Jerry Koosman, who closed the 1969 World Series, has died

Jerry Koosman died Sunday in Osceola, Wisconsin, at the age of 83. The former Major League Baseball pitcher is best known for recording the final out of the New York Mets' 1969 World Series victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

Mets spokesman Jay Horwitz stated that Koosman had been ill for approximately one year before his death. He died of multiple illnesses while surrounded by his children in Wisconsin.

Koosman compiled a career record of 222 wins and 209 losses with a 3.36 earned run average over 19 seasons in the major leagues. He threw 140 complete games, including 33 shutouts, and finished with at least 20 wins in two separate years. His arsenal relied primarily on fastballs and curveballs.

He spent the majority of his career with the Mets, going 140-137 with a 3.09 ERA from 1967 to 1978. He later pitched for the Minnesota Twins, the Chicago White Sox, and the Philadelphia Phillies before retiring.

The Mets became the first expansion franchise in the National League to win a championship in 1969. They finished the regular season with a 100-62 record, leading the newly formed National League East. Koosman was the team's second starter behind Tom Seaver that year, posting a 17-9 record and a 2.28 ERA in 32 starts.

During the World Series, Koosman won Game 2 after Baltimore defeated Seaver in the opener. He allowed one run over 8 2/3 innings in a 2-1 victory. In Game 5, he pitched a five-hitter, retiring Davey Johnson on a flyout to Cleon Jones to end the series at Shea Stadium.

Koosman was born in Appleton, Minnesota, on December 23, 1942. He played baseball while serving in the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Mets signed him on August 27, 1964, for $1,600, after his catcher in the Army, John Luchese, tipped off the front office.

He made his major league debut in 1967 and became a full-time starter in 1968. That year, he went 19-12 with a 2.08 ERA and finished second to Johnny Bench for the National League Rookie of the Year award. He was named an All-Star in 1968 and 1969.

Koosman remained with the Mets until the end of the 1978 season. He then told the team he would retire unless they traded him. The Mets dealt him to the Twins in December 1978. He was traded again to the White Sox in August 1981 and to the Phillies in February 1984.

He is survived by his sons, Michael and Shawn, and his daughter, Danielle. His marriage to LaVonne Sorum ended in divorce. The Mets retired his number 36 in 2021.