Hall Of Fame Pitcher Tom Seaver Dies
September 02, 2020 | Baseball, Features
Seaver posted a 10-2 mark with a 2.47 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 1965 in his only season as a Trojan letterman.
#FightOnForever Tom Terrific.
— USC Baseball (@USC_Baseball) September 3, 2020
The Trojan family mourns along with the rest of the baseball world at the passing of Tom Seaver today. He was 75.
A true Trojan legend and one of the best to ever pick up a baseball ✌️ pic.twitter.com/oEdy93RKS6
"The Trojan Baseball Family lost one of our all-time greats in Tom Seaver," said USC baseball head coach Jason Gill. "Growing up in Southern California, Tom was a childhood idol to me and many other kids in my era. He was a great example of what talent, hard work and passion for the game of baseball and life looked like for all of us. Tom represented the Trojan Way and carried himself like a champion always. My deepest condolences go out to his family and all those who knew him."
Nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and known for his blazing fastball, he spent 20 years (1967-86) pitching in the major leagues with the New York Mets (1967-77, 1983), Cincinnati Reds (1977-82), Chicago White Sox (1984-86) and Boston Red Sox (1986). He won 311 games during his major league career, with a 2.86 ERA and 3,640 strikeouts. He appeared in 12 All-Star games, led the National League in strikeouts five times and in wins and ERA three times, and pitched 61 shutouts. He threw a no-hitter in 1978 with the Reds against the St. Louis Cardinals (he also had five one-hitters). He and Walter Johnson are the only major league pitchers with 300 wins, 3,000 strikeouts and a sub-3.00 ERA.
With the Mets, Seaver was a three-time Cy Young winner (1969-73-75), was the 1967 National League Rookie of the Year and was a member of the 1969 club known as the "Amazin' Mets" or the "Miracle Mets" that won the organization's first World Series. He tied a major league record in 1970 with the Mets by striking out 19 San Diego Padres, including a record 10 consecutive to end the game.
Official statement from the #Mets on the passing of Tom Seaver. #RIP41 pic.twitter.com/tWTxQWlk1o
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 3, 2020
He was elected into Cooperstown in 1992 by the highest percentage of votes (98.84%) in history to that point. He also is in the New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds Halls of Fame.
He was inducted into the USC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995.
He came to USC from Fresno (Calif.) High and Fresno City College. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1962 and 1963 and is in the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame.
After his playing career, Seaver became a color commentator on baseball telecasts. He also owned the Seaver Vineyards in the Napa Valley.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and daughters Sarah and Anne.
From Justin Dedeaux, teammate and roomate of Seaver's in 1965 and son of the late Rod Dedeaux: "We were fortunate enough to stay in touch through the years. I'd visit him up in Napa, and during the seasons when he was pitching, my dad and I would go out and see him every chance we got and go out to dinner with him after the games. I know my dad really cherished that relationship. I just can't say enough about what a wonderful human being he was. He was very loyal to the program, he would come out and talk to our pitchers and stay involved. Tom was just one of those guys who did things the right way his entire life. He had a wonderful marriage to Nancy, beautiful daughters, and just a great life. I'm very thankful to have been a part of it and I know Trojan fans are grateful for the way he represented the university."
Dr. Tom House remembers his USC teammate and friend Tom Seaver who died earlier this week at the age of 75. https://t.co/nkU3OVcD94
— CBS Local Sports (@CBSLocalSports) September 4, 2020
I wished I was able to have met you but still thank you Tom "Terrific" for showing me something about the game through film and the stories. Rest Easy #41@USC_Baseball
— Bernardo Flores (@flo_rider95) September 3, 2020
@whitesox pic.twitter.com/umaFafiem8
Tom Seaver's scouting report while he was pitching for @USC_Baseball in 1965: "Plenty of desire to pitch and wants to beat you." No truer words were ever spoken about the future @BaseballHall of Fame pitcher. Who was that scout? #Dodgers coach Tommy Lasorda. pic.twitter.com/Ot4UQodYWR
— SABR (@sabr) September 3, 2020
