Mailbag: Koosman for the Hall?

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01/24/2005 11:07 AM ET
Mailbag: Koosman for the Hall?
Beat writer Kevin T. Czerwinski answers fans' questions
By Kevin T. Czerwinski / MLB.com

I believe Jerry Koosman should have received better support in Hall of Fame voting when he first became eligible. At that time, his 2,500-plus strikeouts and 200-plus wins, along with his superb postseason stats, would have looked better than the watered-down stats being hung up today. Kooz pitched like a Hall of Famer, and I think the Veterans Committee should vote him in. Do you think he has a shot? Will the vets give him consideration? Tom B., Staten Island, N.Y.

Tom, that's an interesting idea, one that I had never given serious consideration to until I read your letter. Jerry Koosman topped 260 innings four times and went pass the 200-inning mark 12 times in a 19-year career. Those numbers are unheard of today. His rookie season (1968) saw him throw 17 complete games, seven of which were shutouts. Those numbers are also not going to be found next to any pitcher in today's game. He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting to Johnny Bench.

Koosman was 21-10 in 1976 and probably should have won the Cy Young Award, but Randy Jones took home the honor after the voting body felt he was slighted in favor of Tom Seaver the previous year. He finished with 140 complete games and made 34 starts (winning 14 games) as a 41-year-old for the Phillies in 1984.

All of which is very impressive. But he only has 222 career victories, and that will keep him out of the Hall. If Bert Blyleven can't get in, it's likely neither will Koosman. What hurts is that he went 11-35 on two truly bad New York teams in 1977-78. Reverse those numbers and he has a chance. Injuries also slowed him in 1971, when he went 6-11, so being 17-46 for those three seasons definitely hurt.

Still, Koosman remains the greatest lefty the Mets have ever sent to the mound and one of the best postseason hurlers in club history.

Now that Phil Humber has signed, when can we expect to see him on the Major League team and in what role? George E., New York, N.Y.

George, getting Phil Humber under contract in time for Spring Training was very important and will pay dividends this season, though not at the Major League level. Humber could someday become the ace of the staff, considering his record at Rice University and the lofty position in which he was chosen in last year's draft (third overall). But what he did in college and when the Mets picked him won't amount to much if he doesn't produce, and that's what the club will be looking at when Spring Training starts in a few weeks.

Humber has the talent and is a smart kid. If he can adapt to pro ball as well as some other youngsters have then he should be fine. Losing a half season negotiating a deal hurt him because that was valuable time he could have spent at Brooklyn or Capital City facing professional hitters. Though he'll be in camp with the Mets, he'll essentially be starting from scratch so don't look for him to progress as quickly as you would hope.

His likely starting point this season is Class A St. Lucie, and, if he succeeds, a few starts at Double-A Binghamton should be in the offing. Still, his arrival time in the big leagues isn't expected for at least another year, the same projection the club had for Scott Kazmir.

We know Jose Reyes is having a good Winter League season while Kazuo Matsui has gone under the radar this winter. Does anyone know if the Mets have arranged for Kaz to work out at second base, or is he going to first pick up a second base glove in Spring Training? Tony D., Stony Point, N.Y.

Tony, Kaz Matsui didn't attend the club's mini-camp, and he isn't playing Winter Ball. He has been working out on his own, though. Whether the extent of those workouts includes actually picking up a glove and fielding grounders at second base is unclear. He's been in New York, has gone home to Japan, and the weather hasn't exactly been conducive for outdoor activity in either spot. Rest assured, he will see plenty of time at second base before the season starts. He showed up early at Port St. Lucie last season to work with Jose Reyes so there's no reason to believe he won't be there earlier this year to get in the same kind of work.

Will the Mets explore the idea of having Cliff Floyd play first this year and spend the large sum of money needed to lure Carlos Delgado for an outfielder? It seems to me that Floyd could play first quite well and should be able to put up good numbers. Sometimes the answer to a need is in your own backyard. Ed C., Estero, Fla.

Ed, this question has been posed by many people and the answer is what is always has been -- a resounding no. Cliff Floyd went so far as to volunteer to play first last year, and the offer was declined by Art Howe. Floyd suffered one of the most devastating injuries in his injury-plagued career while playing first base for Montreal. In fact, it happened against the Mets at Shea Stadium in 1995. He and Todd Hundley collided, and Floyd broke or dislocated six of the eight bones in his left wrist while tearing the sac that contained the bones. He was out for four months so don't expect a return engagement at first.

I really like the hustle and passion that Jason Phillips plays with, and I am glad that -- so far -- the Mets have held on to him. Do you think he has the chance to become the Mets everyday catcher if and when Mike Piazza leaves? He showed lots of offensive promise in his rookie year, and I hope a bad sophomore season does not make him a goner! Vince G., Garwood, N.J.

Vince, the Mets tried to trade Jason Phillips last month at the Winter Meetings and will likely do so again if they can find a taker. There are many in the organization that soured on Phillips after the season he had in 2004 regardless of the promise he showed as a rookie. While Phillips is a fine defensive catcher with a reasonably sound arm, he is slow afoot, a trait he readily acknowledges, and has proven, thus far, to be inconsistent at the plate.

Phillips won't have much of an opportunity to get extended playing time this season, either, if Mike Piazza remains healthy. Throw in the fact that Omar Minaya has signed several catchers to minor league contracts and invited them to big league camp this winter, which is another sign that the club is ready to go in a different direction once Piazza's contract is up at the end of this season.

Kevin Czerwinski is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


Jerry Koosman (in Jerry Grote's grasp) and the Mets celebrate their 1969 World Series victory. (AP)


Jerry Koosman pitches for the Mets in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series. (AP)