Tom Seaver

George Thomas Seaver (born November 17, 1944), nicknamed Tom Terrific and The Franchise, is an American former professional baseball player, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox, from 1967 to 1986. He played a significant role in the Mets' victory in the 1969 World Series.

Tom Seaver
Pitcher
Born: (1944-11-17) November 17, 1944
Fresno, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 13, 1967, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
September 19, 1986, for the Boston Red Sox
MLB statistics
Win–loss record311–205
Earned run average2.86
Strikeouts3,640
Teams
Career highlights and awards
Member of the National
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction1992
Vote98.84% (first ballot)

With the Mets, Seaver won the National League (NL)'s Rookie of the Year Award in 1967, and won three NL Cy Young Awards as the league's best pitcher. He is a 12-time All-Star. Seaver is the Mets' all-time leader in wins, and he threw a no-hitter in 1978. During a 20-year MLB career, he compiled 311 wins, 3,640 strikeouts, 61 shutouts, and a 2.86 earned run average.

In 1992, Seaver was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame by the highest percentage of votes ever recorded at the time.[note 1] Along with Mike Piazza, he is one of two players wearing a New York Mets hat on his plaque in the Hall of Fame. Seaver is also a member of the New York Mets Hall of Fame and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame. In 2019, the Mets renamed 126th Street in front of Citi Field to Seaver Way. The stadium's address is now 41 Seaver Way, a tribute to the No. 41 that Seaver wore during his career.[1][2]

Early life

Tom Seaver was born in Fresno, California, to Betty Lee (née Cline) and Charles Henry Seaver.[3] He attended Fresno High School and was a pitcher for the school's baseball team.[4] Seaver compensated for his lack of size and strength by developing great control on the mound. Despite being an All-City basketball player, he hoped to play baseball in college. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve on June 28, 1962. He served with AIRFMFPAC 29 Palms, California, through July 1963.[5] After six months of active duty in the Reserve, Seaver enrolled at Fresno City College.[4]

The University of Southern California (USC) recruited Seaver to play college baseball for the USC Trojans. Unsure as to whether Seaver was worthy of a scholarship, he was sent to pitch for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1964. After a stellar season – in which he pitched and won a game in the national tournament with a grand slam – he was awarded a scholarship to USC. As a sophomore, Seaver posted a 10–2 record, and he was drafted in the 10th round of the 1965 Major League Baseball draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Seaver asked for $70,000, however, the Dodgers passed.[6]

In 1966, Seaver signed a professional contract with the Atlanta Braves, who had drafted him in the first round of the secondary January draft (20th overall). However, the contract was voided by Baseball Commissioner William Eckert because his college team had played two exhibition games that year (although Seaver himself hadn't played). Seaver then intended to finish the college season, but because he had signed a pro contract, the NCAA ruled him ineligible. After Seaver's father complained to Eckert about the unfairness of the situation, and threatened a lawsuit, Eckert ruled that other teams could match the Braves' offer.[6] The Mets were subsequently awarded his signing rights in a lottery drawing among the three teams (the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians being the two others) that were willing to match the Braves' terms.[7]

Professional playing career

Minor Leagues (1966)

In 1966, Seaver was 12–12 with a 3.13 ERA pitching in Class AAA with the Jacksonville Suns of the International League.[8]

New York Mets (1967–1977)

After Seaver spent one season with the Jacksonville Suns in 1966, he then made the team with the New York Mets in 1967. He was named to the 1967 All-Star Game, and got the save by pitching a scoreless 15th inning.[9] In his rookie season, Seaver was 16–13 for the last-place Mets, with 18 complete games, 170 strikeouts, and a 2.76 earned run average, all Mets' records to that point. Seaver was named the 1967 National League Rookie of the Year.[10]

Seaver started for the Mets on Opening Day in 1968.[11] He won 16 games again during that season, and recorded over 200 strikeouts for the first of nine consecutive seasons, but the Mets moved up only one spot in the standings, to ninth.[12] In 1969, Seaver won a league-high 25 games and his first National League Cy Young Award. He also finished runner-up to Willie McCovey for the League's Most Valuable Player Award.[13]

