Last Updated: May 2nd, 2024 by Michael Schatz
Tom Seaver was one of the greatest to ever step foot on the mound. Known as “Tom Terrific,” Seaver’s journey through the major leagues was nothing short of spectacular, earning him a spot in the hearts of fans and a permanent place in baseball history.
Join us as we revisit some of Tom Seaver’s milestones that cemented his status as one of the greatest pitchers to ever lace them up.
1967 National League Rookie of the Year
Tom Seaver burst onto the scene in 1967, snagging the National League Rookie of the Year and immediately announcing himself as a force to be reckoned with on the mound. He won an impressive 16 games and finished with a 2.76 ERA and a remarkable 18 complete games. He was also named to his first All-Star team and finished 22nd in the MVP voting.
All at the age of 22.
The Miracle Mets: 1969 World Series Champion
Tom Seaver’s performance in the 1969 season is the stuff of legend among Mets fans. He anchored the pitching staff of the “Miracle Mets,” a team that went from underdogs to World Series champions.
Seaver went 25-7 with a 2.21 ERA. Those numbers earned him his first Cy Young Award. In Game 4 of the World Series against the Orioles, Seaver earned the win after pitching a 10-inning complete game.
Tom Terrific: Three-Time Cy Young Winner
Tom Seaver won three Cy Young Awards (1969, 1973, 1975). His 1975 win was made even more impressive by the fact the Mets missed out on the playoffs. They finished that season 82-80, 22 of which were Seaver wins.
A Storied 1978 No-Hitter
After having two no-hitters broken up in the ninth inning, Tom Seaver finally made history on June 16, 1978, when, pitching for the Cincinnati Reds, he no-hit the St. Louis Cardinals. Some notable Cardinals in that game were Lou Brock, Garry Templeton, and Keith Hernandez.
Seaver’s 300th Victory
On August 4, 1985, while playing for the Chicago White Sox, Tom Seaver joined the exclusive 300 Win Club. And he did so in style. He reached the milestone in New York, throwing a complete game against the Yankees in Yankee Stadium, giving up only one run while striking out 7.
Master of the Mound: 3,640 Career Strikeouts
Tom Seaver joined another exclusive club on August 18, 1981, when he struck out Keith Hernandez in the third inning. That K was the 3,000th of his career.
When it was all said and done, Seaver would have 3,640 strikeouts, good for sixth on the all-time list.
The 19 Strikeout Performance in 1970
On April 22, 1970, Tom Seaver had his A-game working. While his complete game win against the Padres was impressive, what was more impressive was how he did it. He struck out 19 Padres that day, including the final 10 batters he faced.
The 10 straight strikeouts remain the all-time record.
“The Franchise”: Seaver’s Mets Legacy and Number Retirement
Tom Seaver, the heart and soul of the Mets, earned his nickname “The Franchise” for transforming the team into champions. His number 41 jersey was retired by the Mets in 1988, a rare honor that etched his legacy into the fabric of the team forever. Seaver’s impact went beyond the pitcher’s mound; he epitomized leadership and excellence, helping the Mets clinch their miraculous 1969 World Series victory.
Baseball Hall of Fame Induction: An Overwhelming Consensus
In 1992, Tom Seaver earned his spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame with an astonishing 98.84% of the vote, a record at the time. It was a testament to his undeniable impact on the game, underscoring his status as one of baseball’s all-time great pitchers.
He would finish his career with 311 wins, a 2.86 ERA, 3,640 strikeouts, 3 Cy Youngs, a Rookie of the Year, 12 All-Star Game appearances and a World Series championship.
Seaver The Winemaker
After walking away from the game he dominated over the course of his 20-year career, Tom Seaver set his sights on a new endeavor: wine.
Post-retirement, he shifted focus to his vineyard in California, channeling the same passion and precision into winemaking that he once did into pitching.