Jerry Koosman- Mets All Time Lefthander (Part Three 1974 - 1985)
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 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 decision in the 5-3 loss while striking out a season high, 11 batters.
Three Straight Complete Game Wins: But from there, he had a personal three-game win streak, beating the Dodgers at home, then the Phillies & Cubs on the road. All three wins were complete games, where he allowed just one run in each game. His ERA dropped from 3.73 to 3.14.
On June 25th at Wrigley Field, he had one of his his best outings of the season, pitching a one run four hitter, issuing no walks & striking out just one as his record went to 8-4.
On July 10th, he took a loss to the Padres at Shea before the Mets headed on a West Coast road trip. In San Francisco Jerry took his second straight loss, allowing six runs to the Giants at Candlestick Park. He would allow six runs or more in a game six times on the season.
On July 25th Kooz & Jon Matlack led New York to a double header sweep in San Diego, leading to the All-Star break. Kooz pitched his eighth complete game in the 10-2 win getting him to 10-7 on the season, making it the sixth time in seven seasons he reached the mark.
After the break, Kooz lost a 4-3 one run game to Bob Gibson & the Cardinals, in the first game of a twin bill in St. Louis.
Jerry lost his next two decisions although he pitched well, giving up just two runs in each outing.
The Pirates came to Shea in his next start scoring six runs giving him his 11th loss of the year. On September 30th, he finished up the year with a complete game win over the Phil's at Shea Stadium earning his 15th win, the third highest win total of his career up to that point.
Trivia: Starting in 1974 Koosman's strikeout totals would put him in MLB's top eight in that category, for the next seven seasons.
.jpg)
1975: Once again Koosman was the number two man in the Mets rotation behind Tom Seaver, as Tom Terrific would win his third Cy Young Award that year. Jon Matlack would win 16 games surpassing Koosman that year.
His next start was horrible, as he was removed in the second inning after allowing four runs & five hits to the Cardinals in St. Louis.
He followed that up with a victory over Don Gullet & the Big Red Machine at Riverfront Stadium.
Shut Out: On July 3rd at Shea Stadium, Koosman threw his second shutout of the season. A four hitter over the Chicago Cubs where he walked three & struck out five.
Koos Steals A Base: On July 22nd in a 3-1 win over the Reds at Shea Stadium, Koosman singled in the bottom of the 3rd inning. While on first base, he shocked everyone running & stealing second base, off pitcher Jack Billingham & catcher Bill Plummer. Hall of Famer Johnny Bench was not playing that night.
After three straight August losses, where he gave up 14 runs in 15.2 innings, Koosman went to the bullpen to work things out. He made two relief appearances, earning himself two saves. The first save came on August 17th, against the San Francisco Giants at Shea Stadium in relief of Tom Seaver & the next came two days later in Houston saving Jon Matlack 's 14th victory.
.JPG)
Double Figures in Complete Games Again: It was his tenth complete game as reached double figures in that category for the third straight year & fifth time in his career.
At the start of September, the Mets were just five games out of first place in a tight four team race.
Shut Out: On September 11th, Koosman shut out the Pirates on a six hitter for his fourth shutout & 11th complete game of the year, a 7-0 Mets win. It was the most shut outs he had posted since the 1969 Championship season.
Koosman finished the year with a 14-13 record posting a 3.42 ERA, with 173 strike outs (7th in the NL) & a career high 98 walks. He threw four shut outs (7th most in the NL) & eleven complete games in 34 starts over 239 innings pitched.
Complete Game Win: After losing his first start, he pitched a complete game win in Pittsburgh, as the Mets scored a season high 17 runs.
After a 1-1 April, he won all five of his May starts. From May 2nd to May 27th, he was 5-0 posting a 2.45 ERA.
On May 22nd in Montreal, Kooz allowed just one run in eight innings, fanning six to get his fourth straight win. On May 27th, in Philadelphia he held the Phillies down to two runs but entered the 9th inning down 2-1 to Jim Katt. The Mets scored four runs on Wayne Garrett's three run bases clearing triple & Roy Staiger's double giving Kooz his fourth straight win.
Koosman was now 6-1 at the end of the May posting a 2.77 ERA with 38 Ks.
After two more losses he finally broke the losing streak. On June 26th, he broke the losing streak with a win at Wrigley Field.
From July through the rest of the year, Koosman would go 14-4, with a 1.75 ERA striking out 141 batters & walking 36 in 154 innings pitched.
The first win came over the Astros, at Shea Stadium a five hit, one run win to notch his tenth victory (10-6). It was the fifth straight year he reached double figures in victories & the eighth time in his career.
