This Date is PERFECT to Unveil a Seaver Statue

by Tim Reilly December 03, 2018

2019 marks 50 years since the “Miracle Mets” won the World Series. To celebrate the anniversary, the Mets will host members of that team on June 29. As fate would have it, anyone who purchases a ticket with The 7 Line Army will be at the game.

It’s only fitting that The 7 Line Army will be in attendance for this one. During their playing days, I’m sure the idea of a traveling fan group of The 7 Line’s size (let alone one at all) is something they couldn’t even fathom. This group deserves a hero’s welcome home reminiscent to their ticker tape parade.

Celebrating the ’69 team is great, unveiling a Tom Seaver statue on the same day would be the icing on the cake…

Would be the perfect day to unveil a Tom Seaver statue outside Citi Field.

cc: @Mets https://t.co/u8xIQTFQOS
— Tim Reilly (@LifeOfTimReilly) December 3, 2018

While the ’69 team is the most important in franchise history, Seaver is the most important player in franchise history. Hence “The Franchise” nickname. It doesn’t get any bigger than him.

I won’t sit here and lecture you on how great of a pitcher Seaver was. First, it’s not needed. Second, I’d be doing him a disservice since I never got to witness him pitch myself. The extent of what I know about Seaver’s playing days have been learned through my father, older peers, the back of baseball cards and highlight packages.

311 wins
2.86 career ERA
231 complete games
3 Cy Young awards
He truly was terrific.

Happy Birthday, Tom Seaver! https://t.co/CZh3BSS5V5 pic.twitter.com/BK0xqe3XLd
— Cut4 (@Cut4) November 17, 2016

Frankly, a statue of Seaver is longgggg overdue. It’s embarrassing that it hasn’t happened already. Ideally, the perfect time would’ve been to coincide with the opening of Citi Field. The next best thing is to double down on this ’69 team celebration.

I don’t want to get morbid, but Seaver is 74 years old and has dealt with health issues in recent years, and this isn’t an honor I ever want to see done posthumously.

The time is now, Mets. Do the right thing and find someone to build a Tom Seaver statue ASAP.

P.S. – It should be modeled off this photo. When I was learning how to pitch, my dad would also preach Seaver's patent "drop and drive" mechanics.