Happy Birthday Tom Seaver

Happy Birthday Tom Seaver.  The baseball Hall of Fame pitcher turned 74 on Saturday.

I always loved watching Seaver pitch.  He had that trademark delivery with his knee touching the front slope of the mound, after every pitch.  I remember listening on my small RCA transistor radio under the grapevine at my grandfather’s house the night he came within one out of pitching a perfect game against the Chicago Cubs.  (Seaver would later pitch a no-hitter, while with the Cincinnati Reds.)  That was part of the Mets’ magical 1969 season.

For a time, Seaver, who had a second tour of duty as a pitcher with the Mets, became estranged from the organization, but they have since patched things up.  I also enjoyed him as a member of the New York Yankees broadcast crew, especially when he teamed up with Phil Rizzuto.

“Tom Terrific” has had some health issues in recent years, but just like when he was a pitcher, he keeps batting.

Happy Birthday, Tom.  And many more.