Shut Outs & 15th Win: On August 4th, he tossed a four hit shut out over the Expos at Shea. After a win over the Padres he tossed another shut out, a 1-0 thriller over Gary Nolan & the Reds at Shea. He struck out 11 in the game for his second double digit strike out game of the season, one shy of his season high. He reached 15 victories for the fourth time in his career. The only run in the game came on Bruce Boisclair's RBI single in the 5th inning.
In September Jerry would win four straight complete games, adding two more shut outs to his season.
.JPG)
Three Hit Shut Out: On September 1st, he pitched a 1-0 three hit shut out over "the Count" John Montefusco who always pitched well against the Mets. Koosman walked just one in the game while striking out six. He lowered his ERA under three to 2.91.
Koosman beat the Cardinals for the second time in as many starts, with his 15th complete game, a one run four hitter, where he struck out a season high 13 batters.
Quotes- Jerry Koosman: "This was the night I was waiting for. Sure I was nervous, the pressure has been building ever since I reached number 17 & people asked me constantly if I thought I could win twenty. I've got twenty now but I can't even think about Cy Young Award yet."
In the clubhouse after the game, he sipped champagne with his family. The joyous event got him the front cover of the 1977 Mets yearbook.
Cy Young Runner Up: Koosman finished the year runner up to San Diego's Randy Jones for the Cy Young Award. Although many felt the award should have gone to Koosman. Kooz was 21-10 (2nd in the league in wins) striking out 200 batters (3rd in the league). His strikeout per nine inning ratio was second best in the league at 7.2.
Kooz posted a 2.69 ERA (4th best in the league) with 17 complete games (2nd in the league) & three shutouts. His ERA was his best posting since the 1969 Championship season. His 17 complete games matched his career high (1968).
.jpg)
The Bad Years: By1977 there were many changes in the organization, none for the better. After the Mets principal owner Joan Payson had passed away in 1975 the team management went into decline.
After a press war with Tom Seaver, the Mets franchise Hall of Fame pitcher was eventually traded away to Cincinnati. By mid season the whole thing fell apart, the Mets fell to last place & Shea Stadium became known as Grant's Tomb as attendance fell to record lows.
Three Hit Shut Out: On May 7th, he had his best day of the year, tossing a three hit shut out in San Francisco, striking out seven.
The Midnight Massacre: On June 15th, the Mets traded away Tom Seaver, the Mets most popular
player & biggest star. It was a sad day for everyone from the players to the fans. It was especially sad for Kooz who had been with Seaver since the start of their careers, with the two being the Mets top two pitchers.
He closed out July winning two straight decisions, the only time he won two straight decisions all year. He entered August at 8-11 posting a good 3.10 ERA.
Tom Seaver's Return To Shea: On August 21st, Tom Seaver returned to Shea Stadium as a Red & he faced off against his old pal, Koosman.
Kooz finished up 8-20 in 32 starts striking out 192 batters, walking 81 in 226 innings pitched. That year his strike outs per nine innings (7.624) was the best in the league.
The Final Mets Season: In 1978 Koosman became the first Mets pitcher in a decade, who wasn't Tom Seaver, to make an Opening Day start.
On Opening Day 1978 Koosman beat the Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium 3-1 with Gary Carter hitting a HR for the only Expo run. Koosman struck out seven batters in the Mets 3-1 win.
He lost three straight decisions from there, but earned a win on May 4th in Atlanta.
Unfortunately he would not see another victory until July 13th, a good two & a half months later. In that time he was 0-6 in nine games posting a 4.65 ERA with 44 runs in 81.2 innings.
In the dismal 1978 Mets season, he was 3-15 with 160 strikeouts & 84 walks in 235 innings pitched. Koosman posted a 3.75 ERA, in 38 starts he allowed two earned runs or less 16 times that season. He did allow four runs or more 12 times on the sear.
The Mets finished last that year 66-96 under manager Joe Torre. Koosman was one of the final players left since the miracle of 1969 & the pennant of 1973.
Post Mets Career- 1979 Minnesota: In his first game pitching in another uniform that didn't say Mets or New York on it, he impressed his new league.
Shut Out: On August 12th in Minneapolis, he shut out the Oakland A's beating Rick Langford in a 1-0 duel. It was his fifth complete game & the start of three straight. In the game he gave up ten hits. Danny Goodwin's double was the games only run.
That year the Twins finished 4th winning 82 games (82-80).
1980: Kooz now 37 years old, came back for another season with the Twins. He won 16 (10th best in the league) going 16-13 reaching double digits in wins for the tenth time in his career. The 16 wins were his fifth highest total in his career. He pitched 243 innings passing the 200 inning mark for the eighth straight season.