In front of a crowd of over 59,000 at New York's Shea Stadium on July 9, Seaver threw ​8 1⁄3 perfect innings against the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Rookie backup outfielder Jim Qualls broke up Seaver's bid for a perfect game when he lined a clean single to left field.[14]

In the 1969 National League Championship Series, Seaver outlasted Atlanta's Phil Niekro in the first game a 9–5 victory. Seaver was also the starter for Game One of the 1969 World Series, but lost a 4–1 decision to the Baltimore Orioles' Mike Cuellar. Seaver then pitched a 10-inning complete game for a 2–1 win in Game Four. The "Miracle Mets" won the series.[4] At year's end, Seaver was presented with the Hickok Belt as the top professional athlete of the year and Sports Illustrated magazine's "Sportsman of the Year" award.[15][16]

On April 22, 1970, Seaver set a major league record by striking out the final 10 batters of the game in a 2–1 victory over the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium. Al Ferrara, who had homered in the second inning for the Padres' run, was the final strikeout victim of the game. In addition to his 10 consecutive strikeouts, Seaver tied Steve Carlton's major league record, at the time, with 19 strikeouts in a nine-inning game.[17] The Mets also won the game in which Carlton struck out 19, with Carlton victimized by Ron Swoboda's pair of 2-run homers in a 4–3 Mets' victory in St. Louis on September 15, 1969. (The record was later eclipsed by 20-strikeout games by Kerry Wood, Randy Johnson, Max Scherzer, and twice by Roger Clemens.) By mid-August, Seaver's record stood at 17–6 and he seemed well on his way to a second consecutive 20-victory season. But he only won one of his last ten starts, including four on short rest, to finish 18–12. Nonetheless, Seaver led the National League in both earned run average and strikeouts.

Seaver at Shea Stadium, 1974

In 1971, Seaver led the league in earned run average (1.76) and strikeouts (289 in 286 innings) while going 20–10. However, he finished second in the Cy Young balloting to Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs, due to Jenkins' league-leading 24 wins, 325 innings pitched, and exceptional control numbers.[18]

Seaver had four more 20-win seasons (20 in 1971, 21 in 1972, 22 in 1975, and 21 in 1977). He won two more Cy Young Awards (1973 and 1975, both with the Mets). During his tenure with the Mets, Seaver made 108 starts in which he pitched nine or more innings and allowed one run or less. His record in those starts was 93–3 with 12 no-decisions. In seven of the 12 no-decisions, he pitched 10 or more innings. In the 12 no-decisions, he pitched a total of 117 innings, allowing 56 hits and five earned runs, compiling a 0.38 ERA.

Between 1970 and 1976, Seaver led the National League in strikeouts five times, finishing second in 1972 and third in 1974. Seaver also won three earned run average titles as a Met. Two famous quotes about Seaver are attributed to Reggie Jackson: "Blind men come to the park just to hear him pitch." The second was in the 1973 World series, with the Mets up 3 games to 2, and poised to win their second championship. Seaver started the game, but did not have his "arm" that day, and lost the game. Jackson is reported to have said "Seaver pitched with his heart that day." Seaver was perhaps the foremost latter-day exponent of "drop and drive" overhand delivery, but his powerful legs protected his arm, and ensured his longevity.

Midnight Massacre

By 1977, free agency had begun and contract negotiations between Mets' ownership and Seaver were not going well. Seaver wanted to renegotiate his contract to bring his salary in line with what other top pitchers were making, but chairman of the board M. Donald Grant, who by that time had been given carte blanche by Met management to do what he wished, refused to budge. Longtime New York Daily News columnist Dick Young regularly wrote negative columns about Seaver's "greedy" demands. As for Seaver, he attempted to resolve the impasse by going to team owner Lorinda de Roulet, who along with general manager Joe McDonald, had negotiated in principle a three-year contract extension by mid-June. But before the contract could be signed, Young wrote an unattributed story in the Daily News claiming that Seaver was being goaded by his wife to ask for more money because she was jealous of the fact that Nolan Ryan was making more money with the California Angels. Upon being informed of the story, Seaver informed de Roulet that he immediately wanted out, and asked McDonald to immediately trade him, feeling that he could not co-exist with Grant.[19]

