Tom Seaver 1992 Hall of Fame Induction Speech

George Thomas Seaver was a franchise power pitcher who helped change the New York Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes. The quintessential professional, Tom Terrific won 311 games with a 2.86 ERA over 20 seasons and his 3,272 strikeouts set a National League record. Seaver fanned 3,640 batters in his career, including 200 or more 10 times and 19 in a single game once. No. 41 was the National League Rookie of the Year in 1967, a three-time Cy Young Award winner and made more Opening Day starts (16) than any pitcher in history.
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The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is home to the greatest stars and the history of the game. Located in scenic Cooperstown, New York, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to preserving the sport's history, honoring excellence within the game, and connecting generations through baseball.

[@tubularbill]

He is what every player wants to be. A true class act.

[@amanteheru8572]

Every player don't care about that lol

[@JaDem148]

Tom may have been matched in class by one or two butr never outmatched. Too say every player strives for that is incorrect though. Check out what one of his former battery mates, Carlton Fisk, who in my opinion is in the same category of class, thought of " Neon Deion". By the way Bo Jackson was the real deal.

[@danrode104]

A heavy ball master. Tom Seaver was the best pitcher I ever saw up close... The best. I'm very very sad today.....

[@j.k.1228]

Godspeed Tom Seaver. My first sports hero, and still a fan 51 years later.

[@davidm2688]

As classy and terrific an athlete and human being who ever lived.

[@davidthompson62]

Tom was always one of the biggest supporters of Gil Hodges getting into baseball’s HOF. Tom, your baseball father finally got his due.

[@Christopher-wy7ne]

RIP. The Franchise. What he meant to the Mets and us fans cannot be measured, except as our first bonafide Superstar

[@seanfelder8166]

Seaver was the man that put NY Mets on the map with 69 World Series title.He was that dominant.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

He and Namath made the Mets and Jets bearable.

[@4orrcountry]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 You seem like someone who needs an entire POT of coffee to get going in the a.m.

[@tomscott3]

@@raygordonteacheschess5501 that was the last year one city won all 3 majory sports

[@alfredoguzman2566]

Wish I could hear 1 more speech from him

[@grehhet161]

i was joyful this entire speech. when he spoke about his family, a few tears started rolling. i hope they stay close, mr seaver, and are there for you to remind you of what a great person you were on and off the field. you will be missed in the public spotlight and the hearts of every met fan go out to you and your family. thanks for your contributions to not just new york, but to all of baseball.

[@KL-fm5qd]

Great Great pitcher solid Human Being, very articulate.

[@stevenledbetter9997]

The greatest pitcher of my childhood. Pirate fan here. In 1968 i saw Stargell hit a homerun on the roof of Forbes Field off of Seaver. One of the few times Seaver was tagged. RIP Tom Terrific

[@davidr5961]

Terrific speech; what a pitching rotation they had in those years, seaver-koosman-gentry-, and someone named Ryan

[@ronaldprater2096]

Yes

[@jeffvanschoonhoven5171]

Jon Matlock too I believe....Ryan was a rookie and the 5th starter

[@tomscott3]

that's when the game was real. that other guy, ryan, another great.....another class act.

[@JaDem148]

Who's this guy Ryan you mention?😝

[@Victoria-ni3tf]

“someone named Ryan.” You gave me a boost as I was crying uncontrollably about our loss. RIP, great man. I will be on 41 Seaver Way soon.

[@nycdweller]

So glad he recognized the great Jerry Grote

[@2AForever-wi8yj]

underrated except for those who played and those who watched mets baseball in the 60's and 70's . if he hit better he would be right up there with bench. tremendous defensive catcher

[@stevemelendez]

Rest In Peace Tom Terrific! I’m hurting.

[@waynejohanson1083]

We all are.

[@hashcoffeee]

Great speech from The Franchise!

[@petersanmiguel1164]

Great. Classy. Always a family man.

