Jerry Koosman, the legendary New York Mets pitcher who helped deliver one of the most stunning World Series victories in baseball history, has died at 83 following a lengthy battle with multiple illnesses.
The two-time All-Star died Sunday, November 1, at his home in Osceola, Wisconsin, surrounded by his children. According to Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz, Koosman had been battling health problems for about a year before his death.
The Mets announced the heartbreaking news on social media, expressing their condolences to his family and honoring the pitcher who helped transform the struggling franchise into World Series champions.
Koosman will forever be remembered as a driving force behind the 1969 “Miracle Mets,” a team that shocked the baseball world by defeating the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles. Just seven years after joining Major League Baseball as an expansion franchise, New York captured its first championship, with Koosman delivering two of the biggest performances of the series.
After the Mets lost Game 1, Koosman pitched brilliantly in Game 2, holding Baltimore without a hit until the seventh inning and helping secure a crucial 2-1 victory. He returned for the decisive Game 5, throwing a complete game to seal the championship.
The unforgettable image of Koosman leaping into catcher Jerry Grote’s arms after recording the final out remains one of the most celebrated moments in Mets history.
Born December 23, 1942, in Appleton, Minnesota, Koosman took an unusual path to the major leagues. The Mets discovered him while he was serving in the U.S. Army, eventually signing him for just $1,600 in 1964.
He made his major league debut in 1967 and soon formed a formidable pitching partnership with future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Together, they helped turn a franchise once known for losing into one of baseball’s most memorable championship teams.
Over a remarkable 19-year career, Koosman also pitched for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies. He retired following the 1985 season with 222 victories, 2,556 strikeouts and a 3.36 earned run average.
His accomplishments earned him induction into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1989, and the franchise retired his No. 36 jersey in 2021.
Despite those impressive statistics, it was Koosman’s toughness, competitive spirit and unforgettable postseason performances that made him a beloved figure among generations of Mets fans.
His death marks another painful loss for the legendary 1969 championship team, which also lost Seaver in 2020 and Grote in 2024.