Former Minnesota Twins Pitcher Dies in Tragic News

Jerry Koosman, the left-handed pitcher from Appleton, Minnesota, who brought a World Series pedigree and a 20-win season back to his home state with the Twins, died Sunday, November 1, 2026, at age 83 in Osceola, Wisconsin.

He had been ill for about a year and passed away of multiple illnesses, surrounded by his children.

Born December 23, 1942, in Appleton, Koosman grew up in rural Minnesota and attended West Central School of Agriculture in Morris before serving in the Army.

He rose to prominence with the New York Mets, forming a formidable tandem with Tom Seaver on the 1969 “Miracle Mets” and recording the final out of their World Series championship over the Baltimore Orioles.

After struggling seasons in 1977–78, the Minnesota native requested a trade closer to home.

The Mets obliged in December 1978, sending him to the Twins for minor leaguer Greg Field and a player to be named later—later completed with Jesse Orosco.

In his first season wearing the Twins’ red, white, and blue in 1979, the 36-year-old veteran delivered one of the best years of his career.

Koosman went 20-13 with a 3.38 ERA over 263⅔ innings, earning 10 complete games and two shutouts.

He finished sixth in American League Cy Young voting and received the Twins’ Joseph W. Haynes Award as the club’s Pitcher of the Year.

After starting 7-0, he weathered a midseason lull before dominating August.

He followed with a solid 16-13 campaign in 1980 before a 1981 trade to the White Sox midseason. Across parts of three seasons with Minnesota, Koosman posted a 39-35 record and 3.77 ERA in 94 games.

The Twins organization noted his three seasons in Minnesota while joining the rest of baseball in mourning.

For fans in the Upper Midwest, Koosman’s return represented more than statistics: a local farm boy who had already scaled the sport’s highest peak brought proven durability and competitiveness to Metropolitan Stadium at a time when the club was rebuilding after the Rod Carew era.

Though his greatest fame remained tied to New York—where the Mets retired his No. 36 and inducted him into their Hall of Fame—his 1979 resurgence remains a memorable chapter in Twins history, a reminder of the talent the state has long produced and the veteran leadership it has welcomed home.

Koosman finished his 19-year major-league career with 222 wins, a 3.36 ERA, and 2,556 strikeouts. He is survived by sons Michael and Shawn and daughter Danielle.