European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 24, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Wednesday. June 24,1967 the stars and stripes Page 23 commentary Seaver left with Pride and dignity a woman named Pam working in a restau rant on second Avenue said recently hat she loved Tom Seaver so much in inc fifth Grade that he kids called her mis. a College student named John recalled the Day he played Hooky from High school to see Scavron his 1984 return to them is and How watching Seaver come out of the bullpen after pc game warmups and the sellout crowd at Shea screaming their Heads off would always be one of inc biggest thrills of his life. And a writer would recall certain moments in the Lifie of Seaver that Long Low Slung powerful pitch ing motion those several comings and goings that professionalism Hal High Boyish Giggle but per haps what ii most quickly recalled is his reaction after the 1969 mels the amazing seven year old team won the world series four games to one against the Baltimore orioles. Seaver who was called the franchise had won25 games and lost Only seven during that season had struck out 208 Bailers had a 2.21 earned run average and had won the by Young award Hii first of three remember he said Afler the series i m the Only mets Pitcher in history to have lost a world series game. He also won one in that series but it was a Nice touch a gentlemanly touch a touch in fact of humility. Just three weeks ago Seaver who had apparently mired after the red sox id him go at the endow lad year received a phone Call during dinner at his Greenwich conn., Home. The caller was Frank Cashen the general manager of the met. Would Seaver now 42, come out of retirement to help the mels who had just lost two starting pitchers because of injury and had another coming Back from drug rehabilitation. Til give it a try said Seaver. I Don t know Pam who loved Seaver said. He s a Power Pitcher and hey get their strength from their legs. And remember he had a knee opera Tion Over the Seaver tried the last three weeks pitching in the bullpen at Shea pitching in an exhibition game for the Mefs against Tidewater pitching in a pair of simulated games with some second string mils fac ing him and other mets in the Field. It was t there he said i did t have any Good motion on the Ball. The waiters were hitting it out in front of the plate. And i Tell discomfort in my Arm discomfort in my he had made a decision. He could not meet his High standards. He had had enough. On monday in the football locker room at Shea stadium Seaver announced Al a news conference that after 20 years in the big leagues he was retiring. No said Darcy Johnson the acts manager give yourself More of a Bui Bud Harrolson a mets coach former Short Stop and Roommate of Seaver knew that a Caver knew. He s not going to fool himself Harrelson said Al the news conference. And he s his toughest critic. I remember when he d Pilch a three Hlister. And still would be critical of his when he walked into the room Wilh his wife Nancy the reporters and cameramen gathered there were quiet. Hey he said brightly there s no he looked husky in his Blue Blazer and Youthful Wilh his hair brushed nearly Flat against his forehead. Almost like the Seaver one remembered when he first came up to the mels in the summer of 1967,and recalled to a reporter How frightened he was in his first professional Start in Jacksonville Fin. While warming up in the bullpen he slopped to stand forthe National Anthem and became so nervous that he but Over and got sick. Then he resumed his warm ups. This is a sad Happy Lime said Saver with a slight reddening in the eyes. I be got a sense of mined emotions. In one Way this was a fairly easy decision for me to make Afler evaluating my performance and the Way i be Sci n on the other hand he said "1 would like to have helped this learn win inc world championship and 1think they have inc capabilities Odo of what a Sweet Way to have gone out one thought. To have Seaver inc living ghost of Tom Seaver help Pilch the mets to another championship. He would be the cavalry he would be the marines he would be the starting Pitcher the mels so desperately needed. I would love to have pencilled his name in inc lineup said Johnson. Instead it ended not triumphantly on the Mound but triumphantly in a foot Ball locker room. He left with Pride he left with dignity he left with emptier pockets. He had a contract for this season for $750,000, to be paid for the nem three months just Lell us when you re ready to Pilch Cashen Laid him. Bui after three weeks Seaver in essence lore up the contract. There we run l any More competitive inches left he said. Got every ounce out of them i could. They were All used used up in 4,782 innings 13lh on the All time list. Used up in 641 starts ninth on the All Lime list. Used up in 311 victories. 13th on the All time list. Used up in 6 shutouts seventh on the All time up with a 2.86 career earned run average lied for fourth on the All time list. Used up with 3,640strikeouts, third on the All time list. I guess it s time now to sit Back and reflect on what i be done he said. It s been a Lovely 20 years. I could t have asked for to baseball fans to met fans the feelings or. Saver Are Mutual. Tel i tort Tim cubs tip pirates on Moreland or cuts Tom heir nuns expos Jeff head who made potent glow in ulcer reined ont. By the associated Prett Chicago Keith Moreland missed bunt sign but saw Rick Reuschel s fast Ball on the next pitch just Fine. After Moreland failed to Bull a 1-0pitch from the Pittsburgh right hander he drove the next Pilch into the left Field bleachers Wilh Leon Durham on base and nobody out in the Bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Chicago cubs o a3-2 Victory Over the pirates on monday. Moreland s Homer his 12th of the year came after Durham had opened the ninth against Reuschel 5-4, with a single. I haled missing that sign on a 1-0 pitch and i m sure i la get fined because know manager Gene Michael does not like being disobeyed Moreland said. I passed on inc sign to have Morelan move the runner Durham to second and had Reuschel s pitch been a strike i Proba Bly would have become angry Thitu base coach John Vukovich said. Moreland s Homer made a Winner of Jamie Moyer 8-4. Who pitched his firs Complete game since last aug. 16, and Only the club s third Complete game of he season. It was the cubs first Complete game since april 26 52 games when Steve Trout beat Montreal 7-1. Moyer walked four and struck out three while allowing eight hits including a two run iwo Oul Homer in the eighth inning to Andy Van Slyke thai at the time gave the pirates a 2-1 Edge. We All know the kind of Pitcher Reuschel is and on the second Pilch twas a sinker that was called a Bill and then i got the go ahead 10 swing at the no Roundup next pitch and 1 was Able to drive in Moreland pirates trailed 1-0 with two out in the eighth when Diaz Drew a walk and Van Slyck followed Wilh his ninth Homer of the season. The cubs scored their first run when Dave Martinez tripled with one out in the third inning and came Home on Rafael Palmeiro s single to left. Moyer who worked out of jams in each of the second and third innings after the pirates had put two runners on base after one put was saved by Marti Nez in the fifth Bonds Drew a one out walk and after being trapped off fire by Moyer beat Durham s throw to second fora Sto Len base. After striking out Bobby Bonilla Moyer also walked Johnny Ray. Diaz to lion hit a Long drive to right Center but Martinez made a Fine running catch trend the inning. Cuts expos postponed St. Louis the is. Louis Cardi nays Monical expos came was postponed monday night after a 2 hour and 10 minute rain delay. The game was halted after three full innings with the expos leading 2-1. No make up Dale had been set the postponement erased a two run Homer by Tom Foley that would have been Hii third of the season and vines Coteman s single which would have extended his Streak of reaching base on a hit or a walk in 51 straight games
