centerfield maz

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...

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. In 1962 Jerry was drafted into the army but there was no baseball team where he was stationed. Lucky enough his dentist, who was a general in the same unit helped him 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. While stationed at Fort Bliss. Koosman formed a friendship with a guy named  John Luchese  who was from Queens, New York. His father was an usher at the new Shea Stadium, home of the Mets. Luchese wrote to his dad telling him the Mets team should check this Koosman guy out, he could sure throw a baseball. The reference worked, as the team sent scouts to watch Koosman pitch, they soon offered him a contract. Quotes- Jerry Koosman:  “It seemed ev...