Jerry Koosman- Mets All Time Lefthander (Part Three 1974 - 1985)
After the Pennant Season: After the post season ended, Koosman joined the Mets on a good will baseball tour of Japan. 1974: The '74 Mets were a big disappointment; they battled injuries, played poorly & were not able to defend their NL title. The team fell to fifth place, going 71-91 with poor offense & a struggling pitching staff. Jerry Koosman started out the year well winning his first four decisions to get to 4-0 thru early May. Jerry made his first start on Opening Day at Shea, the third Mets game of the year. Today the Mets raised the NL Championship banner on the flag poll & the season started out with hopes of defending the championship. Kooz pitched into the 9th inning, beating the St. Louis Cardinals & John Curtis, 3-2 at Shea Stadium. In the game Jerry Grote homered & drove in two runs, with John Milner adding a RBI single. In his second start, he gave up two runs to the Phillies in seven innings, but took a no decisio...