In one of two trades that New York's sports reporters dubbed "the Midnight Massacre" (the other involved struggling outfielder Dave Kingman), Seaver was traded to the Cincinnati Reds at the trading deadline, June 15, 1977 for pitcher Pat Zachry, minor league outfielder Steve Henderson, infielder Doug Flynn, and minor league outfielder Dan Norman.[20]

Cincinnati Reds (1977–1982)

Seaver went 14–3 with Cincinnati and won 21 games that season, including an emotional 5–1 win over the Mets in his return to Shea Stadium. Seaver struck out 11 in the return, and also hit a double. He also received a lengthy ovation at the 1977 All-Star Game, which was held in New York's Yankee Stadium. His departure from New York sparked sustained negative fan reaction, as the Mets became the league's worst team, finishing in last place the next three seasons. Combined with the Yankees' resurgence in the market, attendance dipped in 1978, and plunged in 1979 to 9,740 per game. M. Donald Grant was fired after the 1978 season, and Joe McDonald was fired after the 1979 season following a sale of the team to publishing magnate Nelson Doubleday, Jr..[21] In a sardonic nod to the general manager, Shea Stadium acquired the nickname "Grant's Tomb".[22]

After having thrown five one-hitters for the Mets, 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.[23]

He led the Cincinnati pitching staff in 1979, when the Reds won the Western Division, and again in the strike-shortened 1981 season, when the Reds had the best record in the major leagues. In the latter season, Seaver, with his sterling 14–2 performance, was a close runner-up to Fernando Valenzuela for the 1981 Cy Young Award. (Seaver had finished third and fourth in two other previous years.) In 1981, during one of his two losses, Seaver recorded his 3,000th strikeout against Keith Hernandez of the St. Louis Cardinals. He suffered through an injury-ridden 1982 campaign, finishing 5–13.[24]

In six seasons with the Reds, Seaver was 75–46 with a 3.18 ERA and 42 complete games in 158 starts.[25]

Return to Mets (1983)

On December 16, 1982, Seaver was traded back to the Mets, for Charlie Puleo, Lloyd McClendon, and Jason Felice.[26] On April 5, 1983, he tied Walter Johnson's major league record of 14 Opening Day starts, shutting out the Philadelphia Phillies for six innings in a 2–0 Mets win. He had a 9–14 record that season.[27] The Mets exercised an option on Seaver's contract worth $750,000 for the 1984 season.[28] Overall, in 12 seasons with the Mets, Seaver was 198–124 with a 2.57 ERA in 3,045 innings with 171 complete games, winning three Cy Young awards, the 1969 World Series and the 1967 NL Rookie of the Year Award.[25]

Chicago White Sox (1984–1986)

On January 20, 1984, the Chicago White Sox claimed Seaver from the Mets in a free-agent compensation draft.[29] The Mets, especially general manager Frank Cashen, had incorrectly assumed that no one would pursue a high-salaried, 39-year-old starting pitcher, and left him off the protected list.

Seaver pitched two and a half seasons in Chicago and recorded his last shutout on July 19, 1985 against the visiting Indians. In an anomaly, Seaver won two games on May 9, 1984; he pitched the 25th and final inning of a game suspended the day before, picking up the win in relief against the Milwaukee Brewers, before starting and winning the day's regularly scheduled game, also facing the Brewers.

On August 4, 1985, Seaver recorded his 300th victory at Yankee Stadium against the Yankees, throwing a complete game 4–1 victory.[30]

In three seasons with the White Sox, Seaver was 33–28 with a 3.67 ERA and 17 complete games in 81 appearances.[25]

Boston Red Sox (1986)

Seaver started on Opening Day for the 16th and final time of his career in 1986.[31] The White Sox traded Seaver to the Boston Red Sox for Steve Lyons in mid-season.[32] Seaver's 311th and final win came on August 18, 1986, against the Minnesota Twins.

A knee injury prevented Seaver from appearing against the Mets in the 1986 World Series as a member of the Red Sox, but he received among the loudest ovations during player introductions prior to Game 1. Roger Clemens attributes the time he shared with Seaver as 1986 Red Sox teammates as instrumental in helping him make the transition from thrower to pitcher. The Red Sox did not offer Seaver a contract to his liking for the 1987 season. His 1986 salary was $1 million; the Red Sox offered $500,000, which Seaver declined. When no new contract agreement was reached, Seaver was granted free agency on November 12, 1986.

