Jerry Koosman Autograph - 40 Yrs Since 1969 Mets

On any other team, Jerry Koosman would have been that team's ace pitcher in 1969. Cool Hand Kooz finished 17-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 16 complete games! Koosman and Seaver may be the two biggest reasons the Amazin' Mets made it to the 1969 World Series.

In the 1969 World Series, Koosman came within 1 out of having a complete game victory in Game 2. Koosman went 8 2/3 and only gave up 2 hits. Koosman also won the Game 5 series clinching game at Shea Stadium. In Game 5, Koosman went the distance giving up 3 earned runs in 9 innings to close out the series. His pitching performance in the 1969 World Series may be the most underrated in the history of the series: 17 2/3 innings, 4 earned runs, 1 CG, and only 7 hits allowed!

Jerry Koosman won 140 games and averaged 9 complete games a season with the Mets from 1967-1978. He bounced around with Minn., the White Sox, and Phillies after his tenure in Queens.

Koosman trivia: Jerry Koosman gave up Pete Rose's 4,000th career hit.

My meeting with Jerry Koosman last year was . . . a little gross. I blogged about it last year.

My 40 Yrs Since the 1969 Mets celebration continues this week.