R.I.P. TOM TERRIFIC "The Franchise"

Sad news about the passing of Tom Seaver . The baseball world lost a class guy and one of the greatest pitchers ever to toe the rubber. I was never a Met fan but always rooted for Seaver , he was so much fun to watch, the long stride that would leave a dirt stain on his right knee as it touched the ground during his delivery. Always would man up after a game and gave thoughtful interviews. Loved him in the booth as well, good insights and good humor with an unmistakable laugh. A true ACE of a pitcher and as a man. GOD bless

He was my first sports hero ... I became a Mets fan because of his pitching in 1973, and was devastated when he was traded in '77. .He was truly The Franchise, and his legacy will live on forever.

Holy crap! He was only 75. He was a great pitcher and a great athlete but more than that he was a gentleman.

Here's a good article in the Washington Post about Seaver:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/to ... d=msedgntp

As an aside, I've long thought that Seaver's SOM cards never truly captured his true greatness and pitching dominance.

A legend. Just exuded class.

Here's a good article in the Washington Post about Seaver:

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/to ... d=msedgntp

As an aside, I've long thought that Seaver's SOM cards never truly captured his true greatness and pitching dominance.

Great article so I didn't want to bump it down, but wanted to agree on all counts--class person and also was larger than life on the mound during his pitching days, but in SOM he is no Charlie Sweeney or Silver King, unfortunately.

I was a huge Seaver fan throughout his career. Really liked who he was and how he was very much a pitcher who could really think well and deeply admired his work ethic.

Strat really screwed up his 1971 card - check out the ballpark homeruns he gives up vs righties, check out what he gave up that year at home and on the road on baseball reference and tell me he deserves three ballpark effect homerun chances vs righties. Maybe we could get a campaign together to get SOM to fix the card, now that Hal Richman no longer runs the company with an iron hand.

I was devastated when I learned of his dementia a few years ago. But given that he had that awful scourge, I am actually glad for him that he passed so soon. That would have been my preference for myself if I were in his shoes. Still, a sad day.

Life long Mets fan, he was my all time favorite player.
Gary Carter a close 2nd.

Cried my eyes out when he got traded to the Reds.

Then had the opportunity to be, opening day, when they got him back in 1983.

Coaches in my past would point to him and Nolan Ryan, when learning how to use your legs while pitching.

IN 1971 Seaver gave up 13 home runs in 143 innings pitched against righties. 0.82 Home runs per 9 innings, the league average in 1971 was 0.70 Home Runs per 9 innings. More than 20 starting pitchers in 1971 gave up fewer home runs per 9 innings OVERALL than Seaver did in 1971 and Seaver gave up Home Runs to righties at nearly 3 times the rate of lefties
. The issue was he gave mostly solo shots up and wouldn't walk anybody so it's the walk on the right side I think shouldn't be there and makes the card worse than he pitched. But league OBP that year was .319 so the card is the victim of a pitcher's year.
Pitchers with fewer Home runs per 9 innings in 1971 - Total (versus just righties Seaver falls into the 50's)
1 Don Sutton
2 Dave Roberts*
3 Steve Arlin
4 Gary Nolan
5 Ken Forsch
6 Jack Billingham
7 Don Wilson
8 Mel Stottlemyre
9 Andy Messersmith
10 Ernie McAnally
11 Rudy May*
12 Bart Johnson
13 Bob Gibson
14 Dick Drago
15 Al Downing*
16 Joe Coleman
17 Tom Bradley
18 Vida Blue*
19 Clyde Wright*
20 Wilbur Wood*
21 Bill Stoneman