Jerry Koosman

Jerome Martin Koosman (born December 23, 1942) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball between 1967 and 1985. Over his career he pitched for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. He is best known as a member of the Miracle Mets team that won the 1969 World Series.

Koosman was discovered by John Lucchese, the son of a Shea Stadium usher, who caught him while he pitched in the United States Army at Fort Bliss, Texas. The Mets offered him a contract following his discharge from the military. He was nearly cut from the organization in 1966, but Joe McDonald, the assistant farm director, requested that he be retained at least until his first payday, as Koosman owed the Mets money they had wired him after his car broke down en route to spring training.

After leading all International League pitchers in strikeouts in 1967, Koosman broke into the Mets' rotation in 1968. That season he posted a 19–12 record with seven shutouts, 178 strikeouts, and a 2.08 earned run average. His win, shutout, and ERA totals set franchise records, breaking the marks established by teammate Tom Seaver the year before.