Jerry Koosman, one of Mets' greatest pitchers ever, dies at 83

Jerry Koosman died, the Mets announced Sunday. He was 83.

One of the greatest pitchers in franchise history, Koosman's No. 36 was retired Aug. 28, 2021, at Citi Field .

"Humbly thankful that they thought that much of me to retire my number," he said before his ceremony five years ago . "I know I'm joining a great crew that's already had their numbers retired. I don't know that I deserve it, but I guess we're gonna get on with it."

Koosman's MLB career featured the Mets (1967-78), Minnesota Twins (1978-81), Chicago White Sox (1981-83) and Philadelphia Phillies (1983-84).

He was a two-time All-Star (1968-69) and key member of the Mets' 1969 World Series team alongside ace Tom Seaver .

"Jerry was so underrated because Seaver was there, too," Duffy Dyer , the former Mets catcher and Koosman's teammate from 1968-71, told SNY's Anthony McCarron in August 2021.

"His fastball had really good movement and he threw hard. I always thought he was tougher to catch because you didn't know how his fastball was going to move each time -- cut, sink or rise. It was such a great pitch."

Koosman was on SNY's Mets All-Time Team earlier this year.

"Seaver's wingman, Koosman -- whose No. 36 was retired in 2021 -- was a force in his own right during the 12 years he spent with the Mets from 1967 to 1978 -- posting a 3.09 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in over 2,500 innings," SNY's Danny Abriano wrote March 20.

"His most dominant stretch came from 1968 to 1971, and included tossing a complete game in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series as the Mets won their first title."

Koosman was born Dec. 23, 1942, in Appleton, Minn. He made his MLB debut April 14, 1967, with the Mets and last appeared in the bigs as a member of the Phillies Aug. 21, 1985.