NewsKoosman sentenced to six months in prison
Former Mets pitcher didn't pay federal taxes for three yearsBy Barry M. Bloom / MLB.com
09/03/09 6:02 PM ET
Jerry Koosman, a key pitcher for the 1969 Miracle Mets who shocked the baseball world by defeating the highly-favored Orioles in a five-game World Series, was sentenced to six months in prison on Thursday for not paying his federal taxes. The decision was handed down in Madison, Wis. Federal prosecutors accused Koosman, 66, of not paying his federal income taxes for 2002, '03 and '04, costing the government as much as $90,000. Koosman contended that he had researched tax laws and concluded they applied only to federal workers, corporate employees and District of Columbia residents. He pleaded guilty in May to misdemeanor tax evasion for '02 in a deal with prosecutors. Koosman played in the Majors for 19 seasons, from 1967-85, his first 12 with the Mets. He had a 222-209 record and a 3.36 ERA. Koosman was 17-9 on the '69 Mets team that also included Hall of Famers Tom Seaver and Nolan Ryan on its pitching staff. Koosman and Seaver also pitched for the '73 Mets, who lost a seven-game World Series to the A's.Barry M. Bloom is a national reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
