OT: Jerry Koosman, Miracle Mets hero, dead at 83

[MtNittany]

Koosman started Games 2 and 5 of the World Series and was the winning pitcher in both. In Game 2, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, eventually allowing one earned run over eight innings.

In Game 5 (the clincher at Shea Stadium), he pitched a complete game and allowed three earned runs in the 5-3 victory.

 

[LionJim]

I must have watched 120 games of the 1969 Mets season, on New York WPIX, I was twelve. Such a great season. It helped the Mets that Leo Durocher managed the Cubs out of contention, a terrible job he did.

 

[Shep]

One of the heroes of my youth, as I am a lifelong Mets fan. I was fortunate to have dinner with Ed Kranepool (former Met) and he loved Koosman. He said Jerry protected all the Mets hitters in an era where headhunting was common.

 

[MtNittany]

I must have watched 120 games of the 1969 Mets season, on New York WPIX, I was twelve. Such a great season. It helped the Mets that Leo Durocher managed the Cubs out of contention, a terrible job he did.

I thought WPIX was Yankees and WOR was Mets. Maybe I'm misremembering.

 

[LionJim]

I thought WPIX was Yankees and WOR was Mets. Maybe I'm misremembering.

Lemme check.

 

[MtNittany]

 

[LionJim]

I thought WPIX was Yankees and WOR was Mets. Maybe I'm misremembering.

lol, the Mets played on Channel 9, which is why I said WPIX. Yes, you are correct, WOR was Mets.

 

[LionJim]

I must have watched 120 games of the 1969 Mets season, on New York WPIX, I was twelve. Such a great season. It helped the Mets that Leo Durocher managed the Cubs out of contention, a terrible job he did.

I found this.

If Gil Hodges Managed the Cubs and Leo Durocher the Mets in 1969, Whose “Miracle” Would it Have Been? – Society for American Baseball Research

sabr.org

 

[LionJim]

I watched Seaver’s near perfect game too. Jimmy Quallis got an hit after 25 men up, 25 men down. Agee charged like a crazed man trying to get it, God bless him. Agee was a phenomenal center fielder good gracious me.

Gotta go to the gym, else I’ll be posting in this thread for the next forty minutes, can’t have that. Be well, y’all.

 

[MtNittany]

lol, the Mets played on Channel 9, which is why I said WPIX. Yes, you are correct, WOR was Mets.

Both the Mets and Colt 45's wanted to sign my Dad in the expansion draft, but at the last minute the Giants put him on the protected list.

 

[RochLion]

I thought WPIX was Yankees and WOR was Mets. Maybe I'm misremembering.

Yep, WWOR was the Mets. As well as WWF wrestling on Saturdays at midnight! One of the few NYC stations our roof-top antenna could barely receive LOL.

 

[LionJim]

Delete, ffs.

 

[LionJim]

Yep, WWOR was the Mets. As well as WWF wrestling on Saturdays at midnight! One of the few NYC stations our roof-top antenna could barely receive LOL.

Yeah, I didn’t get the best reception in Levittown but it was good enough.

 

[MtNittany]

WPIX had the Honeymooners every weeknight at 11.

 

[NEPA Lion]

What a pitching staff.

 

[LionJim]

Both the Mets and Colt 45's wanted to sign my Dad in the expansion draft, but at the last minute the Giants put him on the protected list.

Your dad played with some all-time greats. Attention must be paid.

 

[LionJim]

WPIX had the Honeymooners every weeknight at 11.

Audrey Meadows was an actress who was alltime easy to lipread. Yes I spent countless hours watching sitcoms without captions, ffs what a maroon. To think I could instead have been working on calculus, makes me want to cry.

 

[YonkersLion]

I thought WPIX was Yankees and WOR was Mets. Maybe I'm misremembering.

Yes That is correct! Ralph Kiner, Lindsey Nelson, and Bob Murphy did Mets broadcasts on WOR Channel 9 Frank Messer, Bill White, and Phil Rizzuto did the Yankees on WPIX Ch !! And there was Kiner's Korner! Great memories!!

 

[LionJim]

Yes That is correct! Ralph Kiner, Lindsey Nelson, and Bob Murphy did Mets broadcasts on WOR Channel 9 Frank Messer, Bill White, and Phil Rizzuto did the Yankees on WPIX Ch !! And there was Kiner's Korner! Great memories!!

Yes, a magical year, 1969. Can’t be topped, I’ve never seen its equal.

 

[LionJim]

What a pitching staff.View attachment 1513490

Gentry > Ryan in 1969. Nolan was just starting out, wild as hell, the original Nuke LaLoosh.

 

[LionJim]

lol thinking of the black cat walking past the Cubs dugout at Shea. A surreal experience, the Cubs were shellshocked, just standing there stunned.

Edit: it gets better: it stared down Durocher, lmao.

Google Search

 

[Nits74]

Mid and late 60's were overall the best era of pitching I can remember. Didn't that ultimately lead to the DH (something I still don't care for)

 

[creamery freak]

I watched Seaver’s near perfect game too. Jimmy Quallis got an hit after 25 men up, 25 men down. Agee charged like a crazed man trying to get it, God bless him. Agee was a phenomenal center fielder good gracious me.

Gotta go to the gym, else I’ll be posting in this thread for the next forty minutes, can’t have that. Be well, y’all.

Funny story. My father was a big Mets and we were watching a Mets game when instant replay was a new thing. Tommy Agee made a phenomenal diving catch for an out. They showed the replay about 20 seconds later and my Mom yelled " Oh my gosh he did it again"! We got many chuckles from that.

 

[BVSt.Paul]

Koosman was a childhood hero. Loved the 69’ team and also watched a ton of games on WOR. I was 11. My dad got tix during the pennant drive. Not only did the Mets lose but they got no hit by Bob Moose and the Pirates. That was something to see.

 

[Missileer]

Borderline Hall of Fame resume. Pitched in Seaver’s shadow most of his career. Had a much better post season record than Seaver. Won two games in the ‘69 Series. Pitching on a rancid Mets team in ‘77 and ‘78 killed his resume. Fun fact: Lost the 1968 NL Rookie of the Year vote by one vote…to Johnny Bench!! Kooz was a much, much better pitcher than people realize.

 

[LionJim]

Koosman was a childhood hero. Loved the 69’ team and also watched a ton of games on WOR. I was 11. My dad got tix during the pennant drive. Not only did the Mets lose but they got no hit by Bob Moose and the Pirates. That was something to see.

I gotta check: how many World Series champions were no-hit during their regular season?

I remember that Moose no-hitter, did not catch it on the tube.

 

[laKavosiey-st lion]

Math says lion Jim is 74

 

[LionJim]

Math says lion Jim is 74

C’mon Rick, baby, I was 12 in 1969. Deep breaths, focus.