#697-698 In Action Jerry Koosman

"Kooz"...Left handed hero of the 1969 postseason…Born in small western Minnesota town of Appleton …Moved to Morris, Mn where he went to high school and played for the local U of Mn extension….Path to majors nothing of a miracle...Was discovered while he was in military service...How Koosman avoided getting released in the low minor league story is stuff of NY Mets legend (see SABR profile)…Strong AAA season in 1967 prompted call up…Complement to Tom Seaver in NY Met’s ascendancy from obscurity …Started great gathering 19 wins with a 2.08 ERA exceeding Tom Terrific on both counts….2^nd in ROY and made all star team….1969 was a strong follow up (17-9, 2.28 ERA) nearly identical in many pitching categories…Notched first Met WS win and the deciding game 5….Entered into periodic mediocrity…1970 to 1972 result in sub .500 win pct with an ERAs over 3.00 and diminished innings…His career then becomes a series of resurrections…Averages 14 wins over 1973-75…Obtained a career high 21 wins in 1976…success did not carry over and went 11-36 over his last two years as a Met…Poor team performance brought a personal demand for a change of scenery...Traded to the home state Twins in 1979 and was rejuvenated with 20 wins on a team gutted by free agency departures… team that exceeded expectations…follow up next season with 16 wins but the ERA climbed over 4.00…Poor start in ’81 prompted trade to ChiSox…had identical 11-7 records over the next two campaigns…In 1984 traded Phillies for Ron Reed…responded strong with a 14 win season and lowest ERA since 1973…hung up cleats in 1985…222 career wins and 4-0 postseason W-L record...like many Minnesotans enjoys ice fishing in the winter. 

In Action shot: Non descript..."Kooz" in mid-windup...could one of thousands of pitches he made...backside the right side of Tony Oliva face.