The New York Mets are expected to announce the official date for Jerry Koosman’s number retirement ceremony this Thursday.
Koosman, who was elected by the fan base to the first class of the Mets Rewind Hall of Fame, played 12 seasons for New York (1967-1978) compiling a win-loss record of 140-137 and 3.09 ERA. Koosman was a two-time 20-game winner; once with the Mets (1976) and the second time as a member of the Minnesota Twins (1979).
A member of the 1969 World Series championship team and 1973 National League title team, Koosman won Game 2 and Game 5 of the ’69 Series including a complete game in the Series clincher. He was a combined 4-0 in the postseason as a member of the Mets.
The Mets announced Koosman’s number would be retired last September saying:
“The excitement of playing for the Mets when we won the 1969 World Series was an experience I never thought I’d be able to repeat. But the news that the Mets Hall of Fame Committee has voted to retire my number is another life-changing thrill and honor.”
Koosman ranks second in franchise history behind Seaver in starts (346), complete games (108), innings pitched (2,544.2) and shutouts (26), third behind Seaver and Dwight Gooden in strikeouts (1,799) and sixth in ERA (3.09).
UPDATE
The New York Mets made it official today: Jerry Koosman’s number No. 36 will be retired on Saturday, June 13 during a pre-game ceremony prior to the 4:10 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals.
Koosman joins Tom Seaver (41) and Mike Piazza (31) as one of three Mets players to have their numbers retired. The franchise also retired two managers numbers — Gil Hodges (14) and Casey Stengel’s (37).
Koosman told the media in a statement:
“The excitement of playing for the Mets when we won the 1969 World Series was an experience I never thought I’d be able to repeat … I’m enormously proud of the time I played in the orange and blue uniform of the Mets. It was privilege to play alongside some of the most wonderful and talented teammates for more than 11 years and to hone my craft under Gil Hodges. This honor isn’t only for me and my family, it’s for the legions of fans I grew to love. To know that my number will be retired and sit alongside other legends is one of the greatest tributes I could ever be granted. I was always proud to be a Met.”