White Sox Career: Koosman spent the next two seasons with the White Sox, winning an AL West Title in 1983.
In 1983, he collected 11 wins, fourth most on the staff featuring two twenty game winners in Lamarr Hoytt & Richard Dotson. Kooz had actually began the year in the bullpen, collecting a save & a win before getting into the rotation in by late May.
The fans gave him a nice ovation in respect. That afternoon Koos allowed RBI singles to George Foster in the 1st inning) & later another to Mookie Wilson & his old teammate Rusty Staub.
He came back in June, this time beating the Mets & Ed Lynch 6-4, pitching seven innings. He then took another loss against the Mets at the end of the season.
In 1984 at age 41, Koosman was still effective. He went 14-15 (5th most losses in the NL) with 137 strike outs & a 3.25 ERA. He still had one more season in him, in 1985 he went 6-4 before retiring, at the age of 42.
Honors: Jerry Koosman was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1989.
On August 28th 2021, Kooz's #36 was retired & will hang forever in the upper rafters of Citi Field.
.jpg)
Quotes-Jerry Koosman: "Although we have lost some good friends, players & coaches & a great manager since that great year it's very special to see the rest of that team & their families. Also the fans have always played a huge role in all the successes of the Mets."
.jpg)
He collected 2556 strikeouts (35th All time) with 33 shut outs (87th all time) & a 3.36 ERA. He pitched 3839 innings (48th all time) in 612 appearances.
Koos made 527 starts (40th all time) with 1198 walks (53rd all time) 71 hit batsmen (233rd all time) 290 HRs allowed (70th all time) & a 2.134 strike out / walk ratio.
Retirement: In the late 1980's served as a minor league pitching coach for the Mets before retiring from baseball. In later years he enjoys fishing, taking care of his yard, card games, spending time with his grand children & dog.
1969 World Series Ball Trivia: Koosman had the original ball from the final out of the 1969 World Series locked away in a safe at his home until the 1990's before he sold it off.
Drama: In 2009 he was sentenced to six months' time for tax evasion & served some time.
Family: Jerry & his wife Lavonne, have three children together.
.JPG)
Back to Back Complete Games: On April 20th, he pitched a complete game victory over the Pirates at Shea Stadium, giving up two runs & walking no one.
On April 25th, he matched his season high 11 strike outs, pitching another complete game victory in San Diego.
On May 10th, Koosman got to 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA after beating the Cubs at Wrigley Field. In the 4th inning, he laid down a sac bunt that Padre pitcher Jim Kremmel mishandled allowing two runs to score, getting Kooz credit with his first RBI of the season.
From May 15th thru June 15th, Jerry would lose four of five decisions giving up 29 runs in 50.1 innings. In his next two starts he gave up six runs to the Cardinals in St. Louis with catcher Ted Simmons hitting two HRs off him, then five runs in a loss at Montreal where Ernie McAnally shut out New York 5-0 on a four hitter.
On June 9th, against the Astros, he gave up a season high seven earned runs, along with seven hits & four walks taking an 11-1 loss in Houston. His ERA was the highest he had had in two years at 3.73.
On June 25th at Wrigley Field, he had one of his his best outings of the season, pitching a one run four hitter, issuing no walks & striking out just one as his record went to 8-4.
After a no decision at Shea, he beat Jim Barr & the Giants in a 3-2 win at Shea Stadium. Rookie Dave Schneck led the offense with two RBIs & utility man Ted Martinez drove in the other run.
On July 25th Kooz & Jon Matlack led New York to a double header sweep in San Diego, leading to the All-Star break. Kooz pitched his eighth complete game in the 10-2 win getting him to 10-7 on the season, making it the sixth time in seven seasons he reached the mark.
1974 All Star Game: Yogi Berra was the NL Manager in that years All Star Game. Berra took his young pitcher Jon Matlack with him (8-6 & 2.55 ERA) as well as catcher Jerry Grote. At the All-Star break Koosman was 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA. Matlack was 9-7 with a 2.57 ERA. That year Tom Seaver was having issues with his mechanics & had one of his worst years.
Complete Game: On July 30th in the night cap of yet another twin bill at Shea, he earned his 11th win tossing his ninth complete game of the year beating Bruce Kison & the Pirates in another one run game 4-3. In the bottom of the 8th, Cleon Jones RBI double off Kison was the game winner.
In Pittsburgh he took no decision in a Mets extra inning loss then was beaten by the Reds at Shea Stadium giving up five runs in five innings. That year the Reds took nine of twelve games against the Mets getting some revenge after the NLCS loss.
