Tom Seaver in the Sixties

On Tom Seaver's 65th birthday let us look back at his Amazing early days in the nineteen sixties.

George Thomas Seaver was born November 17, 1944 in Fresno, California. He was a star All City basketball player in high school but wanted to play baseball in college. He joined the United States Marine Corps Reserves in June 28, 1962, serving for one year in California and six months active duty. He went to Fresno City College and already had great control on the mound. As he grew he got stronger and threw harder. The next year, he was recruited to pitch for the University of Southern California. As a sophomore, Seaver went 10-2 record and got drafted by the Dodgers. He asked for $70,000, and the Dodgers passed.

In 1966, he signed a contract with the Atlanta Braves, who had drafted him number one. Baseball Commissioner William Eckert voided the contract due to the fact that his college team had played two exhibition games. Seaver wanted to finish the college season, but because he had signed a pro-contract, the NCAA ruled him ineligble. Seaver's father complained to Eckert about the unfairness of the situation, and threatened with a lawsuit. The Commissioner ruled that other teams could match the Braves' offer. The Phillies, Indians & Mets were willing to match it. A lottery was held and the winner won Seavers rights, the Mets were the winners.

He spent one season in the International League with the Jacksonville Suns where he won a championship with Nolan Ryan on the sam staff. The next year he was brought up to the Mets staff in 1967. He made his MLB debut on April 13, 1967 getting no decision in the 3-2 Mets win. He got his first win, in his next outing beating the Cubs. Tom went into the 8th inning allowing only one run, eight hits while striking out five. In his next outing he beat the Cubs again in Chicago, this time allowing one run in ten innings pitched. By the All Star break he was 8-5 with a 2.65 amongst the best in the league. He was picked to represent the Mets at the midsummer classic.

In the 1967 ALL star Game Seaver came into the game in the bottom of the 15th inning just as the NL took a 2-1 lead. Seaver got Tony Conigliaro to fly out and after walking Carl Yastrzemski he retired Bill Freehan & Ken Berry earning the save for the National League. Tom finished off the year winning the NL Rookie of the Year Award having the best season of any Met in their short six year history. Seaver was 16- 13 with 18 complete games, 170 strikeouts, and a 2.76 E.R.A., all Mets records, he pitched 251 innings with two shut outs.

In 1968 he struggled out of the gate going 2-5 with three no decisions into May although he pitched well. In his second start he thew ten innings allowing only two hits but not getting a decision in Houston. He went 14-7 the rest of the way, having a great June where he went 5-0. He finished the year winning 16 games again, and recorded over 200 strikeouts for the first of what would be nine consecutive seasons. He posted the leagues 7th best ERA at 2.20, throwing five shut outs & 14 complete games.

In 1969, Seaver was out right spectacular. He became the Mets first true superstar and the best pitcher in baseball. Seaver won a league-high 25 games and his first National League Cy Young Award. He posted a 2.20 ERA (4th best in the league) pitched 273 innings, with five shutouts & 18 complete games. He had another great June going 5-0 on s streak where he won eight straight de

cisions and 13 out of 14 from mid May.

On July 9, before a crowd of over 59,000 at Shea Stadium, Seaver threw 8 1/3 perfect innings against the division-leading Chicago Cubs. Then, rookie backup outfielder Jimmy Qualls lined a clean single to left field, breaking up Seaver's perfect game. He retired the next two batters to complete the 4-0 one-hit shutout.

From August 8th until the end of the season he won every decision going 10-0. He threw eight complete games which was every outing from August 26th through September. When the year ended he was named Sports Illustrated "Sportsman of the Year" award.

Post Season: In the 1969 NLCS Seaver opened the Series in Atlanta. He pitched seven innings and earned the win. It was not his best performance as he did allow 5 runs and seven hits, walking four & striking out only four. But the Mets bats supported him with nine runs. In the 1969 World Series he took the loss in the Series opener in Baltimore, getting out dueled by Mike Culleur. He gave up a leadoff HR to Don Buford and lost 4-1.

He came back to pitch Game #4 at Shea Stadium and Tom Terrific was brilliant in a ten inning outing. He allowed only one run on five hits, striking out six and only walking two. He began to tire in the ninth inning, putting runners on first & third with Brooks Robinson at bat. Brooks hit a screaming liner to right and Ron Swobodas made his famous spectacular game saving catch. J.C. Martins contraversial bunt RBI single sealed the win for Seaver.

Seaver closed out the 1960’s on top of the baseball world, earning the name Tom Terrific & The Franchise. His stats over the three year period in which he pitched was incredible. 57 wins 32 losses with 583 strikeouts with a 2.35 ERA 12 shutouts & 50 complete games.