Former Met of the Day: Cal Koonce (1967-1970)

Calvin Lee Koonce was born on November 18, 1940 at Fayetteville, North Carolina. He went to Campbell Town University and signed with the Cubs in 1961. Koonce started out great going 9-1 by the 1962 All Star break looking like a future star, but then he struggled losing nine of his next ten decisions, finishing up at 10-10. He would never again reached double figures in wins, ending up 29-35 in his Cubs years, posting an ERA of around 4.00.

In 1967 he was purchased by the Mets having his best years in New York. He finished up that year 3-3 with the Mets, with a 2.80 ERA in 11 games, throwing two
complete game victories. In 1968 Koonce became a reliever for Gil Hodges, earning 11 saves with a 6-4 record. He posted a 2.41 ERA, striking out 50 batters in 97 innings with 55 appearances.

On opening day at Shea in 1969 Koonce was the losing pitcher in the first game played by the expansion Montreal Expos. He came in to relieve Tom Seaver in the sixth inning and gave up three runs, as the Expos went on to win 11-10.

The rest of the year he went 6-3 with seven saves, the third best reliever behind Tug McGraw & Ron Taylor. He struck out 48 batters in 83 innings posting a high ERA of 4.99. He didn't appear in any post season games.

After going 0-2 in 1970 he was sold to the Red Sox where he pitched for two seasons. Lifetime for the Mets, he was 15-12 earning 18 saves in 119 appearances.

Retirement: After playing he coached baseball at Campbell University in North Carolina and was the first general manager of the Fayetteville Generals minor league baseball team.

Passing: He passed away in 1993, after spending nearly four years battling lymphoma cancer.
He was 52 years old & was survived by His wife, and four children.