Jerry Koosman, 1969 Miracle Mets World Series Pitcher, Dies at 83

The New York Mets announced on Sunday that Jerry Koosman, a beloved left-handed pitcher and key figure on the franchise's legendary 1969 World Series championship team, died at age 83 after battling multiple illnesses. The Minnesota native was an integral part of the Mets' pitching rotation during their improbable championship run, winning Game 2 of the 1969 World Series against the Baltimore Orioles and clinching the title with a complete nine-inning performance in Game 5. He earned back-to-back All-Star selections in 1968 and 1969, and in 1976 finished as runner-up for the National League Cy Young Award — behind the Padres' Randy Jones — posting a 21-10 record with a 2.69 ERA. Over 12 seasons in New York, he compiled a 140-137 record and a 3.09 ERA. His career totals across 19 major-league seasons reached 222 wins and 2,556 strikeouts. The Mets retired his No. 36 during the 2021 season, and he had been inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame in 1989.