NEW YORK – With Jerry Koosman on the mound, it was never too late for the 1969 New York Mets.
More than five decades later, the franchise rewarded the leftist with its highest distinction.
Koosman became the fifth player or coach to pick up the Mets jersey Saturday night, with his number 36 revealed alongside banners in honor of Mike Piazza, Tom Seaver, Gil Hodges and Casey Stengel.
“I was humbly grateful that they thought much of me would withdraw my number,” Koosman said. “I know I’m joining a big crew that has already withdrawn their numbers.”
Koosman, 78, was due to be honored last season, but the ceremony was postponed due to the pandemic. Instead, he was greeted by “Kooz!” singing on a cool night in Queens before Saturday’s game against Washington.
Its number 36 was published throughout the Citi field, including the pitcher mound and the local apple in the center. The iconic photo of him jumping into the arms of catcher Jerry Grote after the 1969 World Series final was superimposed on his number 36 on the video board.
Koosman was joined by 11 family members, including his four grandchildren, as well as former teammates Wayne Garrett, Ed Kranepool and Art Shamsky. Piazza, whose number 31 was the previous number retired by the Mets in 2016, was the last to speak before Koosman’s number was revealed in the stands of the third base line.
“Jerry, welcome home,” Piazza said. “This is your home and this is your family.”
Koosman and his close friend Seaver debuted with the Mets in 1967 and quickly helped turn the ridiculous franchise into a World Series champion.
The pair joined 11-1 with a 1.63 ERA and 11 complete games in 14 starts in September 1969, as the Mets scored 24-8 to make up for a 4½ game deficit in the NL East and win the division into eight matches.
Koosman gave up six games against the Atlanta Braves in his only start to the National League of National Championships before winning both rounds of the World Series against the Baltimore Orioles. After the evening of the series, throwing eight 2/3 innings in the second game, the left-hander threw five players to Game 5 qualifiers to end the Mets ’worst miraculous promotion, who never lost less than 89 games. in his first seven seasons.
“There’s the old saying: a good throw makes a good shot,” Koosman said. “So that was what happened and our release was done with relief.”
Seaver withdrew his number from the Mets in 1988, but plans to do the same for Koosman were not announced until September 2019. Seaver died on August 31, 2020 due to complications from Lewy body dementia. and COVID-19.
Koosman pitched 12 seasons for the Mets, finishing second in full games (108), third in wins (140) and outings (1,799) and sixth in ERA (3.09).
He nearly helped the Mets to another unlikely championship in 1973, when New York rose from last place in late August to the 7th game in the World Series against the dynastic Oakland Athletics. Koosman was 2-0 with a 3.55 ERA in three postseason starts.
“It’s safe to say that in 60 years, the Mets have never had a better pitcher than Jerry Koosman,” said Howie Rose, a man who played on the radio during Saturday’s ceremony.