On This Date in 1979...

Jesse Orosco becomes the "player to be named later," going to the Mets to complete the trade that sent veteran Jerry Koosman to Minnesota back in December.  Just a year after being drafted from Santa Barbara City College, the young lefty will make his MLB debut that September -- and goes on to pitch in 24 big league seasons, highlighted by recording the final out of the 1986 World Series on the mound at Shea Stadium.

Over a career that spans four decades and concludes in the 21st century, Orosco will set the record for pitching in the most games -- 1252.  He's also the last Mets pitcher to win both ends of a doubleheader.  On July 31st, 1983, the Mets walked off the Pirates twice -- with Jesse recording the last out in the top of what became the final innings.

All told, a pretty good return for a franchise that struggled mightily in the late '70s.

 

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