Mets To Retire Koosman's No. 36 On June 13

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The Mets have set a date for Jerry Koosman's No. 36 to be retired.

The pitching great will be honored before the Mets' game against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, June 13 at Citi Field. The Mets announced in September that Koosman's number will be retired during the 2020 season.

Koosman was a key member of the “Miracle Mets” who improbably won the World Series in 1969. 

Koosman spent 12 years with the Mets from 1967-78, but none was as special as 1969 was. The left-hander was an All-Star that year, as he went 17-9 record with a 2.28 ERA. Koosman then starred in the World Series against the Orioles, pitching Game 2 and Game 5, which was the series clincher.

The Mets' Jerry Koosman delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals on July 21, 1968, against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Malcolm Emmons/USA TODAY Images

He ranks third in Mets history in wins (140), third in strikeouts (1,799) and sixth in ERA (3.09). 

Koosman was initially discovered by the Mets when the son of a Shea Stadium usher saw him pitching while in the military. The Appleton, Minnesota, native signed with the team after he was discharged.

The 77-year-old will become just the sixth player or manager to have his number retired by the Mets. He joins a group that also consists of Gilbert Hodges, Mike Piazza, Casey Stengel, Tom Seaver and Jackie Robinson.