[@nycdweller]

RIP Tom Seaver - a true class act. I loved watching you pitch all those years ago at Shea.

[@TheCdecisneros]

When we played on my block in nyc we were all tom seaver...

[@billybenden4431]

So true

[@standark12]

Tom Seaver was my idol since I was 9 years old and I followed him thru my entire life and he never disappointed. How Many professional athletes can live up to that.

[@track16ofthechronic21]

Short, sweet speech. Beautiful moment at the end, when his voice started to break when mentioning his mother. This man was, and will always be, an example. THE FRANCHISE.

[@kenturner4503]

Seaver pitched the very first Mets game my dad took to me to. Mets vs Expos. RIP Tom Terrific. You are at Peace. When you get a chance, say hello to Rusty Staub and Gary Carter for me

[@JosephDungee]

That was my Idol growing up, along with The Hammer and Roger "The Dodger" Staubach

[@chrisgreulich]

Very humble man. Class act. Where are these great men in sports today? There are fewer and fewer.

[@baskinginbarreto6309]

RIP Tom. Thanks for the memories!

[@flashbaneyify]

R.I.P. TOM SEAVER. Remember seeing you hosting Greatest Sports Legends. You were Terrific.

[@MznMts]

The Franchise - always beloved. LGM

[@mikefrank521]

great speech, from a great man, player

[@TOPSTARrap]

Rip 😭

[@pagegirl507]

So nice to see and hear the great pitcher give thanks to those who helped him on his journey to where he stood on that podium. 1969 Miracle Mets certainly a Cinderella story rarely duplicated in the history of sports. thanks for uploading. As Tom now suffers from dementia, I hope he can still enjoy working in his vineyard and the company of his dogs and family. God speed, Tom. Thanks for the memories.

[@sludge4125]

Uh, it’s actually extremely standard procedure.

[@1luiszepol]

Clemente and Seaver my childhood heroes.

[@dangardella8598]

What a wonderful life. And a great man. Rest In Peace for all time.

[@teller121]

What a pro. Less than 9,500 views. Shocking. Ought to be a million each from OH and NYC...ingrates.

[@johnlevalley521]

The greatest starting pitcher of all time. Hard to imagine what his career numbers would have been had he started with the Big Red Machine.

[@michaelsemmijr2095]

His greatest year was in 1971, 20-10, 289 Ks, 1.76 Era. and he didn't earn the Cy Young that year. The thing that is startling is his 2.86 Era, LIFETIME ! !

[@jonathanswift2251]

no one from his generation with 20 years had a career ERA that low. no one...

[@Kingman422]

What a wonderful day that was❤❤❤😢🙏🙏🙏

[@P121463S]

Always a leader and a class act - God Bless Tom

[@angelacuozzo3065]

My idol and hero....I was blessed to have met him and spend some moments with him. I am thinking of Nancy, his girls and his family.....thank you for blessing us with your talents, and your class! We will always love you Tom! God Bless, and protect Nancy, Sara & Anne 🙏❤💔🥺

[@petermaiorana6304]

What a soft spoken man what a gentleman what a picher test in peace tom terrific

[@perryickes8991]

The very best pitcher I ever seen. In my opinion the very best pitcher ever

[@jimhandler1129]

R.I.P. Tom Pleasure meeting you.

[@ralphabreu5022]

He was a true team player RIP the franchise.

[@raygordonteacheschess5501]

The Mets never stunk when he was on the mound.

[@teller121]

...and that's saying a lot.

[@ernestpassaro9663]

He got robbed of 2 cy young awards in 71 and 81 !

[@ernestpassaro9663]

I’m 56 years old and a yankee fan but I must say Tom Seaver was the best pitcher I ever seen!

[@stonesinmyblood27]

He’s the only sport’s idol I’ve ever had ❤️

[@terry6696]

Tom passed away today. He was always a class act and a great guy. RIP

[@richardjones3365]

Seaver was a modern day Christy Mathewson.

