Tom Seaver: A Terrific Life

(Paperback)

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An authoritative, must-read (Keith Hernandez) biography of Hall of Fame pitching legend Tom Seaver, still the greatest player ever to wear a Mets jersey, by a journalist who knew him well.

He was called Tom Terrific for a reason. Tom Seaver is among the greatest pitchers of all time (Bob Costas). He is one of only two pitchers with 300 wins, 3,000 strikeouts, and an ERA under 3.00. He was a three-time Cy Young award winner, twelve-time All Star, and was elected to baseballs Hall of Fame with the highest percentage ever at the time. Popular among players and fans, Seaver was fiercely competitive but always put team success ahead of personal glory.

Born in Fresno, California, Seaver signed with the New York Mets in 1967, leading them to their stunning 1969 World Series victory. After a legendarily lopsided trade, he joined the Cincinnati Reds, then later played for the White Sox and the Red Sox before ending his career following the 1986 season. After his playing days, Seaver retired back to California to establish a successful vineyard. The in 2013, a recurrence of Lyme disease severely affected his memory, which Madden was the first to report. In 2019, Seavers family announced that he had been diagnosed with dementia and was withdrawing from public life. Tom Seaver died on August 31, 2021.

Madden began following Seavers career in the 1980s. Seaver came to trust Madden so completely that, eager to return to New York from Chicago, he asked Madden to explore a possible trade to the Yankees which never materialized. Drawing in part on their long relationship, Madden has crafted a biography as terrific as the subject (Jane Leavy, New York Times bestselling author of Sandy Koufax: A Leftys Legacy).

Reviews

"A biography that bolsters Seavers reputation as a thinker on the mound, who won by outleveling hitters in their mental preparation." -- Oskar Garcia * New York Times Book Review *
"Tom Seaver is among the greatest pitchers of all time. He is also one of the most thoughtful and perceptive athletes I have ever known. Sadly, this deeply interesting man is now unable to provide us with a memoir of his own. The closest we will ever come is found here, from the Hall of Fame baseball writer who was exceptionally close to Tom and chronicled his entire career. Bill Madden renders Tom Seavers story with the detail, insight and care it deserves." -- Bob Costas
"A vivid portrait of one of modern baseballs legendary players. . . . A fitting tribute to a great, memorable pitcher." * Kirkus Reviews *
"New York Daily Newscolumnist Bill Madden witnessed and chronicled it allthe misbegotten trade of The Franchise, the failure of the front office to ensure his place on the team after his return, and the cruel descent into dementia that forced him to withdraw from public life. Drawing on their longtime friendship and thirty hours of exclusive interviews with Seaver and his wife Nancy, Madden has crafted a biography as terrific as its subject." -- Jane Leavy, author of New York Times bestseller Sandy Koufax: a Leftys Legacy
"I've known Bill Madden since my playing days in New York. Never was there a more straightforward writer on the New York beat. He brings all his knowledge and experience to the fore in this terrific book. Add in his special relationship with Tom Seaver and you have a must-read about one of the game's most intelligent and greatest players to ever put on a uniform. Bravo Bill!" -- Keith Hernandez
"Bill Madden was the only person who could write this book of our dear friend Tom Terrific. Tom Seaver was Terrific. A Man's Man. Brilliant, funny. the best competitor I ever knew and my friend."
-- Johnny Bench
This is the biography an icon like Seaver deserves. -- Tom Verducci

Author Bio

For more than forty years Bill Madden has covered the Yankees and Major League Baseball as the national baseball columnist for theNew York Daily News.He is the author of several books, including theNew York TimesbestsellerSteinbrenner, and has collaborated on memoirs by Lou Piniellaand Don Zimmer.Madden was the 2010 recipient of the Baseball Hall of Fames J.G. Taylor Spink Award and is a member of the Writers Wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He lives in Florida.