On August 16th now in Cincinnati, Koosman allowed just a run over eight innings striking out six Reds, but got no decision in the 2-1 win. In the top of the 12th, Rusty Staub's RBI single off Will McEnaney was the game winner.
In his next two starts he earned back-to-back complete game victories beating the Astros in Houston & then at home to get his record to 13-8 with a 3.29 ERA & eleven complete games.
First on September 6th in St. Louis the Mets were shut out by Bob Forsch on a four hitter. On September 16th, he was out dueled 3-2 in Montreal by Mike Torrez. In that game he walked four batters making the eighth time he walked four or more batters in a game that season.
Win & Multi-Three Hit Game: On September 26th, Kooz earned his first win in almost a month, as he then beat the NL Eastern Champion Pirates in Pittsburgh for his 14th victory & 12th complete game. In the top of the 9th inning, he added an insurance run with an RBI double off Dave Giusti. Koosman has a season high multi-three hit game in his victory.
For 1974, Koosman went 15-11, leading the Mets staff in wins. He posted a 3.36 ERA with 13 complete games (7th in the NL) in 265 innings pitched (8th in the NL). Koosman collected 188 strikeouts (7th in the NL) & 85 walks in 35 starts.
Trivia: Starting in 1974 Koosman's strikeout totals would put him in MLB's top eight in that category, for the next seven seasons.
At the plate he hit .186 & drove in five runs, with three extra base hits.
.jpg)
But after the top three pitchers, the Mets starting staff struggled with George Stone, Randy Tate, Hank Webb & rookie Craig Swan going a combined 16-25.
The Mets added some offense that year acquiring slugger Dave Kingman, veteran Joe Torre & centerfielder Del Unser in the off season.
On April 11th, Koosman got his first start going eight innings in Pittsburgh, allowing three runs to the Pirates, earning no decision in the Mets 4-2 loss.
Complete Game: On April 22nd, he got his first win & first complete game of the year, striking out nine Cardinals at Shea Stadium. Seven of the nine Mets batters in the starting line up drove in at least one run in the 9-5 win.
On April 27th in Montreal Kooz gave up six runs in a no decision to the Expos. He would give up six or more runs six times in 36 starts.
Shut Out: On May 2nd at Shea Stadium, he tossed his first shut out of the year. It was a a four hit 3-0 shutout over Dave McNally & the Montreal Expos. Koosman struck out five & walked six in the game. In the bottom of the 2nd, he drove in the first run of the game with an RBI single scoring Jack Heidemann.
Complete Game: On May 14th, although he allowed a season high eight walks, he gave up just one run, in a five hit complete game victory, against the SF Giants at Shea Stadium.
He followed that up with a victory over Don Gullet & the Big Red Machine at Riverfront Stadium.In his next two starts, he then gave up five runs in each game taking losses in Atlanta to the Braves & at home to the Padres.
Complete Game Shut Out: On June 4th at Shea Stadium, he pitched a 1-0 five hit complete game shutout over the Astros. In the 1st inning, Ed Kranepool's RBI single was the only run of the game as Houston pitchers Doug Konieczny & Jim Crawford held the Mets down the rest of the way.
Three more losing decisions came in the month, where he gave up five or more runs each time as his ERA rose over four.
Complete Game: On June 24th at Shea, he earned his sixth victory of the year & his fifth complete game, with a one run five hitter over the Cardinals where he fanned seven & walked one.
On July 8th, he beat Carl Morton & the Braves in Atlanta, in a close 4-3 win. Cito Gaston & Earl Williams both homered off Koosman with Dave Kingman leading the Mets offense with a three run HR.
Before the All Star break he took a 3-2 loss to the Big Red Machine in Cincinnati with the Reds scoring all three runs in the 1st inning in another complete game. For the first half of the season, Koosman was 8-7 with a 3.60 ERA. The Mets were in third place 10.5 games out.
Plummers poor throw allowed Koosman to get to third base. He would then score on Wayne Garretts sac fly.
Koosman also struck out Bill Plummer twice on the night.
The Mets dugout got a big kick out of Koosmans first & only career steal. The next day, Tom Seaver presented Koosman with a phony "Lou Brock Award" before the game.
Tenth Win:.jpg)
On the next road trip, he took a loss in Chicago then earned his tenth win in Pittsburgh. On July 31st, Koosman pitched a complete game 6-2 win striking out six Pirates, The win gave him double figures in wins for the seventh time in eight years & was his ninth complete game of the year.
Tenth Win:
.jpg)
On the next road trip, he took a loss in Chicago then earned his tenth win in Pittsburgh. On July 31st, Koosman pitched a complete game 6-2 win striking out six Pirates, The win gave him double figures in wins for the seventh time in eight years & was his ninth complete game of the year.By August, the Mets were hanging on at the .500 mark and the team had lost respect for their manager, Yogi Berra. Back in the days of Gil Hodges there were one set of rules, his.
