Former Phillies Starter, Rival’s 2-Time All-Star And World Series Champion Jerry Koosman, Dies

PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 29: The Phillies logo at section 108 seat 32 is shown at Citizens Bank Park on August 29, 2017 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Rain cancelled the game against the Atlanta Braves and is rescheduled as a doubleheader tomorrow. (Photo by Corey Perrine/Getty Images)

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The Philadelphia Phillies have been part of some of baseball’s most memorable eras, and their long history includes tenures from many of the most notable players in major league history, whose careers extended well beyond their time in Philadelphia.

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One former standout Phillies starter joined the team after a career that was defined by the New York Mets, where he became one of the key figures of the franchise’s early success. He eventually finished his career with the Phillies, offering fans of the franchise a chance to call him one of their own as well.

And after a memorable 19 year career in the big leagues, the Mets shared the news that he died at age 83 on Sunday.

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“The 1969 Mets had a multitude of heroes, but no one was bigger than Jerry Koosman, who passed away this morning after battling multiple illnesses,” longtime Mets public relations representative Jay Horwitz announced.

The Mets confirmed his death in a remembrance published on their official blog, which also shared details about his family and his place in franchise history.

“Jerry who was 83 years old died in Osceola, WI surrounded by his family,” according to the memorial post. “His number 36 is retired by the New York Mets and he is also in the team’s Hall of Fame. After the Mets lost game 1 of the World Series, Jerry won game 2 and also the clinching game 5 .”

Koosman spent 12 seasons with the Mets from 1967 through 1978, forming a formidable pitching tandem with Tom Seaver. He was a two-time All-Star, earning selections in 1968 and 1969, and played a major role in New York’s improbable 1969 World Series championship.

But longtime Phillies fans will recall that he spent the final two campaigns of his career, 1984 and 1985, with their favorite team after his impressive run with arguably their fiercest division rival.

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After leaving New York, Koosman pitched for the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox before joining the Phillies. All told, his 19-year career ended with 222 wins, 2,556 strikeouts and a 3.36 ERA over 612 appearances

Though his time with the Phillies represented just the closing chapter of a long playing career, Koosman’s legacy will be treasured in Philadelphia. His role in the Mets’ rise from perennial underdogs to World Series champions made him one of the most recognizable pitchers in that franchise’s history, making his arrival with the Phillies quite notable at the time.

Koosman made 18 starts in his final season with the Phillies, logging a 4.62 ERA, before hanging up his spikes.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com

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