Tom Seaver Quote

[Centerfield]

Guys,



I might be completely making this up. But I feel like I once read a quote that was attributed to Tom Seaver. The gist of it was when the inning is over, all the other fielders run back to the dugout, but the pitcher walks. Takes his time. Because he's the pitcher and he's awesome. Or something like that.



Has anyone ever heard of this?

[Benjamin Grimm]

I asked Microsoft Copilot and got this response:

That's a fantastic image—Tom Seaver, the ace, strolling back to the dugout like a king surveying his domain. While I couldn't find that exact quote, Seaver was known for his deep respect for the craft of pitching and his meticulous approach to the game. He often spoke about consistency, mechanics, and the mental side of baseball2. It's possible that the sentiment you remember is something he embodied rather than explicitly stated. He was a pitcher who commanded presence, and it wouldn't be surprising if he carried himself with that kind of deliberate confidence. If you ever come across the quote again, I'd love to hear it! Meanwhile, I can dig up more Seaver wisdom if you'd like. Let me know.

And Google Gemini:

You're not completely making it up! That sentiment definitely resonates with the way Tom Seaver carried himself on the mound. While I can't find that exact quote attributed to him verbatim, the idea of the pitcher's unique role and demeanor after an inning was something he embodied. Many people who watched him play or read about him picked up on this sense of the pitcher being the central figure, the one dictating the pace and carrying a different kind of weight. The slow walk back to the dugout wasn't necessarily about arrogance, but more about a moment to collect himself, process the inning, and prepare for the next battle. Think of it this way: after exerting so much energy and focus on every pitch, the walk back was a brief period of solitude and reflection before rejoining the team. It was a visual representation of the pitcher's distinct responsibility. So, while the specific words might be a bit hazy in your memory, the feeling you have about Tom Seaver and the pitcher's deliberate walk definitely aligns with his persona and the general understanding of the pitcher's role in baseball. It's a classic image!

ChatGPT:

I couldn't find an exact match for the quote you're recalling, but it's entirely plausible that Tom Seaver—or someone writing about him—expressed a sentiment along those lines. Seaver was known for his deliberate and confident demeanor on the mound, often taking his time between innings. This behavior was part of his methodical approach to pitching, reflecting his belief that the pitcher was the centerpiece of the game. In fact, Seaver's meticulous nature extended beyond the field. He was known for his disciplined lifestyle, which included strict routines to maintain his performance. For instance, he would avoid sun exposure to prevent sunburns that could affect his pitching and would even pet dogs with his left hand to protect his right arm . Such anecdotes underscore his commitment to his craft and his self-assured presence on the mound. hoopboost.blogspot.com While I couldn't locate the specific quote, the essence of it aligns with Seaver's known persona. It's possible that the quote was paraphrased or interpreted from his behavior and attitude during his career.

[roger_that]

In other words

You're delusional.

[Frayed Knot]

From a human being's point of view I was thinking along the same lines as the bots Grimm consulted: that I don't remember any such quote or anything like it ... but it kind of sounds like something he'd say.



Seaver was definitely a big fan of a sort of rough locker room humor but I'm not sure he always noticed that not everyone within earshot of what he said was in on the joke.

For instance I don't know that there's anyone who enjoyed his annual Cooperstown weekend more than him while he was still able to attend and a gathering of members of a super-elite club is just where you'd expect to find that sort of putdown-as-sport talk. Two examples I remember him relaying:

- Chicago slugger Billy Williams, who Seaver often had trouble getting out, used to bring his brother along. The brother didn't play MLB but apparently looked a lot like Billy. While checking in Seaver notices the brother across the lobby and yells, 'I hate your brother AND I hate you for looking like him'.

- GTS at one point is sitting at a table with several other pitchers all of whom were 300 game winners. Along comes Bob Gibson and starts to pull up a chair when Seaver launches into, 'Oh No! You're not qualified to sit here. Go find someplace else.'



Now I expect those on the receiving end of those barbs took them in good humor and probably dished it out as well as Tom did. But that doesn't necessarily hold true for those who might have overheard it and/or simply weren't in with the in-crowd, and I don't know that Tom always turned that side of himself off when not among an exclusive gathering of gods-on-earth.

[metirish]

Tom loved talking pitching and loved talking about how great he was even more

[roger_that]

Frayed Knot wrote: - Chicago slugger Billy Williams, who Seaver often had trouble getting out,

Not particularly: .247 BA, 1 HR in 95 plate appearances.

[roger_that]

Now, all-time Seaver killers include Rick Monday (11 HR, 1.247 OPS in 86 PA), Stargell (8 HR, .855 OPS in 140 PA), and Willie Davis (.998 OPS in 108 PA).



Not to mention Art Shamsky: 2-for-2, 1 HR, 4 RBIs, and 3.500 OPS. Beat that with a stick.

[Frayed Knot]

Tommy Hutton was the oft-cited GTS nemesis mainly because he was .320/.435/.540 // 975 [50 ABs] despite being a .247/.340/.333 // 674 career hitter overall

[ashie62]

=metirish post_id=192046 time=1746744898 user_id=72]
Tom loved talking pitching and loved talking about how great he was even more

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Tom Seaver ... AND HIS MOUND! Tom Seaver: that powerful right arm. Tom Seaver: the player that truly put the SHEA...in Shea Stadium.

[stevejrogers]

=roger_that post_id=192049 time=1746747016 user_id=128]
Now, all-time Seaver killers include Rick Monday (11 HR, 1.247 OPS in 86 PA), Stargell (8 HR, .855 OPS in 140 PA), and Willie Davis (.998 OPS in 108 PA).

[Centerfield]

=metirish post_id=192046 time=1746744898 user_id=72]
Tom loved talking pitching and loved talking about how great he was even more

[Johnny Lunchbucket]

Griffin Canning is planning on being a total douche by the end of the year but for now he's a nice guy

[MFS62]

I always got the impression that Koosman and Koufax were nice guys.

Maybe it's the old "Lefty starter with a name beginning with K" thing.

Later

[kcmets]

CF: Pedro a jerk? I thought he was universally loved!



Vote For Pedro!

[Edgy MD]

=Centerfield post_id=192103 time=1746811514 user_id=65]
=metirish post_id=192046 time=1746744898 user_id=72]
Tom loved talking pitching and loved talking about how great he was even more

[Benjamin Grimm]

It's so hard to say, since we don't know these guys personally. I mean, sometimes you can tell from a public persona that someone is a good guy. Bill Cosby, for example. But really. Was Steve Carlton an asshole? Or did he just not like talking to reporters? That in itself wouldn't make him an asshole. Was Orel Hershiser a good guy? Al Leiter? Maybe! Dave Stieb? I have no idea. I wouldn't know Dave Stieb if he walked up to me and bit me on the ankle. I just have to hope he doesn't do that, but if he does, it will probably mean that he's not such a good guy.

[MFS62]

Bob Gibson was a nice guy, it you weren't facing him with a bat.

I was awestruck at the ripe age of 39. I expected Gibson to be a mean beast of a man as he appeared on the mound. Rather, he was the nicest guy in camp — nicest by a wide margin amid a bakers' dozen of nice guys that included renown nice guys Roy Campanella and Ernie Banks. Gibson was cordial, humble, kind, considerate. Disarmingly so.

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/10/up_close_with_bob_gibson_a_true_baseball_great.htmlhttps://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/10/up_close_with_bob_gibson_a_true_baseball_great.html

Later