George Thomas Seaver, perhaps best known to millions of NY Mets fans around the world as “The Franchise” and “Tom Terrific” has passed away at the age of 75.
Seaver passed peacefully in the early morning hours on Monday August 31st. According to family sources and the Baseball Hall of Fame, Seaver died peacefully at his home in Calistoga, California of complications from Lyme disease, dementia and COVID-19.
"We are heartbroken to share that our beloved husband and father has passed away," his family said in a statement. "We send our love out to his fans, as we mourn his loss with you."
Seaver came to the NY Mets in 1967 and had an immediate impact. As the face of the New York Mets from the moment he arrived in the majors, Seaver grew into one of the most recognizable players of the 1970s. After a very public and distasteful contract dispute with Mets General Manager M. Donald Grant, he was famously dealt on trading deadline of June 15th 1977, in what media and Mets fans described as “The Midnight Massacre” to the Cincinnati Reds for 4 players, Steve Henderson, Pat Zachary, Doug Flynn and minor leaguer Dan Norman. Fans fans then began referring to Shea Stadium as “Grant’s Tomb”. The Midnight Massacre was so called because another popular Met, 1st baseman Dave Kingman, was also traded that day to the San Diego Padres for infielder Bobby Valentine (who would later become the Mets Manager in the late 90’s) and pitcher Paul Seibert.
Seaver was very emotional speaking of the trade at the time. “It was time to move on,” “I got to go and play with Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Dave Concepcion.”
After having thrown five one-hitters for the Mets up to that point, including two games in which no-hit bids were broken up in the ninth inning, Seaver recorded a 4–0 no-hitter while pitching for the Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 16, 1978 at Riverfront Stadium. It was the only no-hitter of his professional career.
Seaver’s accomplishments as a Met are well known. He was a 12-time All-Star, 3-time Cy Young Award winner, and had a career 2.57 ERA in 12 seasons with New York. He is one of only two pitchers in history reach 300 wins, 3000 strikeouts and have a career ERA below 3.00.
"The Franchise" was elected to the Hall of Fame on January 7, 1992 with 98.84% of the vote which at the time was a record percentage for an inductee. Seaver also changed the mentality of the Mets from the lovable losers of the 1960s, to World Series champions in 1969.
The events that led to Seaver’s signing involved a lottery and a voided contract. Seaver had attended the University of Southern California and after an outstanding sophomore year he was drafted in the 10th round of the first ever MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers passed on signing him after Seaver asked for a signing bonus of $70,000. In January of 1966 Seaver was drafted by the Braves and a month later their farm team in Richmond signed him but it was after the season at USC had started. Although they were exhibition games in which Seaver did not appear the Commissioner of Baseball, William Eckert, voided the contract.
After Seavers father, Charles, threatened a lawsuit against MLB and Eckert (the NCAA had deemed him ineligible to return to his college team because he had signed a professional contract) Eckart relented and held a special lottery in which teams willing to match the Braves offer would be put into a hat and the winner drawn. The Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and Mets entered the lottery and on April 3, 1966 the Mets won the rights to Seaver and it soon became the saving of the franchise.
"Tom. Terrific" led the team to a World Championship in 1969 and the National League Pennant in 1973.
Seaver returned to the Mets in 1983 via a trade with the Reds but was left unprotected in that years draft and the Chicago White Sox took Seaver where he posted a 31-22 record oner the next 2 seasons, winning his 300th career game with Chicago on Aug. 4, 1985 against the NY Yankees at Yankee Stadium throwing a complete game in the 4-1 victory.
That off-season Chicago traded Seaver to the Boston Red Sox Seaver and started on Opening Day for the 16th and final time of his career in 1986 at the time an MLB record and finished the season 5–7 with a 3.80 ERA in 16 starts. Seaver was on the Red Sox roster for the 1986 World Series against the Mets he was unable to pitch in the series due to injuries.
Seaver retired and went onto broadcasting for several teams in the late 80’s and early 90’s, working in the Mets and Yankees broadcast booths and for time he was paired with Legendary Broadcaster Vince Scully on NBC.
The 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was dedicated to Seaver. He concluded the introduction of the starting lineup ceremonies by throwing out the ceremonial first pitch. Mets player David Wright participated. In 2019, the Mets renamed the street outside of Citi Field from 126th Street to Seaver Way and changed the ballpark's address to 41 Seaver Way, an homage to the number he wore throughout his career.
After retiring from baseball and his broadcasting duties he became a wine maker, starting Seaver Family Vineyards in his home state of California where he produced his first vintage in 2005. He made a return to Shea Stadium during the "Shea Goodbye" closing ceremony on September 28, 2008, where he threw out the final pitch in the history of the stadium to Retired Met catcher Mike Piazza.He and Piazza then opened the Mets' new home, Citi Field, with the ceremonial first pitch on April 13, 2009.
On March 7, 2019, Seaver's family announced that he was suffering from dementia and retiring from public life.
In a statement released on Twitter (@Mets) late yesterday, Principal owner Jeff Wilpon and his son Fred Wilpon, the team's Chief Operating Officer said:
"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Mets legend and Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Tom was nicknamed “The Franchise” and “Tom Terrific” because of how valuable he truly was to our organization and his loyal fans, as his #41 was the first player number retired by the organization in 1988. He was simply the greatest Mets player of all-time, and among the best to ever play the game which culminated with his near unanimous induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Beyond the multitudes of awards, records, accolades, World Series Championship, All-Star appearances, and just overall brilliance, we will always remember Tom for his passion and devotion to his family, the game of baseball, and his vineyard. Our thought sand prayers go out to his wife Nancy, daughters Sarah and Anne and four grandchildren, Thomas, William, Henry and Tobin.”
Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. issued the following statement regarding the passing Seaver
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Tom Seaver, one of the greatest pitchers of all-time. Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our National Pastime. He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season. After their improbable World Series Championship, Tom became a household name to baseball fans — a responsibility he carried out with distinction throughout his life. "On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my condolences to Tom's family, his admirers throughout our game, Mets fans, and the many people he touched."
Fellow Hall of Famer and Catcher Mike Piazza, the only other Met to have his player number (#31) retired by the team, tweeted on Wednesday night:
“Tom Seaver was a larger than life baseball Icon, he embodied all that is desired in a player and a man, dedicated, loyale, sincere and fiercely competitive,” “Showed strength and dignity during his recent suffering. He will be missed #Mets #TomSeaver.
On March 21, 2019, the Mets announced on Twitter that Citi Field's permanent address would be changed to 41 Seaver Way, in his honor.