With Berra at the helm, if a mental error was made, he'd say "next time it will cost ya" usually it was forgotten about. By now the inmates were running the asylum.
That season there was a highly publicized battle with Cleon Jones who had refused to come in to a game to pitch hit. The incident led to Jones' release from the team. Two weeks later, Berra was also fired. Mets Coach, Roy McMillan became the interim manager through the rest of the year, as the team finished third at 82-80.
That season there was a highly publicized battle with Cleon Jones who had refused to come in to a game to pitch hit. The incident led to Jones' release from the team. Two weeks later, Berra was also fired. Mets Coach, Roy McMillan became the interim manager through the rest of the year, as the team finished third at 82-80.
By August 23rd, he was back in the starting rotation. That night Kooz struck out a season high 11 batters giving up just one run in eight innings of work at San Francisco but took a 2-1 loss to "the Count" John Montefusco (8 innings) & Gary Lavelle (one inning).
On August 28th in Los Angeles, he had his second straight double figure strike out game fanning ten Dodgers as he beat Rick Rhoden for his 11th win of the season to get him to .500.
.JPG)
Double Figures in Complete Games Again: It was his tenth complete game as reached double figures in that category for the third straight year & fifth time in his career. At the start of September, the Mets were just five games out of first place in a tight four team race.
Worst Start of Year: On September 2nd at Shea, Koosman was pounded by the first place Pirates for seven runs, including a season high three HRs from Bill Robinson, Manny Sanguillen & Rennie Stennett. It his worst outing of the year, lasting just 3.2 innings.
Next time out, the second place Cards beat him as well, as he gave up four runs dropping the Mets to 6.5 back.
On September 15th at Shea Stadium, he won a tight 3-2 victory over Steve Rogers & the Expos. It was his 13th win & got him to the .500 mark at 1-13.
By this time the Mets had fallen to ten games back & would finish third on the season.
On September 26th, Koosman would win his last decision, pitching 11 innings against the Phillies . The Mets won the game when Felix Millan doubled in two runs off former Met Tug McGraw in the top of the 11th.
On September 26th, Koosman would win his last decision, pitching 11 innings against the Phillies . The Mets won the game when Felix Millan doubled in two runs off former Met Tug McGraw in the top of the 11th.
1976- Twenty Win Season: Just before the start of the 1976 season, Koosman's father passed away.
Quotes- Jerry Koosman:"I felt the spirit of my dad was on my shoulder the whole year. My cadence count was in perfect rhythm the entire year. I was never ever able to reach that level of concentration again."
Jerry went on to have possibly the best season of his career.
The Mets started the year with a new manager, Joe Frazier who had been the clubs AAA Tidewater manager.
Quotes- Jerry Koosman: "Joe handed me the ball & said, take care of it. He put more responsibilities on the starters than Yogi did."
After a 1-1 April, he won all five of his May starts. From May 2nd to May 27th, he was 5-0 posting a 2.45 ERA.
On May 2nd although he gave up eleven hits & four runs he still earned the win over the Astros as the Mets won it 7-4. In that game he struck out nine, he would fan nine or more batters eight times on the season.
On May 7th, Kooz pitched a complete game win over the Padres at Shea Stadium striking out seven. His next three wins came on the road. On May 12th he pitched 8.2 innings with a win in Atlanta.
On May 22nd in Montreal, Kooz allowed just one run in eight innings, fanning six to get his fourth straight win. On May 27th, in Philadelphia he held the Phillies down to two runs but entered the 9th inning down 2-1 to Jim Katt. The Mets scored four runs on Wayne Garrett's three run bases clearing triple & Roy Staiger's double giving Kooz his fourth straight win.
From June 1st to June 21st, he had a rough time, suffering five straight losses. He would allow five runs or more three times posting a 8.28 in that time.
On the West Coast road trip, he gave up 11 runs & 16 hits in just seven innings of work. On June 6th, the Dodgers hit him up for six runs & ten hits in just two innings of work. Then five days later in San Francisco he gave up five runs as "The Count" John Montefusco shut the Mets out 5-0.
From July through the rest of the year, Koosman would go 14-4, with a 1.75 ERA striking out 141 batters & walking 36 in 154 innings pitched.
On July 2nd, Kooz pitched a three hit- one run 2-1 victory over the Cubs at Shea Stadium. He struck out 12 batters reaching double digits in K's for the first time that season.
