Remembering Mets History (1968): Jerry Koosman Tosses Back to Back Shut Outs As Mets Win 1st Home Opener

Wednesday April 17th, 1968: At the time no one could have possibly known that the Mets were one season away from being the Amazing Mets & winning a World Series. But there were early signs as they opened the 1968 season, on this day one of their young star pitchers, tossed back-to-back shut outs.

Gil Hodges, the new Mets skipper was on hand for his first Opening Day at Shea Stadium. His team hosted the former New York National League team, the now San Francisco Giants, managed by Herman Franks. This year marked the Giants tenth year on the West Coast.

The Giants always drew well returning to New York & on this day 52,079 were on hand at Shea Stadium. Hodges sent his young lefty, Jerry Koosman to face the Giants' Mike McCormick. McCormick was the NL leader in victories the previous year, posting a 22-10 mark with a 2.85 ERA.

The 1968 Mets Opening Day line up featured all key players for the Miracle Champions of 1969. 

Koosman had a shaky 1st inning, as Ron Hunt led off with a base hit, Jim Davenport reached on a Bud Harrelson error & then he walked Willie McCovey. 

Koosman took a deep breathe & struck out Willie Mays. He then got Jim Ray hart to pop up & ended the inning striking out Jim Hiatt.

In the home 2nd it was Cleon Jones who got the Mets off to a 1-0 lead with his first HR of the season. 

Koosman scattered a leadoff hit in the 3rd, another single in the 5th & another in the 6th.

The score remained 1-0 Mets as McCormick also held the scoreless until the 6th inning.

Ken Boswell led off the inning with a base hit. After Tommie Agee flew out Boswell advanced on Ron Swoboda's fielder's choice. "The Glider" Ed Charles then doubled to left field bringing in Boswell with the Mets second run.

In the top of the 7th, Koosman struggled a bit giving up a one out a hit to pinch hitter Nate Oliver. He then struck out "Downtown" Ollie Brown but walked Ron Hunt. With two on Koosman ended the inning by striking out Jim Davenport for the third time on the day.

In the bottom of the 7th, Giants reliever Bobby Bolin came in & surrendered a leadoff double to catcher Jerry Grote. Bolin then booted a grounder hit by Koosman putting two men on for the Mets with no outs. Al Weis would then single to left field bring home Grote to top off the 3-0 win.

As for Koosman, he was had a fantastic afternoon, scattering seven hits, walking two & striking out ten batters. He would strike out eleven batters in his next start as well.

For Koosman he would start out the year at 4-0 & finish up at 19-12 on a team that was 73-89. He came in second in that year's Rookie of the Year voting to Johnny Bench.

His 19 wins were 4th best in the NL & he struck out 178 batters. More incredibly he kept his ERA under two all season until September 24th. That day he gave up five earned runs to the Atlanta Braves, putting his ERA at 2.12 the first time it was over two all season. He ended the year with a 2.08 ERA (4th best in the NL).

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Thursday April 11th, 1968: Back in his first start, six days earlier Koosman pitched the second game of the '68 season.

He threw a four-hit shutout in Los Angeles, beating the Dodgers 4-0. He struck out just three & walked four batters in the complete game effort.

He walked batters in the 2nd & 3rd innings not giving up a base hit until Tom Haller singled in the bottom of the 5th. 

Bill Singer matched zeroes with Kooz until the 6th inning, when Ken Boswell led off with a triple. After striking out Tommie Agee, Bill Singer walked Ron Swoboda & Ed Kranepool to load the bases. Art Shamsky then delivered a two-run single giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

In the 8th, Tommie Agee got all the way to third base on an outfield error to lead off the inning. Ron Swoboda then singled him in for the Mets third run. 

In the 8th inning, Jerry Grote led off with a single, advanced & Ken Boswell's sac fly gave New York their fourth final run.