NY Mets: Jerry Koosman had an all-time great World Series in 1969

Although it was Donn Clendenon who took home the 1969 World Series MVP Award for the New York Mets, I’m not quite sure he was the guy with the most impressive statistics. It was Jerry Koosman, often overlooked because of the all-time great career of Tom Seaver, who may have had the best series of anyone.

Where Clendenon was clutch at the plate, Koosman was ace on the mound.

The Mets got an all-time great World Series performance from Jerry Koosman in 1969

After a dud start in the NLCS against the Atlanta Braves that did eventually turn into a win, the first player in Mets history to win a World Series Game was Koosman.

Following a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Orioles, Koosman got the call to start Game 2. He nearly went the distance. With a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth thanks to an RBI single by Al Weis in the top of the frame, Koosman retired the first two batters he faced.

Then trouble struck. He walked Frank Robinson then did the same to Boog Powell. Suddenly, the Mets’ one-run lead was in jeopardy.

Gil Hodges called upon Ron Taylor to finish off the game. Future Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson would ground out to third base and complete the game.

Days later, Koosman would get his second start of the World Series. In the Game 5 clincher, Koosman went all nine innings while giving up three earned runs.

The totals between these two starts are outstanding for any era. Koosman pitched 17.2 innings with a 0.62 WHIP. His ERA was just 2.04. More important than anything else, he was 2-0.

This wasn’t the end of Koosman’s postseason glory with the Mets. He would win his next playoff start in 1973 against the Cincinnati Reds. In typical Koosman-in-the-playoffs fashion, he went all nine. In fact, he also struck out nine batters as well.

The 1973 World Series wasn’t quite the same but Koosman did win a game and take a no-decision in his other start. He had a total of 8.2 innings there with a 3.12 ERA for the series across his two starts.

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You can’t tell the story of the Mets without mentioning Koosman. As of August 28, 2021, his number is officially retired. It’s understandable why. A great Mets career capped with some of the most stellar postseason numbers you will find in franchise history, Koosman remains one of the all-time great Mets.