If Your Birthday is November 17th...

...you share it with the late Hall of Famer Tom Seaver.  With the possible exception of Jackie Robinson and Babe Ruth, no player ever changed the destiny of a team more than the Fresno, California-born pitcher.   When he arrived in New York in 1967, the Mets had finished 10th in four of their five seasons and had never come anywhere near even a .500 record.  Uncomfortable with the team's image as lovable losers, Seaver not only set a standard for excellence but focused on erasing the legacy of ineptitude symbolized by "Marvelous Marv" Throneberry.  

He exceeded all expectations.  Going 16-13 and winning the Rookie of the Year, he went on to win 20 more games five times and claim three Cy Young Awards, while leading the Mets to a pair of pennants, including their stunning 1969 World Series championship.  311 career victories (198 with the Mets) later, he was named on 425 of 430 ballots when he was voted into Cooperstown in 1992.

Nicknamed "The Franchise," it's no surprise that not only does a statue of Seaver greets you outside the main entrance of Citi Field -- but the ballpark's address was changed to 41 Seaver Way.



 

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