Remembering Mets History (2022) Tom Seaver Statue Unveiled & the Mets Home Opener

Good Friday April 15th, 2022: On this day, the new Mets ownership finally did what should have been done many years ago, they unveiled a statue of the greatest Met of all, The Franchise, Tom Seaver. 

A spectacular bronze statue of Tom Terrific in mid delivery, with his knee just about to touch the ground, as was his trademark, will forever live outside Citi Field. For those of us who idolized him in his glory days, it was an emotional event, worthy of shedding a few tears.

Tom's wife Nancy, his daughters Sara & Anne, as well as other family members, were on hand for the event. Tom & Nancy, once the darling young handsome couple, of New York in the swinging sixties & exciting seventies. 

They would often appear together, in the newspapers, on magazine covers, advertisements & TV spots. 

We saw his daughters grow up through the years, in the annual Mets yearbooks, as his family were part of ours. Those were great days, two pennants, a world championship, three Cy Young Awards & so many highlights & records.

Sadly, the years have gone by quickly, we lost Tom in 2020, I still ask the question "How does Tom Seaver die?" He can't" It shows us, our own mortality, that no matter how great, how strong & how important one is, it must all end one day.  

Today, the Mets fans once again welcomed the Seaver family, as thousands showed up to see the statue unveiling. A chant of "Nancy Seaver" was warmly chanted throughout the crowd. 

Nancy addressed the crowd & her husband as well: "Tom, its so nice to have you here where you belong. I need to express my gratitude to the Mets organization for having this very special tribute to Tom. I would like to thank old friends, dear friends & Mets friends."

Mike Piazza made a short speech, talking about how Seaver brought Faith to the Mets & the fans. He then told a great story, about how Seaver wanted to warm up in the bullpen, to be ready before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch, for the opening of Citi Field in 2009.

Game Time: After the Seaver ceremony, on Jackie Robinson Day, the Mets had their home opener of 2022. 

Welcome new manager Buck Showalter, as well as the new additions to the Mets team, in hopes of a promising new season.

In the top of the 1st, Chris Bassitt took the mound for the Mets & got things officially underway for 2022, at home. 

After getting Daulton Varsho to strike out for the first out of the season, Ketel Marte doubled & David Peralta walked. But Bassitt ended any idea the D-backs may have had about scoring, striking out Christian Walker & getting Pavin Smith to pop out.

Jeff McNeil got the first Mets hit of the day with a single, Starling Marte followed with another base hit. Francisco Lindor's grounder advanced McNeil to third. Pete Alonso then drove in the first Mets run at home for 2022 with a sac fly to left.

In the third, McNeil singled again, Starling Marte then grounded into a force play. He stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Jose Herrera into center field. Pete Alonso drove in his second run with his second sacrifice fly of the day, 2-0 Mets.

The Mets tacked on another run in the 4th, on Robinson Cano's first HR of the year. In the 5th after Marte singled to center, Francisco Lindor blasted a two run HR to right field, putting the Mets up 5-0.

In the 7th, Lindor would reach base with a walk & then steal second. Eduardo Escobar would later double to bring in Lindor with the Mets 6th run.

The Mets would break the game open in the 8th inning. J.D. Davis led off with a walk. Then Travis Jankowski collected his third hit of the day, with a liner to center. 

After James McCann & Jeff McNeil were retired, Starling Marte collected his third hit of the day, a big three run HR to put the Mets up 9-1. It was Marte's first of the year. Then Francisco Lindor added his second HR, going back-to-back as the Mets went on to a 10-3 win.

For Chris Bassitt, after the 1st inning, he allowed just one hit, a walk & a hit batsman until the 6th inning, when he gave up a solo HR to Varshow.   

Overall, he went to 2-0, going six innings allowing just two hits, a HR, two walks & striking out six. Shreve & Drew Smith both tossed scoreless innings & Reid Foley gave up two runs on a hit & two walks in the 9th.

Trivia: The four HRs were the most bythe Mets in a home opener. Lindor became the third Met to hit two HRs in a home opener as well. 

Lindor had two hits, both HRs, with a pair of walks, three runs scored & three RBIs.

Quotes- Francisco Lindor: "It felt amazing to be welcomed by one of the greatest fan bases out there. It felt great to be able to hear my home crowd cheering me on."