A native of Minnesota, Koosman was signed by the Mets in 1964 while pitching for the Army at Fort Bliss. His catcher was John Luchese whose father worked as an usher at Shea Stadium and alerted his father of his Army buddy's talent.
Koosman would make his MLB debut with the Mets during the 1967 season pitching in 9 games. But his breakthrough would come the following year when Koosman finished up runner up in NL Rookie of the Year balloting to Cincinnati Reds legend Johnny Bench. Koosman went 19-12 with a 2.08 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 263.2 innings pitched in 35 appearances (34 of them starts along with 17 complete games including 7 shutouts) earning a NL All-Star Game selection.
The Mets now had a one-two punch at the top of their starting rotation with Koosman being a strong number two starter to their ace Tom Seaver and things would only get better in 1969. Of course, 1969 was the year of the Amazin' Mets going all the way to win the World Series. That season, Koosman went 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA with 180 strikeouts in 241 innings pitched over 32 starts with 16 complete games including 6 shutouts and a second consecutive NL All-Star Team appearance. Koosman was the winning pitcher in both Game 2 and the clinching Game 5 of the World Series against the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles.
Koosman was also a critical member of the 1973 "Ya Gotta Believe" Mets who managed to go from last place to first place in the NL East in the final month of the season. From there, they upset the heavily favored Big Red Machine in the NLCS before taking the defending World Series champion Oakland A's to 7 games. Although Koosman had a losing 14-15 record during the '73 season, his ERA was a sterling 2.84. Koosman would earn a complete game win in Game 3 of the '73 NLCS and would also combine with Tug McGraw on a 3-hit shutout in Game 5 of the World Series.
In 1976, Koosman would have his finest individual season in a Mets uniform when he earned a career high 21 wins with a 2.69 ERA, matched his career high of 17 complete games and a career best 200 strikeouts. Koosman would finish runner up to San Diego Padres ace Randy Jones in NL Cy Young balloting that season.
But how fortunes can fall. In 1977, Koosman went from being a 20-game winner to a 20-game loser. In a season which saw Tom Seaver traded to the Reds, Koosman went 8-20 albeit with a decent 3.49 ERA. Still, he tied with future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro for the most losses in the NL that season. Things didn't get better in 1978 as he fell to 3-15. While his 3.75 ERA wasn't bad, Koosman would be sent to the bullpen late that season for the first time in his career.
Koosman needed a change of scenery and threatened to retire unless he was traded to the Minnesota Twins. As it turned out, home cooking was exactly what the doctor ordered. In 1979, a rejuvenated Koosman went 20-13 with a 3.38 in 37 appearances (36 starts with 10 complete games and a pair of shutouts). Koosman finished sixth in AL Cy Young balloting. He would follow that up with a 16-win campaign in 1980.
By 1981, Koosman would have a falling out with the Twins as he was the team's player rep during that year's players' strike. After the strike ended, Twins owner Calvin Griffith traded Koosman to the Chicago White Sox for virtually nothing in return. Koosman's 13 losses were enough to be AL leader in that unfortunate category.
The trade which saw Koosman go to Minnesota would have long term implications for the Mets as one of the players acquired in that deal was a young Jesse Orosco who nearly 8 years later would be on the mound to get the final out for the 1986 World Series championship team. Orosco would have a distinguished 24-year MLB career and leads pitchers in all-time appearances with 1252.
Koosman would spend 1982 and 1983 as Tony LaRussa's swing man for the Chisox. He would taste post-season glory for the last time in 1983 when the White Sox won the AL West. Unfortunately, in his only appearance in Game 3 of the ALCS he would give up two runs in only a third of an inning against the eventual World Series champion Baltimore Orioles.
Koosman's final big-league stop was with the Philadelphia Phillies where he pitched in 1984 and 1985. Although now over 40, Koosman had a serviceable season in 1984 going 14-15 with a 3.25 ERA logging 224 innings in 36 appearances (including 34 starts and even managed 3 complete games).
In 19 MLB seasons, Koosman went 222-209 with a 3.36 ERA in 612 appearances (including 527 starts). In 3839.1 innings pitched, Koosman struck out 2556 batters, recorded 140 complete games with 33 of them resulting in shutouts.
Koosman is the greatest left-handed pitcher in New York Mets history. His 140 wins in a Mets uniform is still 3rd best in franchise history behind only Dwight Gooden (157) and Tom Seaver (198). Koosman is also 3rd in strikeouts in Mets history with 1799 behind both Gooden (1875) and Seaver (2541). Koosman's 26 shutouts with the Mets are tied for second with Jon Matlack with Seaver on top with 44.
Koosman is also among the greatest southpaws in MLB history. His 222 wins is 19th in MLB history, one behind future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. Koosman's 2556 career strikeouts ranks him 12th among lefty pitchers.
Unfortunately, Koosman would get on the wrong side of the law when he spent time in federal prison for tax evasion in 2009 and 2010. He would admit that he was "suckered" in by anti-tax rhetoric and would pay the price for it.
However, one bad act does not negate a good career and an otherwise good life. Jerry Koosman will forever be part of New York Mets lore. R.I.P.
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