Remembering Mets History (1975) Jerry Koosman Wins 100th Career Game

Tuesday June 24th, 1975: Yogi Berra's Mets (32-32) were trying to get above .500, as they were in third place seven games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Tonight, they hosted Red Schoendienst's St Louis Cardinals (32-33) right behind the Mets & Cubs seven- & one-half games behind. The Mets were trying to stop a seven-game losing streak, having dropped the last two to the Cards here at Shea.

Tonight, Jerry Koosman would help break the losing streak, reaching a Mets career milestone, setting himself a permanent spot in Mets history (one again). Koosman came into the game at 5-5 with a 3.84 ERA, he faced off against the Redbirds' John Curtis (4-5). Curtis had come over to St. Louis in 1975 after winning ten or more games, three straight seasons with the Boston Red Sox.

The Mets squeaked out a run in the bottom of the 1st, as Gene Clines singled, stole second then scored when Jesus Alou hit a fly ball to left field that, Lou Brock made an error on.

In the bottom of the 4th, Dave Kingman hit his tenth HR of the year, a two-run shot giving the Mets & Koosman a 3-0 lead. Joe Torre had singled to start the inning. Torre would have a big day at the plate, collecting three hits. 

Trivia: The 34 year old Torre had come over from the Cardinals that season in a trade for Ray Sadecki & Tommy Moore. Torre had spent six years in St. Louis winning the 1971 NL MVP Award. 

The Brooklyn native Torre was in the twilight of his career, batting just .247 in 1975 although he hit .306 in his last full playing season in 1976. Torre would manage the Mets from 1977 - 1981.

In the 7th, another new 1975 Met, Del Unser led off with a base hit. Koosman bunted him over & Gene Clines (also a new addition in '75) drove him in with another base hit. The speedy Clines advanced to third on a Felix Millan base hit, then scored on Jesus Alou's grounder. Alou was also new to the 1975 Mets.

Jerry Koosman shut out the Cards' allowing just one hit over the first six innings. In the top of the 7th, Ted Simmons led off with a base hit, Koosman struck out Luis Melendez & got Ken Reitz to fly out. He issued another single, this time to Doug Howard but got Mario Guerrero to fly out.

In the 8th Koosman gave up a double to Mike Tyson, he advanced on Lou Brock's grounder & scored on Ted Sizemore's grounder to short.

The Mets went on to a 5-1 win, breaking the losing streak, they would win four straight. Jerry Koosman won his sixth game of the season, but personally for him, it was 100th career victory. 

Kooz Trivia: Koosman became just the second Met to have 100 wins, Tom Seaver of course was the first. He would be just one of three pitchers to earn 100 wins while wearing a Mets uniform. Dwight Gooden did it later on. Koosman was in his ninth MLB season with the Mets.

Koosman ranked third on the all-time Mets win lost with 140. In his Mets career he was 140- 137 with a 3.36 ERA 1799 strike outs (third on Mets all time list) with 820 walks in 2544 innings pitched (second to Tom Seaver) in 376 appearances (5th on Mets all time list) 346 starts (second to Tom Seaver).