Editor’s Note
This article highlights a poignant auction of personal memorabilia belonging to baseball legend Tom Seaver, including his Hall of Fame plaque and 1969 World Series ring. It serves as a reminder of his iconic career and the enduring legacy of “The Franchise.”
The late, great New York Mets pitcher Tom Seaver’s Hall of Fame induction plaque and his 1969 World Series championship ring are among nearly 200 items from his personal collection being sold in Heritage Auctions’ Winter Platinum Sports Catalog auction, which runs through March 1.
The 10-carat gold ring, featuring a diamond inset and engraved with the words “New York Mets World Champions 1969” along with Seaver’s signature, is estimated to fetch up to $300,000.
The auction house noted that Seaver’s 1969 season, which earned him the nickname “Tom Terrific,” is considered “one of the most commanding pitching performances in modern baseball history” and led the team to its first championship.
His 1992 Baseball Hall of Fame induction plaque was also selected for the auction by Anne and her mother, Nancy, after they sifted through items in Seaver’s office and storage area at their California home. The 9-by-6-inch bronze plaque, a replica of the one displayed in the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, describes Seaver as a “franchise power pitcher who transformed Mets from lovable losers into formidable foes.” It could sell for around $40,000.
Seaver, widely regarded as the greatest Met in franchise history, passed away in 2020.
Anne said she never fully grasped the extent of her father’s fan base until after his death, when fans began connecting with her on social media.
