recorded the final out for the historic 1969 Mets, has died
The former Major League Baseball pitcher died at the age of 83 in Wisconsin, surrounded by his children, after battling an illness for about a year. He was one of the stars of the so-called "Miracle Mets," who won their first World Series in 1969 against the Baltimore Orioles.
Jerry Koosman, the left-handed pitcher who recorded the final out of the New York Mets' historic victory in the 1969 World Series, passed away this Sunday at the age of 83, according to team spokesperson Jay Horwitz.
The former player died in Osceola, Wisconsin, surrounded by his children, after battling illness for about a year. Horwitz noted that his death was due to multiple illnesses.
Koosman, NBC recalled, was immortalized in one of the most memorable images in baseball history: the moment when he jumped on catcher Jerry Grote and the two embraced on the mound at Shea Stadium after recording the final out of the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles.
The 1969 championship was especially significant for New York. The Mets had never finished a season with a winning record before that year and had lost 100 games in five of their first seven seasons since their inception in 1962.
"We were so excited we couldn't speak," Koosman recalled in the book 'Amazin': The Miraculous History of New York's Most Beloved Baseball Team, published by Peter Golenbock in 2002.
A key figure in the historic 1969 season
Koosman finished his Major League career with a record of 222 wins and 209 losses, a 3.36 ERA, and 140 complete games, including 33 shutouts. He also had two seasons with at least 20 wins.
During his time with the Mets, from 1967 to 1978, he compiled 140 wins and 137 losses, with a 3.09 ERA. He later played for the Minnesota Twins (1979–1981), the Chicago White Sox (1981–1983), and the Philadelphia Phillies (1984–1985).
In 1969, the Mets staged a historic comeback during the regular season. The team took first place on September 10, during a ten-game winning streak, and won 38 of their last 49 games to finish with a record of 100–62 and win the newly created National League East Division.
Koosman, the team's second starter behind future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver, finished that season with 17 wins, nine losses, and a 2.28 ERA in 32 starts.
In the World Series, after Baltimore defeated Seaver and the Mets 4–1 in Game 1, Koosman allowed one run over eight and two-thirds innings to secure a 2-1 victory in Game 2.
In Game 5, he pitched a five-hit game and retired future Mets manager Davey Johnson on a fly ball to left field that Cleon Jones caught to end the game and clinch the championship.
"I turn around and look at Cleon, and I see him backing up, and, uh, the first thing that happens is your heart stops. Well, then you see him slow down… Oh my God, now you know everything's okay. Now the only thing left is: don't let him drop the ball," Koosman recounted in a 2019 interview with Howie Rose, the Mets' play-by-play announcer.
From his Major League debut to his recognition by the Mets
Born on December 23, 1942, in Appleton, Minnesota, Koosman began to excel at baseball while serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Their catcher at the time, John Luchese—the son of an usher at Shea Stadium—discussed his terms with his father, who passed the information on to Joe McDonald, a member of the Mets' front office. The team signed him on August 27, 1964, for $1,600.
After working his way up through the minor leagues, he made his Major League debut on April 14, 1967, at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia, pitching two and two-thirds innings without allowing a hit as a reliever.
In 1968, he established himself on the team and was selected for the All-Star Game. That season, he finished with 19 wins and 12 losses, along with a 2.08 ERA. He also finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, behind Cincinnati catcher Johnny Bench.
Koosman made another All-Star appearance in 1969 and was part of a rotation that included Seaver, Gary Gentry, Don Cardwell, and Jim McAndrew.
In 1973, he played in the World Series again with the Mets against the Oakland Athletics. He started the second and fifth games, earning a win in the latter and receiving a no-decision in the former.
The Mets retired his number 36
With the team in decline, Koosman announced after the 1978 season that he would retire if he wasn't traded. In December of that year, he was traded to Minnesota. He was later traded to the White Sox in August 1981 and to the Phillies in February 1984.
He is survived by his sons Michael and Shawn, and his daughter Danielle. His marriage to LaVonne Sorum ended in divorce.
🛠 Do you think there is an error in this article?
Recommendations
LATEST