Seaver was 5–7 with a 3.80 ERA in 16 starts with Boston in 1986.[25]

In 1987, the Mets starting rotation was decimated by injury and they sought help from Seaver. Though no contract was signed, Seaver joined the club on June 6, and was hit hard in an exhibition game against the Triple-A Tidewater Tides on June 11. After similar poor outings on the June 16 and 20, he announced his retirement, saying that, "there were no more pitches in this 42-year-old arm that were competitive. I've used them all up."[33]

Career statistics

Only Seaver and Walter Johnson have 300 wins, 3,000 strikeouts, and an under 3.00 ERA. At the time of his retirement, Seaver was third on the all-time strikeout list (3,640), trailing only his former teammate Nolan Ryan and Steve Carlton. No major league pitcher has matched his feat of striking out ten consecutive batters.[17] His career average of 6.85 strikeouts per nine innings is fourth to Steve Carlton (7.1), Nolan Ryan (9.55), and Randy Johnson (10.6) of any Hall of Famer with at least 300 wins. Seaver's lifetime earned run average of 2.86 was tied for third among starting pitchers in the live-ball era, behind only Whitey Ford (2.73) and Sandy Koufax (2.76). He also holds the record for consecutive 200-strike-out seasons with nine (1968–1976). Seaver's 61 career shutouts are second only to Warren Spahn (63) in the live-ball era. His career win-loss record percentage of .603 is one of the highest of any Hall of Fame pitcher with 300 wins in the live-ball era, and his record of 7.84 hits per nine innings is second only to Nolan Ryan (6.56) for all Hall of Fame pitchers with at least 300 wins, and first among all Hall of Fame pitchers in any era with 300 wins, 3000 strikeouts, and a winning percentage of .600 or better.

W L PCT ERA G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER R HR BB SO WP HBP
311 205 .603 2.86 656 647 231 61 1 4783 3971 1521 1674 380 1390 3640 126 76

As a hitter, Seaver posted a .154 batting average (202-for-1315) with 99 runs, 28 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs, 86 RBI, 4 stolen bases and 108 bases on balls. Defensively, he recorded a .960 fielding percentage.[25]

Career honors
Tom Seaver's number 41 was retired by the New York Mets in 1988.

The Mets retired Seaver's uniform number 41 in 1988 in a Tom Seaver Day ceremony, making him the franchise's first player to be so honored.[34]

Seaver was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 7, 1992, with the then highest percentage of votes with 98.84%. He was named on 425 out of 430 ballots. Three of the five ballots that had omitted Seaver were blank, cast by writers protesting the Hall's decision to make Pete Rose ineligible for consideration. One ballot was sent by a writer who was recovering from open-heart surgery and failed to notice Seaver's name. The fifth "no" vote was cast by a writer who said he never voted for any player in their first year of eligibility.[35] Seaver is one of two players enshrined in the Hall of Fame with a Mets cap on his plaque, along with Mike Piazza. He was also inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in 1988, the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2003, and the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2006.

Seaver throws the ceremonial first pitch before the final game at Shea Stadium – September 28, 2008

In 1999, Seaver ranked 32nd on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players, the only player to have spent a majority of his career with the Mets to make the list. That year, he was also a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team. Baseball purists often compare him to Christy Mathewson for his combination of raw power, pinpoint control, intelligence, and intense scrutiny of his performance. Seaver was the foremost latter-day exponent of the "drop and drive" overhand delivery that utilized his powerful legs, took strain off his arm, and helped ensure his longevity. He always credited the training he received in the Mets' organization, citing the long careers of teammates Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan and Tug McGraw as further proof. Seaver could also help himself at the plate. A decent hitter and proficient bunter, Seaver hit 12 home runs during his career, along with a relatively solid lifetime average for a pitcher of .154.

Hank Aaron stated that Seaver was the toughest pitcher he ever faced. Seaver approached Aaron before his first All-Star Game in 1967 and asked Aaron for his autograph. Seaver felt the need to introduce himself to Aaron, as he was certain "Hammerin' Hank" would not know who he was. Aaron replied to Seaver, "Kid, I know who you are, and before your career is over, I guarantee you everyone in this stadium will, too."

