The Mets announced Sunday that Jerry Koosman, a true franchise icon and one of their greatest pitchers ever, has passed away at 83. This guy was more than just a pitcher, he was a key part of baseball history, and it’s wild to think he’s gone.
The Humility of a Legend
Koosman’s number 36 was retired on August 28, 2021, at Citi Field, an honor he felt incredibly humbled by. He actually said before that ceremony, “Humbly thankful that they thought that much of me to retire my number. I know I’m joining a great crew that’s already had their numbers retired. I don’t know that I deserve it, but I guess we’re gonna get on with it.” That kind of humility, even after being recognized as one of the best, really tells you about the guy. He spent 12 years with the Mets, from 1967 to 1978, which means he was there for some absolute magic. He then went on to play for the Minnesota Twins from 1978-81, the Chicago White Sox from 1981-83, and finally the Philadelphia Phillies from 1983-84, before his last big league appearance on August 21, 1985.
The Wingman Who Was a Force
Listen, we all know about Tom Seaver, right? The ace. But Koosman was right there, often overshadowed, but totally dominant in his own right. Former Mets catcher and Koosman’s teammate from 1968-71, Duffy Dyer, hit it right on the head back in August 2021 when he told SNY’s Anthony McCarron, “Jerry was so underrated because Seaver was there, too.” Dyer wasn’t just talking, he saw it firsthand: “His fastball had really good movement and he threw hard. I always thought he was tougher to catch because you didn’t know how his fastball was going to move each time, cut, sink or rise. It was such a great pitch.” That’s high praise from someone who literally caught the dude.
SNY’s Danny Abriano, writing back on March 20, called him “Seaver’s wingman,” but pointed out Koosman’s ridiculous stats: a 3.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP over 2,500 innings during his time with the Mets. He was a two-time All-Star in 1968 and 1969. And don’t forget, his most dominant stretch was from 1968 to 1971, which, oh by the way, included tossing a complete game in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series, helping the Mets clinch their first title. That’s not just a wingman, that’s a legend doing legendary things when it mattered most.
Born December 23, 1942, in Appleton, Minnesota, Koosman made his MLB debut on April 14, 1967, and etched his name into baseball history. His legacy, especially that incredible run with the ’69 Mets, is just huge. We’ll always remember him as a force on the mound.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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