Madden’s New Book Tells Terrific Story On Seaver
Longtime New York Daily News sportswriter Bill Madden knew Tom Seaver well.
For forty years their paths crossed professionally as well as personally. Three months back, on August 31, Seaver passed, after a long battle with Lewy body dementia and complications caused by COVID-19. More than a year ago, it was Seaver's family that announced at age 75, the hall of fame pitcher was retiring from public life.
Who knew the Mets, as the 1976 season was about to start, were in very serious talks of sending Seaver to the Los Angeles Dodgers in a straight up trade for future hall of famer Don Sutton? There was another trade with the Dodgers that had Seaver going to Chavez Ravine for Sutton, Pedro Guerrero and Rick Sutcliffe.
When the Mets failed to protect Seaver in January 1984's free-agency compensation draft, the 12-time all-star was unexpectedly selected by the Chicago White Sox. Madden was among a very few who knew of this, and was the first to inform the soon-to-be ex-Met.
Extensive phone conversations, visits to Seaver's Napa County 116 acres at Diamond Mountain in Calistoga, mingling at award banquets, and locker room interviews, Madden and the hall of famer chose to have a friendship earned and maintained for decades. A Terrific Life is proof of this.
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Don Laible is a freelance sportswriter living in the Mohawk Valley. He has reported on professional baseball and hockey for print, radio, and on the web since the 1980's. His columns are featured weekly at WIBX950.com. Don can be contacted via email at Don@icechipsdiamonddust.com.
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