On July 7th, he beat the Astros 12-4 even though he had given up ten hits benefiting from the Mets offensive put out. On July 11th, he even made a relief appearance before the All Star break. Halfway thru the season he was 9-6 with a .400 ERA, he would have a much better second half.
Eight Straight Complete Games: On July 15th, he started a streak of eight straight complete games winning seven of the eight games.
Eight Straight Complete Games: On July 15th, he started a streak of eight straight complete games winning seven of the eight games.
He followed up with with another one run, five hitter over the two time World Champion Big Red Machine. The Mets Ed Kranepool & rookie Mike Vail got two 1st inning runs off Gary Nolan in the 2-1 win.
After a loss in Montreal, he closed out July with a four hit 3-2 win over the Phillies at Shea Stadium in a 3-2 win to get to 12-7 on the year.
After a loss in Montreal, he closed out July with a four hit 3-2 win over the Phillies at Shea Stadium in a 3-2 win to get to 12-7 on the year.
From July 30th through August 21st, Kooz would allow just seven runs in 45 innings for a 1.40 ERA. He won five straight games going 5-0 with two shut outs & all five being complete games.
On the next West Coast road trip, Kooz continued his win streak with a one run, six hitter in San Diego, earning his 16th victory.
On August 27th, his win streak was broken by the Dodgers as Steve Garvey hit a two run HR & Steve Yeagar collected a two run double. Don Sutton pitched the complete game victory.
In September Jerry would win four straight complete games, adding two more shut outs to his season.
.JPG)
Three Hit Shut Out: On September 1st, he pitched a 1-0 three hit shut out over "the Count" John Montefusco who always pitched well against the Mets. Koosman walked just one in the game while striking out six. He lowered his ERA under three to 2.91. On September 6th, Jerry earned his 18th victory & struck out nine Cubs at Wrigley Field in a 7-4 win.
Two Hit-19th Victory: On September 11th in St. Louis, he pitched a two hit one run victory over the Cardinals to reach 19 wins matching his career high set back in his rookie year 1968.
20th Victory: On September 16th, at Shea Stadium a small crowd of just 7,820 on were on hand mainly due to the fact that it had rained all day long. Jerry had his wife & mother in attendance as well as he went for his 20th win of the season.
Trivia: The only run of the night for the Cards was on Keith Hernandez 8th inning solo HR.
In the game he struck out Joe Ferguson three times, Vic Harris, Mike Anderson, Hector Cruz & Keith Hernandez all twice & Ted Simmons & Mike Potter once each.
The win gave him his 20th of the season making him just the second Mets pitcher in franchise history to reach the milestone.
Quotes- Jerry Koosman: "This was the night I was waiting for. Sure I was nervous, the pressure has been building ever since I reached number 17 & people asked me constantly if I thought I could win twenty. I've got twenty now but I can't even think about Cy Young Award yet."In the clubhouse after the game, he sipped champagne with his family. The joyous event got him the front cover of the 1977 Mets yearbook.
Cy Young Runner Up: Koosman finished the year runner up to San Diego's Randy Jones for the Cy Young Award. Although many felt the award should have gone to Koosman. Kooz was 21-10 (2nd in the league in wins) striking out 200 batters (3rd in the league). His strikeout per nine inning ratio was second best in the league at 7.2.
Kooz posted a 2.69 ERA (4th best in the league) with 17 complete games (2nd in the league) & three shutouts. His ERA was his best posting since the 1969 Championship season. His 17 complete games matched his career high (1968).
As for Randy Jones, he was 22-14 with a 2.70 ERA pitching a league leading 315 innings & 25 complete games.
.jpg)
Mrs. Payson's daughter took over the teams ownership & let M. Donald Grant run the club. Grant had been with the club for many years but he was not changing with the times. Grant refused to pay the players the high salaries that the new times were bringing. He did not go after any players in free agency & wasn't willing to give big raised to his top players.
Quotes- Jerry Koosman: "We were not getting anu better. We were getting worse. Every GM in the league was taking advantage of us. We were comepteing in the National League with AA & AAA Players."
Koosman struggled with the bad ball club, falling to 8-20, tied with Phil Niekro for most losses in the league. His ERA was a still respectable at 3.42 and he still threw four shut outs and completed eleven games.
He pitched well at times but was not as dominating as the previous years. He allowed earned runs in all but two of his 32 starts, allowing just one earned run only four times that season.
He pitched well at times but was not as dominating as the previous years. He allowed earned runs in all but two of his 32 starts, allowing just one earned run only four times that season.
On April 19th, he got his first win, beating the Cardinals in St. Louis.
