Mets Rookies (Jerry Koosman/Nolan Ryan)

Jerome Martin “Jerry” Koosman (December 23, 1942-) is a retired pitcher who spent 19 seasons in Major League Baseball, but is perhaps best remembered for being a member of the 1969 “Miracle Mets.” The New York Mets drafted “Kooz” as an amateur free agent in 1964, and he appeared briefly with the team in 1967 before making the club full-time in 1968. It was a remarkable start as Koosman posted franchise records for wins (19), shutouts (7), and ERA (2.08) – topping the prior records set by Hall of Famer Tom Seaver a year earlier. Koosman was also selected to his first of two All-Star squads (1968, 1969). Kooz helped bring an unexpected World Series championship to the Mets in 1969 while posting a 17-9 record with a 2.28 ERA and 180 strikeouts during the regular season. With impressive numbers throughout the 1970s, Koosman had his best professional season in 1976 with a career best 21-10 record with 200 strikeouts. After 12 seasons (1967-1978) in the Big Apple, Jerry was traded to the Minnesota Twins (1979-1981) and posted a 20-13 record in his first season with the team. Koosman ended his career pitching for the Chicago White Sox (1981-1983) and Philadelphia Phillies (1984-1985) before retiring with a 222–209 record and 3.35 ERA in 612 games.

Lynn Nolan Ryan (January 31, 1947-) tops a handful of major pitching categories like strikeouts (5,714), walks (2,795) and most notably no-hitters with seven, including two in 1973. Shockingly, The Ryan Express never pitched a perfect game, nor did he win the Cy Young Award. The ultimate power pitcher, Ryan’s deadly fastball were often clocked at over 100 mph. even into his 40s. Nolan pitched 27 years in the big league for the Mets (1966, 1968-1971), the Angels (197201979), the Astros (1980-1988) and the Rangers (1989-1993) where he threw no-hitters in back-to-back seasons in 1990 and 1991 at age 43 and 44, respectively. Arguably the most dominant hurler of his era in either league, Ryan led the league in strikeouts 11 times and strikeouts per 9 innings 12 times at an impressive 9.5 average. Ryan was an eight-time All-Star selection, was a member of the 1969 World Series champion New York Mets and is the only player, other than Jackie Robinson, to have his number retired by three different teams (Angels, Astros, Rangers). Nolan Ryan retired posting a record of 324-292 with 5,714 strikeouts and a career 3.19 earned run average. Lynn Nolan Ryan was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999.