New York Mets legend Tom Seaver passes away at 75

Tom Seaver, the greatest player in New York Mets history, has passed away. He was 75 years old.

On Wednesday, the baseball world received sad news. New York Mets legend Tom Seaver had passed away in his sleep early on Monday due to complications from Lewy body dementia and COVID-19. He was 75 years old.

Seaver did not come to the Mets in the traditional manner. He had been selected by the Braves with the 20th overall selection in the 1966 MLB Draft, but his signing was nullified because it broke the college rules at the time. Meanwhile, the University of Southern California had ruled him ineligible because he had signed for a $40,000 bonus.

Commissioner William Eckert then made him available to any club that would match his original contract, which the Mets, Phillies, and Indians were willing to do. The Mets won the drawing, and signed Seaver for a $50,000 bonus.

That would be the best $50,000 the Mets ever spent. Seaver became a star as a rookie in 1967, making the All Star Game and winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. Just two years later, Seaver would win the Cy Young award and finish second in the MVP voting as the ace of the Miracle Mets who shocked the world by winning the 1969 World Series over the heavily favored Orioles.

Seaver would leave New York in 1977, traded away to the Reds in a deal that lives on in infamy to this day. He had a solid six year run in Cincinnati before being traded back to New York, where it was expected that he would end his career.

However, after the Mets left him available in the free agent compensation pool, thinking that no team would select the aging star, he went to Chicago. After two years with the White Sox, he ended his career in Boston, a part of the team that would lose the 1986 World Series to the Mets.

Seaver had a thoroughly impressive career. In his 20 seasons, he posted a 311-205 record with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.121 WHiP, striking out 3640 batters. He was a 12 time All Star and won three NL Cy Young awards. Seaver led the league in strikeouts five times, and in wins and ERA three times each.

He threw five one hitters with the Mets, once coming two outs away from a perfect game before a Jim Qualls single broke up his bid. Seaver did finally get his no hitter, but it was with the Reds in 1978.

His impressive legacy led to his eventual enshrinement in Cooperstown. When he was elected in 1992, his 98.8% of the vote was the best in history at the time. It was a fitting tribute to a player nicknamed ‘The Franchise,’ the first true star in Mets history.

New York Mets legend Tom Seaver has passed away. Our condolences go out to his friends and family.