On May 12th, he struck out ten Padres but lost the game 5-2 to Tom Griffin & Rollie Fingers who recorded the save. Fingers was now in the NL after A's owner Charlie Finley sold off or traded all his star players, refusing to give into free agency like M. Donald Grant.
In his next start at Shea, he beat the Giants for the second time in the month, giving up just one run with the Mets supporting him with eight runs in the win.
On May 22nd, Kooz gave up a season high eight runs, including a three run HR to Johnny Bench in a 8-1 loss to Jack Billingham & the Reds in a double header split at Riverfront Stadium. In June he won two of three starts with another loss to the Reds in-between the two.
player & biggest star. It was a sad day for everyone from the players to the fans. It was especially sad for Kooz who had been with Seaver since the start of their careers, with the two being the Mets top two pitchers.
Quotes- Jerry Koosman: "It was a tough thing to see happen. We we're in Atlanta & there were lots of tears shed.
Koosman would finish the first half of the year at 7-11 with a good 3.13 ERA.
13 K Game: On July 13th, Kooz struck out a season high 13 batters in a 5-2 loss to the Cubs at Shea. It was his third & last double digit K game of the year.
From August 1st thru September 8th, Kooz lost eight straight games, a career worst. He gave up 28 runs in 53 innings with a 4.75 ERA. Thru the end of the season, Koosman would go 0-9 from August 2nd.
On August 17th, in another decent outing he suffered from no run support again as he gave up just two earned runs, but the Mets were shut out by St. Louis' Bob Forsch.
21, 265 came out to Shea Stadium on this sunny Sunday afternoon, as Seaver beat Kooz & the Mets 5-1. In two plate appearances, the right hand hitting Koosman struck out once facing Seaver.
On August 26th in Atlanta, Kooz gave up a season high three HRs, to Jeff Buroughs, Gary Mathews & Junior Moore. He got knocked out of the game in the 3rd inning, after allowing five runs.
On September 10th in Chicago, he gave up just two runs but earned no decision in the 7-2 win. That year the Mets finished in last place at 64-98. They would finish last or fifth for seven straight years.
Kooz finished up 8-20 in 32 starts striking out 192 batters, walking 81 in 226 innings pitched. That year his strike outs per nine innings (7.624) was the best in the league. The Final Mets Season: In 1978 Koosman became the first Mets pitcher in a decade, who wasn't Tom Seaver, to make an Opening Day start.
On Opening Day 1978 Koosman beat the Montreal Expos at Shea Stadium 3-1 with Gary Carter hitting a HR for the only Expo run. Koosman struck out seven batters in the Mets 3-1 win.
He lost three straight decisions from there, but earned a win on May 4th in Atlanta.
On July 13th, he broke the losing streak, beating the Reds 4-2 in Cincinnati. It was to be his final win in a Mets uniform.
From July 18th thru September 5th Koosman would lose six straight decisions. But in that time he gave up 35 runs in 83 innings good enough for a 2.90 ERA. The bad offense continued to hurt him.
On September 20th, he made a relief appearance & collected his first save of the season. It was his fourth career save as well. On September 29th he earned his second save coming in the 10th inning in an extra inning win at Wrigley Field.
He finished the year making five relief appearances. On September 30th, Koosman finished off a 7-5 Mets loss in Chicago, it was his last game in a Mets uniform.
The Mets finished last that year 66-96 under manager Joe Torre. Koosman was one of the final players left since the miracle of 1969 & the pennant of 1973.
Koosman saw no signs of improvement for the team in the near future, he became very unhappy & demanded to be traded. His wishes came through and he was dealt to his home state of Minnesota to pitch for the Twins in 1979.
Trivia: Interestingly the Mets received another pitcher in that trade who would also collect a final out in a World Series just as Koosman had done for them. It would not come for another seven years (1986) but that youngster was Jesse Orosco.
Trivia: Interestingly the Mets received another pitcher in that trade who would also collect a final out in a World Series just as Koosman had done for them. It would not come for another seven years (1986) but that youngster was Jesse Orosco.
On April 10th, in Anaheim California, be pitched eight innings, allowing just one run beating Frank Tanana 8-1. Koosman started out the year at 7-0 not taking a loss until late May.
From May 22nd thru June 17th, he lost six straight decisions giving up 24 runs in 46 innings. He rebounded to win four straight games including the White Sox twice to get to 11-6. His streakiness continued, losing four straight at the end of July. Then in August he won six straight games posting a 1.26 ERA giving up just seven earned runs in 50 innings.
Return to New York: Koosman had made his return to New York pitching against the AL NY team taking a loss in June. On August 17th he beat Jim Beattie in a 5-2 complete game win, his sixth complete game of the year. On August 25th he allowed just one run beating the AL New York team for the second time, earning his 17th win of the year.
