Remembering Mets History (1984): Jerry Koosman Returns to Shea on Strawberry Sundae
In his honor, Carvel & the Mets offered free Strawberry Sundae's to the fans at the game. Good times were back again at Shea Stadium, as the Mets were a much-improved team from previous years & ready to contend.
Also on this day, a familiar & popular face from the past was returning to Shea Stadium. Mets legendary pitcher, Jerry Koosman, now a member of the Phillies was making a triumphant return to Shea.
Koosman had spent 12 years with the Mets, pitching as the number two man behind Tom Seaver. He was 140-137 with a 3.09 ERA striking out 1799 batters in 2544.2 innings in 376 appearances.
Koosman pitched in two World Series for the Mets. In postseason play he was 4-0. The Mets finally retired his uniform #36 in 2021.
Koosman left the Mets after the 1978 season, since then he had been in the AL with his home state's team, the Minnesota Twins (1979-1981) then the Chicago White Sox (1981-1983).
A crowd of 28,562 enjoyed their ice cream & watched Davey Johnson's Mets (12-8) host Paul Owen's Philadelphia Phillies (11-8).
Trivia: Jerry Koosman would pitch once more at Shea Stadium, getting a start on August 15th 1985, his next to last start of his career. He earned no decision giving up six runs including HRs to Gary Carter, Ray Knight & Tom Paciorek.
Walt Terrell went six innings allowing two runs on nine hits, striking out two & walking two. Doug Sisk pitched a scoreless 7th inning. Then Jesse Orosco relieved Doug Sisk to pitch the 8th inning,
Kooz was now with the Phillies & this was his first return to Shea Stadium since leaving the Mets. Now in his 18th season he would retire the next year. The Shea fans gave him a nice ovation in thanks for all his great Mets achievements.
A crowd of 28,562 enjoyed their ice cream & watched Davey Johnson's Mets (12-8) host Paul Owen's Philadelphia Phillies (11-8).
The Mets sent Walt Terrell (2-1) to the mound to face the Phils' Jerry Koosman (1-3).
In the top of the 1st, the Phils got on the board first, as Juan Samuel singled & scored on Len Matuszek's double.
But the Mets came right back, Ron Gardenhire led off with a base hit off Koosman & advanced to second on Keith Hernandez's ground out. George Foster then singled bringing in Gardenhire to tie the game at one.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Jose Oquendo reached on an error, then advanced on a force play. Oquendo then stole third base & scored when Koosman balked. It was 2-1 Mets.
But the Mets came right back, Ron Gardenhire led off with a base hit off Koosman & advanced to second on Keith Hernandez's ground out. George Foster then singled bringing in Gardenhire to tie the game at one.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Jose Oquendo reached on an error, then advanced on a force play. Oquendo then stole third base & scored when Koosman balked. It was 2-1 Mets.
In the bottom of the 4th, the honored Met of the day, Darryl Strawberry doubled & went to third on an error by Joe Lefebvre in right field.
Mookie Wilson followed with a base hit scoring Strawberry to make it a 3-1 Mets lead. Wilson stole second & the ball went into the outfield. Mookie attempted to score on the Phillies sloppy play but was thrown out at home by left fielder Glen Wilson.
In the top of the 5th, the Phils got within a run, as Juan Samuel collected a two out single, then stole second. Len Matuszek drove him in with a base hit.
Walt Terrell & Jerry Koosman would battle it out until the 6th inning. In the bottom frame, Koosman walked Darryl Strawberry to start the inning. He then struck out Mookie Wilson & got Hubie Brooks to ground out. But with two outs, Mets catcher Mike Fitzgerald singled.
Walt Terrell & Jerry Koosman would battle it out until the 6th inning. In the bottom frame, Koosman walked Darryl Strawberry to start the inning. He then struck out Mookie Wilson & got Hubie Brooks to ground out. But with two outs, Mets catcher Mike Fitzgerald singled.
Koosman's Day at Shea Over: The Phils went to the bullpen, as Koosman exited to another ovation. On the day he went 5.2 innings allowing three runs on seven hits, he struck out four & walked two. Koosman would take the loss on this day. He would win 14 games on the year, best on the Phillies staff as they finished .500 at 81-81.
Kevin Gross came in to pitch for the Phillies & Mets manager Davey Johnson sent Rusty Staub in to pinch hitter. Rusty had been Koosman's teammate in New York from 1972-1975.
Now Rusty Staub, was one of the best pinch hitters of the day & he delivered with a base hit scoring Strawberry with his second run of the day. It was now a 4-2 Mets lead.
In the bottom of the 7th, Keith Hernandez hit a solo HR, his first HR of the year making it 5-2 a Mets lead.
In the bottom of the 8th, Hubie Brooks reached on a Mike Schmidt error at third base. He then stole second. Jesse Orosco came to the plate & singled to left field scoring Brooks with the Mets sixth run.
Trivia: It was one of four career RBIs for Jesse Orosco. In 59 career at bats, he collected ten hits, including an RBI single in the World Series.
The Mets won the game 6-2 with Terrell getting the win & Orosco closing it out for the save.
The Mets won the game 6-2 with Terrell getting the win & Orosco closing it out for the save.
The 1984 Mets would win 90 games (90-72) finishing in second place.
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