The Mets and the rest of the baseball world mourned the death of Mets legend Tom Seaver on Wednesday night.
The Mets confirmed the 75-year-old Hall of Fame pitcher’s passing, which was caused by complications of dementia and Lyme disease.
Dwight “Doc” Gooden, another legendary pitcher in Mets lore, tweeted his admiration for Seaver.
“Everyone knows he was a great pitcher,” the 55-year-old tweeted. “But he was an even greater person. RIP to my friend Tom!”
Seaver, also known as “Tom Terrific” and “The Franchise”, won 311 games over a 20-year career, including 198 with the Mets from 1967-77, leading the Mets to a 1969 World Series title. He was a five-time 20-game winner. His time with the Mets came to an end with a trade to the Reds in 1977, widely known as “The Midnight Massacre.”
Mets owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon also sent their respects to Seaver, who was the first Met to have his number retired by the team in 1988.
Tom SeaverAP“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Mets legend and baseball Hall of Famer Tom Seaver,” the Wilpons said in a statement. “Tom was nicknamed ‘Tom Terrific’ because of how valuable he was to our organization an our loyal fans. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Nancy, daughters Sarah and Anne and grandsons Thomas, William, Henry and Tobin.”
Ex-Mets All-Star Lenny Dykstra paid homage to Seaver, as well.
“R.I.P. #TomSeaver #GreatestMetEver,” he wrote on Twitter.
Mets great Keith Hernandez also paid his respects.
“I am deeply saddened of the passing of Tom Seaver,” the Mets’ SNY analyst tweeted. “I had the honor of unsuccessfully hitting against him & having as a teammate. He is the greatest Met of all time. No one will ever surpass him that wears the orange & blue. My condolences to Nancy & his family. Tears.”
Other members of the baseball world also sent out their condolences.
“I am deeply saddened by the death of Tom Seaver, one of the greatest pitchers of all-time” MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said in a statement. “Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of the National Pastime. He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season.”
Orioles great and fellow Hall of Famer Jim Palmer, who along with Seaver was one of the best pitchers in their generation, paid his respects.
“Saddened to hear my friend, Tom Seaver, has passed away,” Palmer tweeted. “My condolences to Nancy&The Seaver family. Baseball lost the best pitcher of my era.”
Former Phillies shortstop Larry Bowa, who had some good battles with the Mets Hall of Famer, said he wasn’t just a great player, but “a great person.”
“My heart is heavy tonight after hearing of the passing of one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, Tom Seaver,” Bowa, who also managed the Phillies, tweeted. “My condolences go out to Nancy and the Seaver family. He was one of the toughest pitchers I faced in my career and off the field he was a great person. RIP.”
