Remarkable Piece of Tom Seaver History to be Auctioned by Geppi’s Memorabilia Road Show
A handwritten message to the fans by a Seaver overcome with emotion
A handwritten message to Mets fans, written by a Tom Seaver too overcome to speak the words after
the Mets traded him to Cincinnati 28 years ago, will be available at auction through Geppi’s Memorabilia
Road Show, culminating October 27.
In a shock throughout the sports world, Tom "The Franchise" Seaver was traded to the Reds at
the June 15 trading deadline in 1977 over a salary dispute with Mets management. Mets fans still talk
about the sad day in team history.
Speaking the day after the trade to reporters as he cleaned out his Shea Stadium locker, a visibly overcome
Seaver poured out his emotions over leaving the team he had led to a world championship in 1969.
After several questions, a writer asked him what he would like to say to Mets fans. He began speaking, then
broke down, and sobbing, took a spiral note pad and pen from Hal Bock of The Associated Press and wrote:
"and the ovation the other night after passing S Koufax will be one of the most memorable and warm
moments in my life."
Bock returned to the AP office in midtown Manhattan and filed his story. He showed the note to fellow AP
sportswriter Bruce Lowitt (now a contributor to the Tampa Tribune), who appreciated the historic nature of
the note, especially Seaver, a future Hall of Famer, referencing Koufax. (Seaver left the Mets with 2,406
strikeouts, ten more than Koufax had in his career).
And now after more than a quarter century, the note to fans, well covered at the time, is coming up for auction.
The auction, by phone, fax and email, will also include the Bert Padell Collection, one of the largest single
consignor auctions since Barry Halper, the Stanley Weston-Toby Weston Cone Collection of boxing memorabilia,
which at one time made up the Boxing Hall of Fame in old Madison Square Garden, the Arthur Richman Collection,
from the longtime sportswriter and club executive, and consignments from Orioles great Brooks Robinson.
Geppi’s Memorabilia Road Show is unique in obtaining all consignments directly from sports insiders, notably
players, their families or their representatives, or those who worked in the industry.
The company is headquartered at 1966 Greenspring Drive, Timonium, Maryland 21093. The telephone number is 877-ROAD-SHW. (877-762-3749). The website is www.geppismemorabiliaroadshow.com.
Source: Geppi’s Memorabilia Road Show
Date: July 22, 2005
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