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Jerry Koosman: All Time Mets Left Handed Pitcher (Part Two: 1970 - 1973)

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After the Championship:  After the World Series win the Mets appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show singing "You Got to Have Heart". Koosman was thrilled to do it. In the off season he enjoyed the luxuries that come from being a World Champion & any member of the Amazing Mets would associate  with that win forever. 1970: Koosman pitched the second game of the 1970 season taking a tough 2-1 loss to Doc Ellis & the Pittsburgh Pirates. In the bottom of the 1st, Kooz walked the first two Pirates, then Roberto Clemente reached on an infield single to third base.. Joe Foys two base throwing error allowed both runs to score unearned. On April 14th, 1970, the Mets raised the World Championship banner at Shea Stadium, before the home opener. Koosman started the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving  up three runs, taking a no decision. In the top  of the 10th Tug McGraw & Cal Koonce lost the game on RBI hits from Matty Alou & Richie Hebner. On Apri...
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Jerry Koosman: All Time Mets Left Handed Pitcher (Part One: 1967 - 1969)

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Jerome Martin Koosman w as born December 23, 1942, on a farm in Appleton, Minnesota. As a child he left hander went ice fishing and played baseball in their family’s hay loft with his brother. He was drafted into the army in 1962, & there was no baseball team where he was stationed. Lucky enough his dentist, who was a general in the same unit helped Koosman get to El Paso Texas where they did have a baseball team.  After a few warmup pitches at the try out, he was told he was in the starting rotation. Koosman was serving at Ft. Bliss, Texas and made a friend who was from Queens, New York. He also was the son of an usher at Shea Stadium. John Luchese wrote to his dad telling him the Mets team should check this Koosman guy out, he could sure throw. The scouts came and offered him a contract right away after seeing him pitch. Quotes- Jerry Koosman:  “It seemed every time we spoke, they lowered the offer by a hundred dollars. I figured I be...
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