Two weeks ago, we lost an all-time great. Tom Seaver passed away at the age of 75. Seaver was one of those players that I learned early in my collecting career was one of the best, but was on the back end of his career in the mid-eighties. I knew him from the Red Sox and White Sox more than the Mets and Reds.
In honor of his life and career, I present the top 5 Tom Seaver cards in my collection:
1971 Topps #72 NL 1970 Strikeout Leaders
The oldest card in my collection, and the one I feel best summarized Seaver.
According, to TCDB, I have 24 cards of Tom Seaver. 25% of them are League
Leader cards. I have him gracing cards for strikeouts, ERA, and wins - the
triple crown of 1960's and 70's pitching categories. He lead his league 5
times in strikeouts, and 3 times each for the other two.
1980 Topps #500
I said before I was more familiar with him with Chicago and Boston, but I also
had my fair share of his Cincinati days. I actually miss when Topps would give
the rounded hundred numbers to all-time greats (usually) and all-star caliber
guys with the tens. Seaver undoubtedly earned #500 in this set.
1987 Topps #425
Of course, I'd be doing myself a disfavor if I didn't show off at least
one card of Seaver on my favorite team. This sunset card reflects his last
season, spent partially with the Red Sox after a mid-season trade. He was
still a serviceable pitcher, but unfortunately got hurt before the 1986
playoffs. I can't help but wonder if he would have made a difference in that
World Series if he was healthy.
2012 Panini Cooperstown - Hall History #9
It seems so long ago now, but there was a time Tom Terrific was the standard
for Hall of Fame vote percentage. His inclusion on 98.8% of the ballots was a
high water mark that stood until Ken Griffey Jr surpassed him in 2016. He's
now 4th highest behind Rivera, Jeter, and Griffey.
2016 Topps - The Greatest Streaks #GS-07
10 consecutive strikeouts is impressive, but the story of the game makes this even more remarkable. Overall he struck out 19, giving up two hits. You want an example of pure pitching domination? Those 10 straight strikeouts came during the last 10 outs of the game! Think about that - starting with the last out of the 6th inning, he recorded the final three frames all via strikeout. I can't imagine what the opposing team (Padres) were thinking as they helplessly tried to do something, anything, against Seaver.
Rest in peace, Mr. Seaver. You will be missed!
10 straight strikeouts to end the game? Wow. Imagine being at the stadium that day to see it happen.
ReplyDeleteInteresting list. Mine would be all Mets cards, but that's my bias. I never would have thought to include one of the League Leader cards, but you make a good case. And, hey, you gotta love a card with three HOF legends like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm partial to Seaver's sunset cards but those last two on your list are really neat. I don't even think I have enough cards of Tom Terrific to make a top five list. The only ones in my colelction that stand out are the '86 Topps Traded buyback that I pulled from a box of 2017 Heritage, and the 2011 UD '70s single I picked up for my All-Time Teams binder.
ReplyDeleteI did pull a '72 Topps Seaver out of a grab bag when I was a teenager. But it's long gone. :/
I remember reading about those 10 consecutive strikeouts either on a card or a card blog. Very impressive. That 87T card is awesome. Just another great looking card in a fantastic set.
ReplyDeleteIf that 1987 Topps card didn’t have Tom Seaver at the bottom, I could swear it was Roger Clemens. Very similar pitching style. R.I.P.
ReplyDelete