Jerry Koosman, who got final out in the 1969 Miracle Mets' World Series victory, dies at 83

Jerry Koosman, an All-Star left-hander who got the final out of the 1969 World Series, died Sunday at 83

He died of multiple illnesses in Osceola, Wisconsin, surrounded by his children, after being sick for about a year

Koosman went 222-209 with a 3.36 ERA over 19 major league seasons, with 140 complete games including 33 shutouts

He pitched for the Mets (1967-78), Minnesota Twins (1979-81), Chicago White Sox (1981-83) and Philadelphia Phillies (1984-85)

1962: The Mets launch as an expansion franchise · Aug. 27, 1964: Koosman signs with the Mets for $1,600 · April 14, 1967: Koosman makes his major league debut with 2 2/3 hitless relief innings at Philadelphia · 1968: Koosman reaches the majors for good, throws a four-hit shutout at Dodger Stadium and finishes 19-12 · 1969: Koosman goes 17-9, helps the Mets win the World Series, getting the final out against Baltimore · 1973: Koosman makes two World Series starts against Oakland, winning Game 5 · December 1978: The Mets trade Koosman to the Minnesota Twins

83 age at death · 222-209 career win-loss record · 17-9 1969 season record · $1,600 signing bonus · 100-62 1969 Mets record

Koosman himself was unsure whether the substance on the ball that hit Cleon Jones in Game 5 was shoe polish, saying 'Maybe it wasn't mine. Maybe it was Cleon's show polish'