On Wednesday night, we learned that legendary New York Met Tom Seaver had passed. His passing has led to many wonderful and heartfelt tributes, such as this one written by MMO’s Marshall Field.
Seaver, especially to Mets fans, was bigger than the game. He represented an entire organization, and by extension, millions of fans. He symbolized the Mets’ transition from laughing stock to contender, from also-rans to formidable foe, from cellar dwellers to champions.
Seaver’s career accomplishments are vast. He won 311 games, had a career ERA of 2.86, struck out 3,640 batters, and was a 12-time all star. The mention of his name to Mets fans of his generation generally produces smiles, followed by stories the memories and moments of his career that meant the most to them.
I asked my colleagues at MMO to share their top ten Seaver moments and memories. The request produced an exchange that provided a little comfort on an otherwise difficult night. I’d like to share the moments and memories we discussed.
Number 10: Seaver wins the NL Rookie of the Year
Think about where the Mets were going into the 1967 season. In their first five years of existence, their combined record was 260-547. Then, a strange thing happened. In 1966, the Atlanta Braves had a drafting anomaly, making a young pitcher named George Thomas (Tom) Seaver available in a second draft for interested teams.
The Mets entered that draft, and were given the right to draft him. Seaver would debut in 1967, and post a record of 16-13 with a 2.76 ERA. He went on to win the NL Rookie of the Year. The Mets now had something. They had a young gun, who was turning heads. They had credibility, because they had Tom Seaver.
Number 9: Seaver wins three Cy Young Awards
Seaver won three Cy Young Awards, all as a Met, in 1969, 1973, and 1975. In 1969, he had a record of 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA. In 1973, his award-winning. numbers were 19-10, with an ERA of 2.08. In 1975, he won 22 while losing 8, with a 2.08 ERA. Two of his Cy Young seasons saw the Mets win the World Series (1969) and an NL pennant (1973). His leadership was on full display in both 1969 and 1973, as he dominated NL hitters to help lead his team deep into the post season.
Number 8 (combined): Seaver wins 300 games and pitches a no-hitter
Though neither of these milestones occurred while Seaver was a Met, they are achievements that are important to recognize. Ironically, Seaver’s 300th win came in New York, against the Yankees while he was pitching for the White Sox. Seaver’s only no-hitter came as a Cincinnati Red in 1978 against the St.Louis Cardinals. The Mets would have to wait 34 more years for a no-hitter. You can see the last out of his no-hitter in the video below.
Number 7: Seaver and Piazza close Shea Stadium in 2008
The Mets got this one right. Their home from 1964-2008 was to be torn down. Who better than Tom Seaver to throw the last pitch (to Mike Piazza) in the history of the place that was his office from 1967-1977 and again in 1983. Though Seaver and the Mets had an inexplicably tenuous relationship after Seaver’s playing career had ended, he came back to ceremonially bring the curtain down in the place he had such a big hand in building up.
Number 6: Seaver opens Citi Field
Six and a half months after closing Shea Stadium, Seaver and Piazza were at Opening Night of Citi Field. Seaver threw a pitch to Piazza, and a new era of Mets baseball had begun. There is not one other person who should have had that honor. The man who led the Mets as a player was now leading the organization into its new chapter.
Number 5: Game 5 of the 1973 NLCS
The Mets has won the NL East with an unbelievable run in September. They were taking on the Big Red Machine, in a classic David versus Goliath matchup. The Reds had won game four in extra innings, and now the season was on the line. Cue Tom Seaver. Seaver was not at his best that day (yes, playoff games were played during the day). However, he lasted eight and one third innings, allowing the mighty Reds just two runs (one earned) on seven hits. He walked five and struck out just four. He willed the Mets to victory. He did not have his best stuff, but he was not going to be denied. He wasn’t. And the Mets were NL champions.
Number 4: Seaver returns in 1983
After being traded to Cincinnati in 1977, it seemed Seaver’s time in blue and orange was over. But before the 1983 season, Frank Cashen swung a deal with the Reds to bring Seaver back for the 1983 season. Seaver warmed up in the bullpen before the opener against the Phillies, then walked from the bullpen to the dugout to the thunderous ovation. Tom was home. Past sins (of the Mets) were temporarily forgiven. All was well in Mets’ world, at least until the Mets’ next gaffe of leaving him unprotected in an off season draft, which led to his departure to Chicago.
Number 3: Seaver is enshrined in Cooperstown
In 1992, Seaver was elected to the Hall of Fame. At the time, his 98.8 percent of the vote was the highest in history. He would go in a New York Met, the first and only (at the time) to do so. Seaver helped give the Mets their first World Series title, and now he gave them their first presence in Cooperstown.
Number 2: Seaver strikes out 19
On April 22nd, 1970, Seaver struck out 19 San Diego Padres, including the last 10 in a row in a game the Mets won 2-1. That was the kind of domination Seaver was capable of, and why every start was must-see tv. He allowed just two hits in the game.
Number 1 (tie): Game 4 of the 1969 World Series and the “Imperfect Game“
After losing game one of the 1969 World Series, Seaver got the ball for game four. He had the chance to give the Mets a commanding three games to one lead in the series, and he did just that. He pitched 10 innings (imagine that today!), allowing just one run on six hits while striking out six. He wasn’t going to lose twice in the series, and he put the Mets on his back until they could scratch out a tenth-inning run to seal the win.
The “Imperfect Game” is legendary for many reasons. In July of 1969, the Mets were just starting to show the baseball world that they were serious contenders. The division-leading Cubs were in town, and Seaver was brilliant in the July 9th game. He was making a statement, as he often did for the Mets. He was mowing the Cubs down with relative ease. He had a perfect game going with one out in the ninth inning, when light-hitting Jimmy Qualls stepped to the plate. The perfect game became slightly imperfect. But the season was on its way to becoming the most remarkable in franchise history, driven in large part, as many positive things were, by Tom Seaver.
Rest In Peace, Tom Seaver, “The Franchise”.
