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Jerry Koosman: All Time Mets Left Handed Pitcher (Part One: 1967-1972)

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Jerome Martin Koosman w as born December 23, 1942, on a farm in Appleton, Minnesota. As a child he left hander went ice fishing and played baseball in their family’s hay loft with his brother. He was drafted into the army in 1962, & there was no baseball team where he was stationed. Lucky enough his dentist, who was a general in the same unit helped Koosman get to El Paso Texas where they did have a baseball team.  After a few warmup pitches at the try out, he was told he was in the starting rotation. Koosman was serving at Ft. Bliss, Texas and made a friend who was from Queens, New York. He also was the son of an usher at Shea Stadium. John Luchese wrote to his dad telling him the Mets team should check this Koosman guy out, he could sure throw. The scouts came and offered him a contract right away after seeing him pitch. Quotes: Koosman said “It seemed every time we spoke, they lowered the offer by a hundred dollars. I figured I better ...
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Rickey Henderson (The Mets Years 1999 - 2000)

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Rickey Henderson signed with Mets in December 1998 just one week before his 40th his birthday on Christmas Day.  #24: The controversy started right away when he was issued uniform #24. Although it was never officially retired, it was last used by the legendary Hall of Famer, Willie Mays during the 1973 Mets NL Pennant season. There was one exception with the number 24, when it was accidentally given to Kelvin Torve in 1990.  But after public outrage it was quickly taken away & Torve was reissued a new number.  Many longtime  fans did not think Henderson, although a future Hall of Famer himself, was worthy of wearing the great Mays' number 24. Mays' uniform #24 would finally be retired by the Mets in 2022. Mets Career-1999: Henderson was never a great fit with the Mets,  but he did have a real good year in 1999.  Henderson took over the leadoff   spot-on  Opening Day, playing  left field & collecting his first...
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Dave Kingman (Part One) The Sluggers First Mets Years (1975-1977)

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David Arthur Kingman was born December 21, 1948, in Pendleton, Oregon. His father worked with United Airlines & moved the family around the country often. When Kingman was three years old his family moved to Colorado, then when he was six to Los Angeles, finally settling in Mount Prospect Illinois. Kingman went to high school in Illinois & was drafted twice in the late sixties. The first time as a first-round pick in 1968 by the Baltimore Orioles but he did not sign.  USC: Kingman then attended the University of Southern California where he became a star college player.  First off he was a four-year letter winner at basketball.  Kingman was converted to an outfielder there by legendary coach Rod Dedeaux. He was also a member of the Trojans College World Series Championship in 1980.  The big six-foot six right-handed  Kingman was quickly drafted in the first round, as the number one overall pick by the San Francisc...
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