Tom Seaver
From BR Bullpen
George Thomas Seaver (Tom Terrific or The Franchise)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 206 lb.
- School University of Southern California
- Debut April 13, 1967
- Final Game September 19, 1986
- Born November 17, 1944 in Fresno, CA USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1992 BR page
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[edit] Biographical Information
"God is living in New York, and he's a Mets fan." - quip that made the rounds when Seaver ended up a Met and became a star
"Blind people come to the park just to listen to him pitch." - Reggie Jackson
Tom Seaver began his pro career under unusual circumstances. The Atlanta Braves signed him to a Richmond Braves contract for a reported $40,000 bonus in February 1966. Commissioner William Eckert nullified the contract because the signing broke the college rule of the time. However, USC had ruled Seaver ineligible, so Eckert made Seaver available to any club other than the Braves in a special drawing if that club would match the original contract terms. The Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, and New York Mets were willing to meet the original terms, with the Mets being drawn in the drawing. The Mets signed him to a Jacksonville Suns contract for a reported $50,000 bonus.
Seaver pitched a no-hitter on June 16, 1978 as a member of the Cincinnati Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals. He walked 3 and struck out 3 in the game. He also came within 2 outs of a perfect game on July 9, 1969 against the Cubs, but the effort was broken up by a Jim Qualls single and on September 24, 1975, also against the Cubs, when the no-hitter was broken up by a Joe Wallis bloop single with two outs in the ninth.
Seaver was one of the greatest pitchers in baseball during the 1960's and 1970's. In an era dominated by pitching, fans were treated to classic pitching match-ups of Seaver-Carlton, Seaver-Jenkins, Seaver-Gibson, Seaver-Marichal many times. With pinpoint control of his fastball and slider, Seaver dominated National League hitters for a decade and a half. Seaver went to the Chicago White Sox as a Free Agent compensation pick in 1984 and put in two effective seasons before finishing his career with the Boston Red Sox.
Seaver was one of many star players to come from the University of Southern California.
Players who hit well against him (minimum 50 plate appearances):
- Dave Concepcion .391 in 55 PA
- Willie Davis .389 in 111 PA
- Matty Alou .359 in 88 PA
Players who hit badly against him (minimum 50 plate appearances):
- Dal Maxvill .087 in 50 PA
- Bobby Bonds .118 in 58 PA
- Chris Speier .133 in 86 PA
Players with the most home runs against him:
- Rick Monday 11 in 104 PA
- Ron Cey 8 in 108 PA
- Darrell Evans 8 in 137 PA
- Willie Stargell 8 in 93 PA
Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 7, 1992 by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Of all the members of the Hall, he came closest to election by acclamation with 425 of 430 (98.84%) possible votes.
- 311 career wins
- He wrote a book-The Perfect Game.
Has been a television broadcaster for the New York Yankees from 1989 to 1993 and for the New York Mets since 1999.
Quote: "Pitching is getting yourself ready. It's your game plan, it's finding out what you have to do that day. It's making your body do the things you want it to do." Tom Seaver.
- First Baseball Card appearance 1967 Topps
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1967 NL Rookie of the Year Award
- 1967 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 12-time NL All-Star (1967-1973, 1975-1978 & 1981)
- 3-time NL Cy Young Award Winner (1969, 1973 & 1975)
- 3-time NL ERA Leader (1970, 1971 & 1973)
- 3-time NL Wins Leader (1969, 1975 & 1981)
- NL Winning Percentage Leader (1981)
- 5-time NL Strikeouts Leader (1970, 1971, 1973, 1975 & 1976)
- NL Complete Games Leader (1973)
- 2-time NL Shutouts Leader (1977 & 1979)
- 15 Win Seasons: 14 (1967-1973, 1975, 1977-1979, 1984 & 1985)
- 20 Win Seasons: 5 (1969, 1971, 1972, 1975 & 1977)
- 25 Win Seasons: 1 (1969)
- 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 16 (1967-1979 & 1983-1985)
- 200 Strikeouts Seasons: 10 (1968-1976 & 1978)
- Won a World Series with the New York Mets in 1969
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1992
| NL Rookie of the Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 1967 | 1968 |
| Tommy Helms | Tom Seaver | Johnny Bench |
| NL Cy Young Award | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1968 | 1969 | 1970 |
| Bob Gibson | Tom Seaver | Bob Gibson |
| 1972 | 1973 | 1974 |
| Steve Carlton | Tom Seaver | Mike Marshall |
| 1974 | 1975 | 1976 |
| Mike Marshall | Tom Seaver | Randy Jones |
[edit] Records Held
- Strikeouts, consecutive, 10, April 22, 1970
[edit] Further Reading
- Thomas Boswell: "Seasons of the Hill: Tom Terrific Comes Home" in Why Time Begins on Opening Day, Penguin Books, New York, 1984, pp. 146-148
- Tom Seaver Doubleheader: Then and Now The Southpaw
