Jerry Koosman: New York Mets Pitching Great Is Still Naive After All These Years

Jerry Koosman was a "Tax Truther." He claimed that he had done enough research on federal tax laws to conclude they applied only to federal employees, corporate workers and District of Columbia residents.

Since he wasn't a member of any of those categories, he didn't have to pay federal taxes.

Koosman decided not to pay taxes from 2002-04. Those that are in involved of such matters brought charges against the former New York Mets left-hander.

On Sept. 3, 2009, Koosman was found guilty of willfully failing to file taxes for 2002, a misdemeanor, in a deal with prosecutors.

U.S. District Judge Barbara Crabb excoriated Koosman's actions or, in this case, lack of actions.

In a manner reminiscent of an angry father lecturing his son about the munificent government, Judge Crabb was upset that Koosman had the temerity to reach a decision that was in conflict with the conclusions of the "experts."

She castigated Koosman because she felt that he had taken advantage of so many of the opportunities the United States (read that "government") had offered him, including the chance to become a major leaguer.

Instead of repaying those who allowed him such choices, he walked away without paying.

Koosman's lawyer explained that his client has a reputation for being too trusting and naive, which was true.

In 1971, Koosman had been summoned before a grand jury investigating a possibly fixed exacta race fixed exacta race. Leonard Schindler gave Koosman $500 at Yonkers Raceway the day of the race in question.

Schindler owned a clothing shop in Brooklyn at which Koosman made appearances and did public relations work. The FBI investigated Koosman and according M. Donald Grant, the Mets chairman of the board, Koosman was "guilty of nothing more than being naive."

Jerry Koosman is an intelligent individual. He was an outstanding pitcher that analyzed each performance on the mound. Being intelligent and being naive are not the same thing.

Koosman, unlike other "country boys" like MIckey Mantle, never adapted to New York's environment. He was similar to Roger Maris, who couldn't wait to get out the big city.

There is no doubt that Koosman really believed that he didn't have to pay income tax. He was not dishonest.

He went up against the most powerful forces on earth, thinking that if he could prove his case, there would be no problems 

That was naive.