#445-446 Tom Seaver

Tom, to sum up his career one can use a word not used much anymore; Terrific.....A New York Met icon from the start....Unshaken, triumphed with grace under the scrutiny of the NYC media hyperbole....sometime called the Franchise, or specifically the man who changed a franchise....his list of awards are what most pitchers only can dream of ....ROY of year 1967... Almost invincible on his way to Cy Young in 1969...reclaimed the award in 1973 and then 1975....forte was winning 20+ games a feat which he did five times....the last time, in 1977, was memorable because he was traded to the Reds midseason....trade made national headlines and was mentioned on TV soap operas  (I can't prove this but I remember seeing this on TV).... never was quite as good in the Queen City but did have an outstanding strike shortened season in 1981...most likely would have won 20 had the strike not occurred... interesting times thereafter...injury plagued and ineffective in 1982....Return to Mets in ’83, result a record similar Mickey Lolich’s year in NY 1976....then a two strong season with the White Sox....two games stand out, 10 consecutive strikeouts vs Padres 1970 and pitching 8 1/3 perfect innings against Cubbies...five time strikeout leader, three time ERA....hung cleats up 1986....personable and mild mannered....mandatory admission to HOF with marks 311 wins and 3000 strikeouts....and married to same woman since 1966....named to All star team 12 times which spanned over three decades.