Twenty Game Winner: On September 30th, in the final game of the year, he pitched his second shut out of the season. Jerry beat the Milwaukee Brewers at home to earn his 20th win of the year. He was now a two time twenty game winner.
For 1979, back in his home state of Minnesota did Koosman good, he went 20-13 (3rd most wins in the AL). He posted a 3.38 ERA (8th in the AL) with 157 strikeouts (5th in the league) with two shutouts & ten complete games. He was sixth overall in the Cy Young voting.
1980: Kooz now 37 years old, came back for another season with the Twins. He won 16 (10th best in the league) going 16-13 reaching double digits in wins for the tenth time in his career. The 16 wins were his fifth highest total in his career. He pitched 243 innings passing the 200 inning mark for the eighth straight season.
He posted 149 strikeouts & 69 walks in 243 innings pitched. He would collect eight complete games & collect two more saves out of the bullpen. He also gave up a career high 109 earned runs & 119 runs.
1981: In 1981, he began the year in Minnesota falling to 3-9 with an ERA over four. That summer the Players went n strike & when play resumed Koosman was soon traded to the Chicago White sox. He would go 1-4 the rest of the way in Chicago for the third place Sox.
In 1983, he collected 11 wins, fourth most on the staff featuring two twenty game winners in Lamarr Hoytt & Richard Dotson. Kooz had actually began the year in the bullpen, collecting a save & a win before getting into the rotation in by late May.
Shut Out: On June 3rd, he pitched his 31st career shut out, a three hit 2-0 win over the Royals at Comiskey Park.
At the All Star break, the 40 year old Koosman was 7-2 having been a pleasant surprise for the Chi-Sox. By late September, he was being used out of the bullpen where he earned two saves, reaching 17 in his career. In the final 11 games of the regular season, Jerry collected a win, a save & two holds.
The White Sox won the division by 19 games reaching their first post season since 1959. It was Koosman's first post season since 1973, a decade earlier.
1983 Post Season: In the ALCS loss to the Baltimore Orioles, he made one appearance in Game #3 coming on in the 9th inning. He recorded just one out, issuing two walks 7 a double before being relieved by Dennis Lamp. Koosman was charged with all three runs s coring.
Return to the NL: In February 1984 he was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies as a player to be named later.
Return to Shea Stadium: He made his return to Shea Stadium on
April 29, 1984 pitching against the New York Mets who were now contenders once again in a new era. It was "Strawberry Sundae" as fans received free ice cream as the team honored, Rookie of the Year Darryl Strawberry.
He also was called for a balk allowing a run to score, as he took the loss to Walt Terrell allowing four runs, on seven hits, pitching into the 6th inning.
He came back in June, this time beating the Mets & Ed Lynch 6-4, pitching seven innings. He then took another loss against the Mets at the end of the season.
In 1984 at age 41, Koosman was still effective. He went 14-15 (5th most losses in the NL) with 137 strike outs & a 3.25 ERA. He still had one more season in him, in 1985 he went 6-4 before retiring, at the age of 42.
Mets All Time Leader Board: Koosman is third all time in Mets wins (140) & first overall for left handers. He is also first in losses (137).
Kooz is second in starts (346) innings pitched (2544) and complete games (108). He is tied for second in shutouts (26).
Jerry is third in strike outs (1799) fifth in appearances (376) & sixth with a 3.09 ERA (min. 500 innings).
Honors: Jerry Koosman was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1989.
Retire #36: In 2019 it was finally announced that Koosman's uniform number 36 was to be retired by the Mets. Although all ceremonies were postponed in 2020 due to the horrible Covid19 pandemic the event was moved ahead to the following season.
Honors: Koosman attended the closing ceremonies of Shea Stadium in 2008.
Koosman was on hand for the 40th & 50th Anniversaries of the 1969 Mets Championship team at Citi Field.
He also attended many functions that honored the 1969 Mets & the 1973 NL Champs.
.jpg)
Career Stats: Overall, in his nineteen-year career he is at #78 on the all-time win list with a 222-209 record (37th all time in losses).
.jpg)
Koos made 527 starts (40th all time) with 1198 walks (53rd all time) 71 hit batsmen (233rd all time) 290 HRs allowed (70th all time) & a 2.134 strike out / walk ratio.
Retirement: In the late 1980's served as a minor league pitching coach for the Mets before retiring from baseball. In later years he enjoys fishing, taking care of his yard, card games, spending time with his grand children & dog.
Drama: In 2009 he was sentenced to six months' time for tax evasion & served some time.
Family: Jerry & his wife Lavonne, have three children together.
.JPG)