Jerry Koosman, the celebrated left-handed pitcher whose stellar performances on the mound propelled the franchise to its first World Series championship in 1969, died on Sunday morning at the age of 83. The organization announced his passing, noting that he was surrounded by his family in Osceola, Wisconsin. According to Jay Horwitz, Koosman had been battling multiple illnesses prior to his death.
Koosman cemented his place in baseball history during the historic 1969 postseason. After the Baltimore Orioles captured Game 1 of the Fall Classic, Koosman delivered a stellar performance to earn the victory in Game 2. He returned to the mound for the decisive Game 5, pitching the Mets to victory and securing the franchise’s improbable world title.
Across 12 seasons with the club, Koosman established himself as one of the definitive figures in franchise history, compiling a 3.09 regular-season earned run average and earning two All-Star selections. In recognition of his enduring contributions to the team, the organization retired his No. 36 jersey during a pre-game ceremony at Citi Field on August 28, 2021.
Following his tenure with the club, Koosman continued his Major League career with stints pitching for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. He leaves behind a legacy as a cornerstone of one of the most celebrated upsets in baseball history.
