Fifty-four years ago today in New York Mets history, 22-year old rookie Tom Seaver took the mound for his second career start, and took home the first win of his big league career in the team’s 6-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Shea Stadium.

Seaver made his big league debut a week prior against the Pittsburgh Pirates and took the no-decision after pitching 5.1 innings, and allowing two runs on six hits, while walking four and striking out eight in the teams late inning 3-2 win.

The youngster pitched much better during his first win,  and he was helped out by his offense. Seaver allowed a two out single in the top of the first, but struck out Ron Santo looking to end the inning.

He then struck out Ernie Banks leading off the top of the second, and after a one out single, a pair of ground outs helped him get out of the inning unscathed.

Don Kessinger singled with one out in the third, and then came around to score on a Billy Williams RBI triple, giving Chicago a 1-0 lead. Seaver was able to get Santo to pop out to Jerry Buchek at second to limit the damage and end the inning.

Seaver then cruised the rest of the afternoon, allowing just the one run on eight hits and zero walks, while striking out five Cubs hitters over 7.1 innings of work.

On offense, Tommy Davis cracked a homer to get Seaver off the hook in the fourth. The Mets then gave him a lead to work with, as Ken Boyer and Ron Swoboda both drove in a run in the bottom of the sixth.

The Mets tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth, to help secure Seaver’s first career win. Ed Kranepool drove in one with a sacrifice fly, and Bud Harrelson tacked on a pair with a two run single.

Seaver ended up making his first of twelve National League All-Star team appearances, and took home the NL Rookie of the Year award after posting a 2.76 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 170 strikeouts over 251 innings during the 1967 season.

Seaver, of course, would go on to win 311 games over his 20-year big league career, and was a first-ballot Hall of Famer inducted in 1992. He ranks as the Mets’ all-time leader in wins (198), strikeouts (2541), and innings pitched (3054.2), amongst several other statistical categories.

Seaver passed away due to health complications including dementia last August 31st. The team is honoring him by wearing No. 41 patches on their uniforms this season, and the organization has scheduled their statue dedication for July 22 at Citi Field.