Landmark Books in All Fields
ItemID: #119353
Cost: $750.00

Great Moments in Baseball

Tom Seaver

"MY MEMORY BECOMES YOUR HISTORY": FIRST EDITION OF GREAT MOMENTS IN BASEBALL, INSCRIBED BY METS LEGEND TOM SEAVER

SEAVER, Tom. Great Moments in Baseball. (New York): Birch Lane/Carol Publishing, (1992). Octavo, original half green paper boards, original dust jacket. $750.

First edition of the Hall of Famer's unique tribute to baseball, featuring Seavier's insights into 51 World Series and its legendary players, inscribed on the half title by him, "To L— Tom Seaver."

"One of baseball's greatest right-handed power pitchers," Seaver led the Mets "to a surprise world championship in his first three seasons… and struck out more than 200 batters in 10 different seasons, a National League record… Even so, the seasons he spent away from New York seem like little more than a footnote… He was the team's first bona fide star, known to New York fans as Tom Terrific and, more tellingly, The Franchise… Seaver was the league's rookie of the year in 1967… and won three Cy Young Awards as the league's best pitcher. All those achievements notwithstanding, there is no heroic Tom Seaver narrative without 1969." That was the year the Miracle Mets and Tom Seaver won the World Series. They "charged from a losing record… to capture the National League's East Division crown, then swept the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series and finally defeated the heavily favored Baltimore Orioles… The Mets retired Seaver's number, 41, in 1988, and in 1992, his first year of eligibility, he was elected to the Hall of Fame" (New York Times).

Great Moments in Baseball features Seaver's exceptional insights into the game's rich history, when "pro baseball took its hold on America," as well his unique perspective as one of baseball's most informed and dedicated fans. He offers extensive coverage of 51 World Series, as well as legends such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Jackie Robinson, Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Sandy Koufax and Hank Aaron. Seaver also includes his own lists of "the top ten pitchers of all time" and "'top ten baseball events of all time." In Great Moments, he writes: "My memory becomes your history." Tom Seaver died in 2020 at the age of 75. He left behind "countless millions NY baseball fans who forever cherish the memories of the Miracle Mets 1969 championship season and his starring role in it" (NY Daily News). First edition, first printing: co-authored with Marty Appel. Containing 50 full-page black-and-white illustrations. This copy with small circular printed label to front panel: "Newly Elected to the Hall of Fame."

A fine copy.

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