Loss of a Baseball Giant: The Death of ‘Tom Terrific’
THE ISSUE: The death of former Mets star pitcher Tom Seaver at the age of 75 on Monday.
Tom Seaver was known as “The Franchise.” He was every Mets fan’s favorite player (“Tom Terrific,” Sept. 3).
We were all infuriated when Tug McGraw was traded. But Seaver? I still hold a grudge 43 years later. He was a purist who studied the game. He was an intellectual.
He was often the guest on Kiner’s Korner and gave the longest, most nuanced responses to simple questions. His toughest batter to face: Willie Stargill of the Pirates.
In September ’73, the team went from last place to first place and the World Series. I went to Game Four with my brother and still have that ticket stub somewhere. Sadly, those players (our childhood heroes!) are fading away. Tom Cutrofello
Woodside
I was saddened to learn of Seaver’s passing. He was a class act. I recall sitting in the nosebleed seats at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia when he would square off against Philly ace lefthander Steve Carlton.
Those matches were low-scoring games. I cursed at the television in ’69 when Jimmy Qualls broke up Tom Terrific’s perfect game.
Sadly, the late Dick Young ran Seaver out of town, but he managed to return years later. The Mets should rename Citi Field in his honor.
Matt Engel Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
Seaver joined the Mets in 1967. In 1969, “The Franchise” won 25 games and led them to their first world championship. He went on to win more than 300 games and established himself as one of baseball’s greatest pitchers.
Seaver was a former Marine who was patriotic and a wholesome example to youngsters on and off the field. In those days, now long gone, Tom Terrific was considered an “All-American Boy.” Nicholas Maffei
Yonkers
It’s a sad week in the world of New York sports, as we all heard of the passing of Seaver.
For most people like me in our 50s, Seaver was a dominant figure in our childhood, as he was arguably the best pitcher in all of baseball for the entire decade of the 1970s.
My dad always made it a point to attend home games at Shea Stadium when he was pitching because he always wanted to get his money’s worth.
And with Seaver on the mound, there was always a good chance of a stellar performance, coupled with a Mets win.
With the passing of Tom Terrific, 2020 just became a little darker as a piece of our childhood died with him. RIP, Tom Seaver. Eugene Dunn
Medford
It was most sad to read that Tom Seaver died at age 75 after long suffering from dementia.
As a lifelong Mets fan, I
remember the amazing Mets winning the World Series in 1969 with Seaver as their pitcher. I felt it was a most proud moment for myself and others.
Tom Seaver truly gave Queens and New York a reason to believe in our miracle Mets.
As was said by Commissioner Rob Manfred, Seaver was “one of the greatest pitchers of all time.” I totally agree! Baseball will remember Seaver for all time. As such, my heartfelt prayers go out to Tom Seaver’s family, friends and fans. Frederick R. Bedell
Bellerose
We now know who one of the starting pitchers for heaven’s All-Star Game is. RIP, Tom. John Buonagura Stewart Manor
The passing of “Tom Terrific” Seaver was extremely sad.
Seaver was an icon in New York and in baseball in general. He was “The Franchise” of the New York Mets. He was a gifted ballplayer who gave it his all every time he was on the mound.
I’ve been a Mets fan since they came on the scene in 1962. Tom, you made New York proud when you played here, and you will be missed.
My heart goes out to his wife, Nancy, his two daughters, Sarah and Annie, and the rest of his family. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Tom Terrific. Rob Johann
Queens
Regarding Tom Terrific, I will keep it short and the point: Thanks for the memories.
Joseph A. Levy Rego Park