Jerry Koosman (1967-1978) Best Season as a Met: 1976 – 21-10 with a 2.69 ERA, 121 ERA+, 2.83 FIP, 1.096 WHIP, 200 strikeouts, 17 complete games and a 4.9 fWAR

Jerry Koosman (1967-1978)

Best Season as a Met: 1976 – 21-10 with a 2.69 ERA, 121 ERA+, 2.83 FIP, 1.096 WHIP, 200 strikeouts, 17 complete games and a 4.9 fWAR

 

**Jerry Koosman: The Unsung Ace of the Mets’Golden Era**

*Best Season: 1976 — A Masterclass on the Mound*

 

From 1967 to 1978, Jerry Koosman stood tall as one of the most consistent and underrated pitchers in New York Mets history. While names like Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan often grab the spotlight, Koosman’s quiet dominance made him an indispensable part of the Mets’ rotation through their early years of transformation and triumph. His best campaign came in 1976 — a season that perfectly captured his grit, control, and durability.

 

### The 1976 Masterpiece

 

In 1976, at age 33, Jerry Koosman delivered the finest season of his Mets career. He posted a stellar 21-10 record — the only 20-win season of his career — along with a sparkling 2.69 ERA. That performance earned him a 121 ERA+, indicating he was 21% better than the average pitcher in that era, and a 2.83 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), showing that his success wasn’t just luck or defense—it was dominance.

 

His 1.096 WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was a testament to his control and poise on the mound. Even more impressive, Koosman logged 200 strikeouts that season, showcasing his ability to miss bats even in a contact-heavy era. He also threw an astonishing 17 complete games — a true workhorse performance, unthinkable in today’s pitch-count world.

 

Koosman’s fWAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 4.9 that year placed him among the top pitchers in the National League, even if his efforts were overshadowed in a non-playoff season for the Mets.

 

### The Mets’ Steady Lefty

 

Koosman’s impact went beyond stats. He was a stabilizing force for a Mets team that fluctuated between contention and rebuilding throughout the 1970s. In fact, he was a critical piece of the 1969 “Miracle Mets” World Series team and returned to the Fall Classic in 1973. In both those postseason runs, Koosman proved himself as a clutch performer, including a win in the decisive Game 5 of the 1969 World Series.

 

### Legacy in Queens

 

By the time Koosman left the Mets in 1978, he had compiled a 140-137 record with a 3.09 ERA in New York. Though his win-loss record doesn’t leap off the page, it reflects more on the lack of run support he received than on his performance. His 26 career shutouts and over 1,800 innings pitched for the Mets speak volumes about his durability and effectiveness.

 

Despite never winning a Cy Young Award, Jerry Koosman’s name remains etched in Mets history as one of the most dependable pitchers to ever wear the blue and orange. His 1976 season remains a shining example of what made him special — a crafty lefty who could dominate without fanfare.

 

In 2021, the Mets finally retired his No. 36 jersey, giving overdue recognition to a player who helped define a generation of Mets baseball. And for anyone looking back at the franchise’s golden years, Jerry Koosman’s 1976 season is a reminder that greatness doesn’t always come with headlines — sometimes, it comes with consistency, heart, and a wicked fastball.