Tom Terrific

TOM SEAVER  [SABR Bio] was so important to his expansion franchise that his nickname literally was, “The Franchise” - 200 strikeouts per season 1968-76 (and had 196 K in 1977). He struck out at least 200 batters a season for a record nine consecutive seasons (moth of this is from the SABR email).

He is still the only pitcher to strike out ten consecutive batters in a game. On 22-Apr-1970, Seaver threw a 2-hitter against the Padres and won 2-1.  He fanned 19 of the 31 batters he faced, including the last ten in a row.  Among those ten consecutive victims was All-Star Cito Gaston, who was having his career year. Gaston struck out three times that afternoon.

He was the first player to win the Rookie-of-the-Year Award and multiple Cy Young awards - ROY 1967; CYA 1969, 1973 & 1975. He was the first National League pitcher to win the Cy Young Award before his 25th birthday - 1969 CYA at age 24. He was also the first to win the Cy Young Award in a season without 20 pitching wins - 1973 CYA at 19-10.

Although he never pitched for manager Casey Stengel, he did pitch for one of college baseball’s most renowned coaches. Played at USC for legendary manager Rod Dedeaux.

At one time and for many years, he had the highest percentage of votes when he was elected to the Hall of Fame and is still 4th all-time. Elected to the HOF in 1992 with 98.84% of the votes.

ME: Fun fact: Seaver originally signed with the Braves, and could've teamed with Niekro, Aaron, Torre, and Carty to form a top tier team. Hence these baseball cards.

In his later years, he was a successful vintner. Owned Seaver Vineyards in Calistoga, California. 

Thursday: worked until six. Ceil cooked a real good chicken tomato pasta dish, and tossed a salad. Worked on the damaged dining room ceiling. Wrote online reviews of our plumber and Home Depot sales associate.
Watched Holy Moly, won by Mrs. Tulsa County with a long hole-in-one on the final double-windmill hole. Next week is the $250,000.00 season finale, which will include two new holes. Maybe Steph Curry will finally make an appearance.

Saturday Ceil has to help with a birthday party. Anna may come help.

Jigsaws and other puzzles are good to keep the mind sharp.

From what I see I know lots of guys who want to retire. Good friends Rob and Lee are a year or two older than me, and have their eye on retirement. Coworker Brad is younger than me, and had hoped to have retired already. Not sure about my other friend Reid. Ceil thinks if I retire I will drive her crazy. Plenty to keep me busy: exercise, reading, golf, housework, writing, ballgames, buying and selling bobbles and sneakers, etc. But right now I’m happy to work, since my job is well-suited to my particular gifts and abilities.

Not many still around older than me. Several years ago one guy stayed well into his 70’s, but he was a big exception. Try to stay relevant and needed. Does get harder and harder every year, as the pace always quickens as opposed to slowing down. Do more with less. No overtime. Good that I am an expert on our work order system. Hope they don't replace the computer system.

Above: Joel and sister-in-law Annie

model new Bellwood Coffee t-shirts.

Will poses in front of a framed poster from Augusta National, depicting the flowers that each hole is named.