What is it: 1968 Topps #45, Tom Seaver
What makes it Interesting: In case "He's Tom Fucking Seaver" wasn't a good enough reason...
I find the '68s to be rather dreary, whatever this design on the front of the card is supposed to be isn't quite clear and just looks dumb. But, the set includes a few rather important Mets cards, among them the Rookie Card of Jerry Koosman (I don't have this one—it's shared with another guy with two first names who's rather famous), and the return of Gil Hodges as Mets Manager. And Seaver's first solo card.
Seaver, at a rather boyish 24, had already established himself as an emerging star in '68. Voted National League Rookie of the Year in '67 (one of only four Mets to win this award), he only went up from there. Over the next decade, he would establish himself as the Mets first true Superstar, the face of a franchise that would reach the World Series a pair of times, winning, of course, in '69. Other notable exploits include 3 Cy Young Awards (one of only two Mets to win this award), 4 20+ win seasons, 3 ERA titles, 5 times leading the league in strikeouts, 10 times an All-Star, and today remains the Mets all-time leader in Wins, Strikeouts, ERA, Innings pitched, Games started, Complete Games and Shutouts.
AND...the only player in team history to have his number retired.
AND...the only player in the Hall of Fame in a Mets cap.
Interesting enough?
Card Back:
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