[@kevinhine9605]

Life Long mets fan and it hurts to see Tom Terrific go, such a great talent and man.

[@bobbymadera3234]

Wowww the LAST word WAS bigger than EVERYTHING OUTS .TOM JUST CAN'T HANDLE HE JUST STARTED TO CRY GREAT MEN AND BASEBALL PLAYER A REAL LEGEND MR TOM SEAVER

[@marksanders1301]

I wasn't aware that Tom Seaver died until today. So sad. RIP.

[@krlm2280]

Rip legend

[@stevem9603]

Phenomenal pitcher! RIP!

[@ANTHONY0808able]

RIP Tom Seaver, THE FRANCHISE. A truly tragic loss for Mets Nation

[@TheAmerican1963]

I wanted, as a kid, to be you..........I am grateful to have seen you play.....so grateful........ :-)

[@gdc1231]

RIP Mr. Seaver my boyhood baseball hero. A true gentleman and the consummate professional on and off the field. Heaven is richer and we are infinitely poorer now. But the memories Tom Seaver provided me are ones I will treasure forever.

[@rudolphguarnacci197]

Class guy.

[@mookie449]

He was simply a great pitcher.

[@thedude3065]

thank you Tom you were terrfic on mound in life you were a franchise and classic Mets became the classic Mets

[@marcsonnenberg623]

My favorite pitcher growing up. While Gooden was special his first few years & deGrom now, Seaver was that good his entire career. He put up phenomenal numbers. Look at his career Shutouts, E.R.A., Strikeouts & Wins. Amazin'

[@johnnyd63]

I was fortunate to see Seaver play in his prime.200 K's,15-20 wins,ERA under 3, 250 Innings EVERY year on shit teams in NY. He was the best.

[@luissanjuan1072]

When I was a little kid! Listening to the mets on the radio everytime tom seaver pitch I knew the mets had a chance to win!

[@ceciljustice7283]

RIP sir, greatest met ever

[@NoUploadJustComment]

The greatest Met there ever was. RIP

[@the_console-girl-9778]

You ask what it is to be a Met, you say Tom Seaver. He was excellence in the 60s, not excellence was he. He defined the excellence of pitching in the 60s. He defined the definition of the term "Ace"

[@clayschaefer591]

I and a friend had a great experience of playing golf with Tom and his Dad, Charlie, at a Spaulding pro am at Pebble Beach in the mid eighties. We also spent News Years Eve with them, as we were all without wives on this occasion . Tom and Charlie were a ball to be with, treasure that experience!

[@DDEENY]

So talented, so intelligent, so articulate and so handsome. No wonder why so many people were jealous of Tom including Dick Young.

[@nicolas4you]

All so very true what you said. Dick Young was one of the biggest hypocrites this world has ever seen he hated people like Tom, like Muhammad Ali anybody that wasn't like him or agreed with his racist views. Tom wasn't like that at all. Young did the same thing Tom would have to do ask for more money, but Young would write how Seaver didn't deserve a new contract so Tom went to Cincinnati and Dick Young went to the NY Post.. but it was okay for Young to do it.

[@ericrivera1391]

Tom looks very presidential

[@teller121]

always class.

[@CRStoller]

Rest in Peace Tom Terrific. Your legacy will live on forever.

[@edwardanthony7283]

It was a storybook life.

[@josephobrien9008]

Rest in Peace, Tom.

[@maximocesse9982]

We miss you Terrific!!

[@EnzoPontrelli]

RIP Franchise

[@Bradydog-in7ut]

Many do not know but for many years, Mr. Seaver worked tirelessly trying to get his old Mets coach, Gil Hodges, elected to Baseball’s Hall of Fame; he almost accomplished this but fell short 1 vote in the old timers ballot (71%). It’s sad that Tom died before Gil finally got his due more than 50 years after he passed away from a heart attack while playing golf.

[@roberteak8961]

Rest in Peace Tom Terrific

[@TampaJohn]

Mariano deserved to get 100% of the vote, but Tom deserved to be the FIRST to get it! How he didn’t, ill never know.