On September 28, 2006, Seaver was chosen as the "Hometown Hero" for the Mets franchise by ESPN.[36] Seaver 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 Piazza.[37] He and Piazza then opened the Mets' new home, Citi Field, with the ceremonial first pitch on April 13, 2009.

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.[38] In 2019, the Mets renamed the street outside of Citi Field stadium to 41 Seaver Way in his honor.[39]

Broadcasting career
Seaver at the 2011 Hall of Fame induction parade

After retirement as a player, Seaver became a television color commentator, working variously for the Mets, the New York Yankees, and with Vin Scully in 1989 for NBC. Seaver replaced Joe Garagiola[40] as NBC's lead baseball color commentator, which led to him calling the 1989 All-Star Game and National League Championship Series. He worked as an analyst for Yankees' telecasts on WPIX from 1989 to 1993 and for Mets telecasts on WPIX from 1999 to 2005, making him one of three sportscasters to be regular announcers for both teams; the others are Fran Healy and Tim McCarver. He also worked as a part-time scout, and as a spring training pitching coach. Seaver's TV experience dates back to his playing career, when he was invited to serve as a World Series analyst for ABC in 1977 and for NBC in 1978, 1980, and 1982. Also while an active player, Seaver called the 1981 National League Division Series between Montreal and Philadelphia and that years's National League Championship Series alongside Dick Enberg for NBC.

Personal life and health

Seaver married Nancy Lynn McIntyre on June 9, 1966. They are parents of two daughters, Sarah and Annie. They live in Calistoga, California, where he started his own 3.5-acre (14,000 m2) vineyard, Seaver Family Vineyards,[41] on his 116-acre (0.47 km2) estate in 2002.[42] His first vintage was produced in 2005.[43][44][45] He presented his two cabernets, "Nancy's Fancy" and "GTS," at an April 2010 wine-tasting event in SoHo, to positive reviews.[46]

His media nickname referred to the cartoon character Tom Terrific.

In 2013, it was reported that Seaver suffered from memory loss — not even remembering long term acquaintances; "sleep disorder, nausea, and a general overall feeling of chemical imbalance."[47][48] According to former teammate Bud Harrelson, Seaver was "otherwise doing well."[49] On March 7, 2019, Seaver's family announced that he was suffering from Alzheimer's dementia and retiring from public life.[50]

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See also

Footnotes
  1. Seaver received 98.84%. This was subsequently surpassed in 2016 by Ken Griffey Jr. with 99.32% and Mariano Rivera in 2019 with 100%.

