The New York Mets have announced that a bronze sculpture of Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Koosman will be unveiled outside of Citi Field on Sept. 6, 2025. The sculpture will depict Jerry Koosman behind the radio microphone as he was for 18 years with the New York Mets……Mets to Honor Jerry Koosman with Bronze Sculpture at Citi Field
In a heartfelt nod to a beloved voice of baseball, the New York Mets have announced plans to unveil a bronze sculpture of Hall of Fame broadcaster Jerry Koosman outside Citi Field on September 6, 2025. The statue will depict Koosman behind a radio microphone, immortalizing his 18 influential years as a broadcaster with the Mets and celebrating a legacy that continues to echo throughout the franchise’s storied history.
The announcement came early Saturday morning, as Mets owner Steve Cohen addressed fans in a special video message released on social media and the team’s official website. “Jerry Koosman is more than just a name in Mets history,” Cohen said. “He’s a voice, a storyteller, and a bridge between generations of Mets fans. We’re proud to honor him in this permanent and fitting way.”
From the Mound to the Microphone
While Jerry Koosman is best remembered by older fans for his brilliant pitching career—most notably as a key part of the 1969 “Miracle Mets”—his post-playing career as a broadcaster made him a beloved figure to an entirely new generation. After retiring from Major League Baseball in 1985, Koosman returned to Queens in the mid-1990s, this time not as a player, but as a voice in the booth.
From 1996 to 2014, Koosman served as a color commentator and later lead play-by-play announcer for Mets radio broadcasts. His deep knowledge of the game, combined with a warm, conversational tone and unmistakable Midwestern cadence, made him a favorite among fans and players alike. Whether calling clutch hits in October or the dog days of August, Koosman’s commentary brought the drama of the game alive with intelligence, humor, and heart.
“Jerry had a way of making you feel like you were at the ballpark, even if you were sitting in traffic on the BQE,” said Mets Hall of Famer David Wright. “He brought the game to life and connected fans to the team in a really special way.”
A Sculpture to Remember
The bronze sculpture, currently being crafted by renowned sports artist William Behrends—whose previous works include statues of Willie Mays, Tony Gwynn, and Jackie Robinson—will stand near the Home Run Apple entrance at Citi Field. Unlike most player statues, which tend to portray athletes in action, Koosman’s will offer a different kind of dynamic energy: one of focus, warmth, and storytelling. It will feature Koosman seated in the press box, leaning into the microphone with headphones on, capturing him mid-call in a moment of passion and precision.
“This statue isn’t just about honoring Jerry,” said Mets Vice President of Alumni Relations Jay Horwitz. “It’s about honoring the era when the radio was king. When fans couldn’t watch every game, they heard every game—through Jerry. He was the soundtrack of our summers.”
The Mets confirmed that Koosman was personally involved in the design process before his passing in 2023 at the age of 80. “Jerry was incredibly humbled by the idea,” Behrends said. “He didn’t want anything flashy. He just wanted it to feel like the real thing—just him, the mic, and the game.”
A Day of Celebration
The unveiling ceremony on September 6 will be a major event in Mets lore. It will take place prior to the team’s Saturday evening game against the Philadelphia Phillies, a team Koosman often lit up on air with classic stories from his playing days. The event will feature appearances from former teammates, broadcasters, and family members, including Koosman’s wife, Sherry, and their two children, who have remained active in Mets community programs.
The ceremony will also include a special pregame panel titled “The Voice of a Generation,” featuring prominent radio broadcasters from across Major League Baseball who will discuss Koosman’s impact on the medium and the art of storytelling in sports. Fans in attendance will receive commemorative Jerry Koosman pins, and the Mets will wear patches on their jerseys honoring his initials, “JK,” during the game.
In addition, the Mets announced that the radio booth at Citi Field will be permanently renamed the “Jerry Koosman Broadcast Suite,” with a plaque installed commemorating his 18 years of service.
The Lasting Legacy
Jerry Koosman’s influence on the Mets organization and their fans is hard to overstate. As a player, he was part of the greatest underdog story in baseball history—pitching a complete game victory in Game 5 of the 1969 World Series to seal the Mets’ first championship. As a broadcaster, he became a trusted companion, a beloved voice that shared the highs and lows of Mets baseball for nearly two decades.
“He was more than just a broadcaster,” said Howie Rose, longtime Mets radio announcer and Koosman’s on-air partner from 1996 to 2006. “He was a mentor. A friend. A man who knew the game inside and out, and who cared deeply about how it was told.”
Since his passing, tributes to Koosman have poured in from across the baseball world. This sculpture will serve not only as a tribute to the man himself but also as a reminder of the unique bond between fans and the voices who carry them through every pitch, every inning, and every season.
A Voice That Endures
For many Mets fans, Koosman’s voice was the first they heard describing a David Wright homer, a Johan Santana no-hitter, or even a heartbreaking September loss. Through good times and bad, he remained steadfast, insightful, and kind—never above the game or its players, always part of it.
As Citi Field continues to evolve and celebrate its heroes—Seaver, Piazza, Carter—it is fitting that one of the team’s most enduring and human voices will now have a place alongside them. The image of Jerry Koosman, perched in his chair, eyes fixed on the field, calling the game with wisdom and wonder, will now live forever in bronze.
Because sometimes, the greatest moments
in baseball aren’t just seen—they’re heard.
