A Tom Seaver documentary is in the works, and a statue should be next

by Tim Reilly May 08, 2018 0 Comments

The greatest player in Mets history, Tom Seaver, is reportedly the subject of an upcoming documentary.

According to the NY Daily News, lifelong Mets fan and Queens native Ed Burns is developing this project, and will serve as its director.

“The film, expected to be released next year to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the Miracle Mets of 1969, will detail the triumphs and controversies of Seaver's 20-year career, including that improbable championship season of 1969 when Tom Terrific led the charge with a league-leading 25 wins, the Midnight Massacre that saw a tearful Seaver sent packing to Cincinnati in 1977, and his heroic return in 1983.”

This sounds terrific, pun strongly intended.

Seaver’s last season in baseball came a year before I was born. What I know about Seaver comes from highlight packages, his time as a broadcaster, the back of baseball cards, and stories my dad shares about watching him as a child. When I started pitching, my dad would always preach for me to use my legs and drive off the mound the way Seaver did.

For quick reference on Seaver’s career, think about the flashes of greatness we’ve seen from Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom, and Noah Syndergaard. Now imagine someone pitching 10 straight seasons better than any of those three have ever posted for the Mets. That’s Tom Seaver in a nutshell. It's why he's known as “The Franchise.”

A documentary will certainly put Seaver’s career back into the spotlight, especially for a younger generation of fans. You know what else would serve that same purpose? A statue outside of Citi Field.

Just as the 50th anniversary is the perfect time for this film to be released it should also double as the perfect time to unveil a statue of Seaver. It is long overdue, and frankly embarrassing that one doesn’t already exist. Citi Field’s entire entrance is dedicated to a man that didn’t even play for the Mets. I think some real estate outside the stadium can be spared to immortalize Seaver.

At the very least, this documentary should be in good hands with Burns. He’s someone I’ve long admired in the movie industry, and I can’t wait to see what he does with this Seaver film. Let’s hope 2019 brings us a terrific documentary AND a statue to honor The Franchise.