On April 5, 1983, Tom Seaver started on Opening Day at Shea Stadium for the New York Mets. “The Franchise” had returned, after an exile in Cincinnati that had lasted almost six years. The Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies that day by a 2-0 score, but that was anti-climactic.

More than 46,000 fans packed into the old ballpark in Queens to watch their favorite son return to the mound wearing orange and blue. Seaver declined the customary ride from the bullpen in the cart at the beginning of the game, instead walking down the right field line toward the home dugout to a deafening roar from the crowd.

When the game began, Seaver started his second tour of Mets duty by striking out Pete Rose. Tom would go on to toss six shutout innings, allowing three hits, walking one, and striking out five. Doug Sisk pitched the final three innings for the save.

Seaver, a native of Fresno, California, was 38 years old during the 1983 season. That year, on a Mets team that finished 68-94, he posted a 9-14 record with a 3.55 ERA. He pitched 231 innings, striking out 135 hitters while walking 86.

Seaver is the most accomplished player ever to play for the Mets. Here are some of his career achievements:

Personal Statistics

12-time all star

1967 NL Rookie of the Year

3 Cy Young Awards (1969, 1973, 1975)

Career WAR of 109.9

3 NL ERA titles (1970, 1971, 1973)

311 career wins

3 time leader in NL in WHIP (1971, 1973, 1977)

6 time leader in NL K/9 (1970, 1971, 1973, 1973, 1974, 1976)

5 time leader in NL in Strikeouts (1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976)

2 time leader in NL in shutouts (1977, 1979)

4 time leader in NL in FIP (1971, 1973, 1975, 1976)

MLB Ranking in Key Statistics

Wins- 18th with 311

Strikeouts- 6th with 3640

Innings pitched- 17th with 4782.2

WHIP- 23rd with 1.12

Opponent BA- 13th with .226

Ranking Among Mets Pitchers

Wins- 1st with 198

Innings pitched- 1st with 3045.2

Strikeouts- 1st with 2,541

Games started- 1st with 395

Complete games- 1st with 171

Shutouts- 1st with 44

Pitcher bWAR- 1st with 76.1

Although Seaver’s status as “The Franchise” was never questioned, he had a much more uncomfortable relationship with the Mets’ organization than one would expect.

In 1977, Seaver wanted to renegotiate his salary to have it more closely align with the higher salaries pitchers were earning through the newly-established free agency system. He had a difference of opinion on the matter with Mets Chairman of the Board M. Donald Grant, which resulted in Seaver’s being traded to the Reds.

After being reacquired from Cincinnati for the 1983 season, Seaver was left unprotected in a free agency compensation draft after the season. He was drafted by the Chicago White Sox, and won his 300th game in a White Sox uniform at Yankee Stadium.

After he retired, Seaver’s relationship with the Mets remained cool. His number was retired in 1988, but his presence in Queens was scarce. He took a broadcasting job with the Yankees in 1989, and worked in their booth through the 1993 season. After a hiatus from broadcasting, Seaver and the Mets made amends when the star pitcher agreed to work for the Mets on WPIX telecasts from 1999-2005.

George Thomas Seaver was elected to baseball’s Hall of Fame in 1992 with a then-record 98.84% of the votes. He attended the closing ceremonies at Shea Stadium in 2008 and the opening festivities at Citi Field in 2009. The 2013 All Star Game, played at Citi Field, was dedicated to the Mets icon. Citi Field now stands on 41 Seaver Way, and on Opening Day 2022, a statue of “The Franchise” will finally be unveiled at the ballpark.

Seaver had a strong interest in wine, and had a vineyard in California that famously produced two Cabernet Sauvignons, “Nancy’s Fancy” (named after his wife) and “GTS”. The Mets’ legend passed away on August 31, 2020 from dementia and complications of COVID-19. He was 75 years old at the time of his passing.

It’s nice to see the Mets embracing their history more earnestly under new owner, Steve Cohen. The statue unveiling on April 15 will be a significant moment for the franchise, as it honors its “Franchise”, number 41, Tom Seaver.