[@user-jv9qz2bu1r]

the best

[@therandomcontentchannel6357]

R.I.P legend

[@dona3219]

I was there!

[@juliewarrington4247]

May Tom Seaver Rest In Peace.

[@waynejohanson1083]

He is and he is pitching in heaven.

[@georgehakimian5949]

He had what I would call perfect pitching mechanics.

[@Gutts31]

RIP Tom Terrific!

[@glenngrinter6818]

Why doesn't his plaque say "Tom Terrific" & why doesn't his plaque mention his 12 All-Star game appearances. There was plenty of space on the plaque for both :(

[@teller121]

excellent point.

[@StevenSpain-l8e]

That last year he played, pitching for the White Sox, he led the American league with nine complete games.

[@edchiang459]

Why he didn't get 100%of the votes truly boggled my mind

[@victorialouden1912]

i live in Cincinnati in 1981 the strike year this man took the time out to show me how to throw a slider!!! my nieghbors in my hood were the griffeys ,the Dressiens and Hal king a former catcher for the reds took his son and my self to riverfront and the reds were working out!! I will never forget it!! I told tom I saw his NoNo and I also witnessed his 3,000 strike out was Keith Hernandez. a great man and the best pitcher of my lifetime!!! Nolan Ryan is nothing compared to num 41 he got his 300 and 3,000 a decade before Ryan!! they started more less at at the same time!!

[@seand67]

R.I.P. Mr. Seaver

[@jackdavis8596]

R.I.P.

[@bobbyb.6644]

Defined the word “Pitcher” ! 🤗

[@glenngrinter6818]

I should revise my comment and say 12 All-Star game selections.

[@richardpatrick7701]

The Greatest Met, the Greatest pitcher, the Greatest baseball player ever in my life time!!!! Ps the hall of fame agrees with me!!!

[@pfromturri194]

They just don't make them like you anymore Tom...

[@robertfullmer2467]

Came here after hearing that he was diagnosed with dementia. Very sad.

[@stephenl6758]

Robert Fullmer I did as well. I just went through this with my father in law - it really does strike a cord. My heart goes out to Nancy and their daughters. There will be some tough days ahead for them

[@robertfullmer2467]

@@stephenl6758 My grandfather also suffered from it for a number of years. What really made it even more tragic, is that he suffered a terrible injury from a fall. Spent the last year of his life in a nursing home. Will certainly keep Seaver and his family in my prayers. :'(

[@MinivanBella]

Who are the 5 that didn't vote for him? What were watching? All votes should be transparent to know who and why they make such decisions.

[@stevencruz3977]

Too bad he didn't live long enough to see Gil Hodges introduction in to the HOF.

[@alexsaitta4041]

Seaver looks like he could get out there and still pitch. The 1960's Mets were a joke. An absolute joke up until the last few months of the decade. In 1968 the Mets were 24 games out and 16 games under .500. On May 27, 1969 the Mets were 18-23. Seaver was one of the few who thought the Mets could win. He said it at the time. You can hear his leadership in this speech.

[@acornsucks2111]

Should have won at least 4 Cy Youngs, no way Fernando deserved it in 81.

[@jwvvvv]

Makes me sick every time I think of him being traded. Even worse, losing him through that stupid free agent compensation draft. Should have been a Met for his entire career.

[@sludge4125]

Would you believe the nolan ryan jock sniffers claim the old steer was a much better pitcher than Tom Terrific?

[@danrode104]

Thats laughable..

[@sludge4125]

Dan Rode 👍

[@edwardanthony7283]

Would have won more if not for 2 strikes and 12-14 missed starts.. Think about it.

[@Raymond-y3r]

I love, admire, and respect Tom Terrific no end, but I'm afraid I happen to have but one perhaps piddling inconsequential little cavil: embarrassingly, Seaver for a moment couldn't remember his age, nor how long he's been married to his wife Nancy.