References
  1. Madden, Bill (June 27, 2019). "Mets' '41 Seaver Way' ceremony was a welcome distraction this week". nydailynews.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  2. Mitchell, Houston (June 28, 2019). "Morning Briefing: Mets honor Tom Seaver". latimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 25, 2019.
  3. "Baseball Hall Of Fame". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  4. "Tom Seaver – Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  5. Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame, Retrieved July 1, 2007
  6. Golenbock, Peter (2002). Amazin': The Miraculous History of New York's most Beloved Baseball Team. New York: St. Martin's Griffin. p. 187. ISBN 0-312-30992-9.
  7. Lukehart, Jason (February 24, 2016). "Tom Seaver was almost on the Cleveland Indians instead of the Mets – Let's Go Tribe". Letsgotribe.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  8. "Tom Seaver Minor Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com.
  9. "1967 All-Star Game Box Score, July 11". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  10. "1967 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  11. Simon, Andrew (May 24, 2018). "Most Opening Day starts by a pitcher". MLB.com. Retrieved March 9, 2019.
  12. "1968 New York Mets Statistics". baseball-reference.com. Sports Reference, LLC. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  13. Madden, Bill. "Madden: Remembering Willie McCovey and the time Tom Seaver figured out how to strike out the man known as 'Stretch'". New York Daily News. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  14. Marcus, Steven. "Jimmy Qualls was a most unlikely player to end Tom Seaver's perfect game". newsday.com. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  15. "Hickock Belt Tom Seaver". Hickokbelt.com. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  16. Leggett, William (December 22, 1969). "TOM SEAVER – 12.22.69". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  17. "Box Score of 19-strikeout game, April 22, 1970". Baseball-reference.com. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  18. Durso, Joseph (November 4, 1971). "Cubs' Jenkins Voted Cy Young Award". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  19. Madden, Bill (June 17, 2007). "The true story of The Midnight Massacre – How Tom Seaver was run out of town 30 years ago". New York Daily News. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  20. Madden, Bill. "The true story of The Midnight Massacre," Daily News (New York City), Sunday, June 17, 2007. Retrieved April 21, 2020
  21. "New York Mets Attendance Records by Baseball Almanac". Baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  22. Mallozzi, Vincent M. (June 18, 2006). "Recalling the Time of the Signs at Shea". New York Times. Retrieved June 3, 2012.
  23. "June 16, 1978: Tom Terrific! Seaver tosses only no-hitter – Society for American Baseball Research". sabr.org. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  24. "Tom Seaver Stats, Fantasy & News". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  25. "Tom Seaver Stats". Baseball-Reference.com.
  26. "Tom Seaver, a three-time Cy Young Award winner, returned..." Upi.com. December 16, 1982. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  27. "Tom Seaver Stats, Fantasy & News". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  28. Anderson, Dave (November 3, 1983). "The 'Unofficial' Pitching Coach". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  29. Durso, Joseph (January 21, 1984). "White Sox Take Seaver; Mets Are Stunned". The New York Times. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  30. "Win No. 300 for Seaver meant to be". Daily Record. August 5, 1985. p. 27. Retrieved March 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  31. Simon, Andrew (February 18, 2019). "Most Opening Day starts by a pitcher". MLB.com. Retrieved March 8, 2019.
  32. "Sports Log". The Boston Globe. June 30, 1986. p. 30. Retrieved March 8, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. Lang, Jack. "PITCHES 'USED ALL UP,' SEAVER CALLS IT QUITS". chicagotribune.com. New York Daily News. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  34. "Mets Retired Numbers". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, LP. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  35. "Ripken is a 100% Hall of Famer". USA Today. December 22, 2006.
  36. ""DHL Presents Major League Baseball Hometown Heroes" winners revealed". mlb.com. MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  37. Robinson, Joshua (September 28, 2008). "Immersed in Gloom, a Farewell to Shea Still Enchants". The New York Times. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  38. "Terrific time: Tom Seaver has some fun throwing the ceremonial first pitch at All-Star Game". Newsday. July 16, 2013. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  39. "Citi Field Street Renamed in Honor of 'Miracle Mets' Pitcher Tom Seaver". June 27, 2019.
  40. Martzke, Rudy (January 31, 1989). "NBC plans innovative ways to fill baseball void". USA Today. p. 3C.
  41. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 16, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  42. Asimov, Eric (December 28, 2005). "Warming Up in the Vineyard, Tom Terrific". The New York Times.
  43. Lindbloom, John (August 26, 2010). "St. Helena gets a taste of Seaver and Sinatra". St. Helena Star. Napa, California. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  44. James, Marty (October 8, 2009). "Tom's terrific life after baseball". Napa Valley Register. Napa, California. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  45. Madden, Bill (May 26, 2017). "Mets legend Tom Seaver says pitchers should 'learn to pitch' or they won't age well". New York Daily News. Calistoga, California. Retrieved May 27, 2017.
  46. Belson, Ken (April 26, 2010). "Seaver's Tales of Wine and Roses". The New York Times.
  47. Mets great and Hall of Fame pitcher Tom Seaver feeling better, winning his battle with Lyme disease New York Daily News March 15, 2013
  48. At 2013 MLB All-Star Game, Mets legend Tom Seaver, fighting back from Lyme disease and memory loss, ready for pitch New York Daily News July 9, 2013
  49. 40 years ago, the Mets did the unthinkable: They traded Tom Seaver Newsday June 10, 2017
  50. Adler, David (March 7, 2019). "Hall of Famer Seaver to retire from public life". MLB.com. MLB. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
Preceded by
Bob Forsch		 No-hitter pitcher
June 16, 1978		 Succeeded by
Ken Forsch
Preceded by
Joe Garagiola		 Lead color commentator, Major League Baseball on NBC
1989		 Succeeded by
Joe Morgan and Bob Uecker (in 1994)
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