1986 Red Sox/Tom Seaver

[Kitty Kaat]

I have been watching the 1986 World Series DVDs and they have mentioned a few times what a sight it would have been to have had Seaver pitching against the Mets. This is classic what if, but how would have Seaver changed that series if any? He would have started probably game 3 I'm guessing. Did he have much left in the tank then? I know he retired after the season, but I thought I read somewhere he tried to comeback with the Mets during the next Spring Training.

[SamtheBravesFan]

I don't think he would have made much difference, really. That's gut instinct. He MAY have done something, but we'll never really know. He did only go less than 6 innings four times with Boston, but two of those starts were four-inning starts right at the end.

[Captain Cold Nose]

Hindsight would say anyone would have been better in the later innings of Game 6 that what they used . . .

There is a reason he was left off the roster. He wasn't as suitable a starter as Clemens/Hurst/Boyd and he wasn't a reliever and they didn't want to keep him as opposed to the younger arms on that team.

[HDH]

If I remember right and I may not, Tom Seaver was hurt with a thigh, back, or foot strain for the final three or four weeks of the season right after he was traded from one Sox to the other Sox. I don't remember exactly but, I remember that it wasn't his arm.

Incidently, I was at Yankee stadium when ChiSox's Tom Seaver beat the Yankees for his 300th win.

[maxcarey]

HDH is correct, Seaver was out with an injury. He was most certainly in the Red Sox plans for the post season. Had Seaver been active, he likely would have started Game 4 instead of Al Nipper. Whether the outcome would have been different (the Mets won the game and tied the Series) is open to debate.

[parlo]

If I remember right and I may not, Tom Seaver was hurt with a thigh, back, or foot strain for the final three or four weeks of the season right after he was traded from one Sox to the other Sox. I don't remember exactly but, I remember that it wasn't his arm.

Incidently, I was at Yankee stadium when ChiSox's Tom Seaver beat the Yankees for his 300th win.

Lindsey Nelson was brought back to the booth to call the ninth inning of Seavers 300 win.

[parlo]

I have been watching the 1986 World Series DVDs and they have mentioned a few times what a sight it would have been to have had Seaver pitching against the Mets. This is classic what if, but how would have Seaver changed that series if any? He would have started probably game 3 I'm guessing. Did he have much left in the tank then? I know he retired after the season, but I thought I read somewhere he tried to comeback with the Mets during the next Spring Training.

I think his comeback was in the spring of 1988. I am not sure but I remember him being out of the game when he made the attempt.

Also, the Mets faced Nolan Ryan (69 Mets) in the NLCS against the Astros. And Yogi Berra 69, 73 Mets) was in the dugout.

[Gary Dunaier]

I think his comeback was in the spring of 1988. I am not sure but I remember him being out of the game when he made the attempt.

No, it was the spring of 1987. The game in which Seaver pitched was broadcast into New York, I think it was on radio because I remember debating whether or not to tape the broadcast (and finally deciding not to).

[parlo]

No, it was the spring of 1987. The game in which Seaver pitched was broadcast into New York, I think it was on radio because I remember debating whether or not to tape the broadcast (and finally deciding not to).

OK!
Actually that does make sense because the 87 Mets were short on pitching.
Gooden was in rehab, Ojeda was hurt etc.

[Brian McKenna]

Seaver suffered a right knee strain (he felt it snap) on 9/19/1986 during the fouth inning in Toronto.

The Sox were looking for him to start Game 4 of the ALCS if things lined up. The thought was to pitch him on the last game of the season to see how he was and then decide to add him to the post season roster - didn't happen. His knee required surgery.

[Brian McKenna]

Seaver was not at spring training in 1987. He never received an offer.

Seaver was signed by the Mets in June 1987. He joined the club on 6/6. He was hit hard on 6/11 in an exhibition game vs. Triple-A Tidewater. He pitched again on 6/16 and 6/20 in simulated games. He announced his retirement on 6/22.

[parlo]

I also vaguely remember Seaver getting a big standing ovation at Shea.
But if he wasnt on the postseason roster, they wouldnt have mentioned his name.

[maxcarey]

If he was on the DL or injured reserve, he would still take the field with the team for pregame introductions.

[Gary Dunaier]

Seaver was not at spring training in 1987. He never received an offer.

Seaver was signed by the Mets in June 1987. He joined the club on 6/6. He was hit hard on 6/11 in an exhibition game vs. Triple-A Tidewater. He pitched again on 6/16 and 6/20 in simulated games. He announced his retirement on 6/22.

Yes, now that you mention it that sounds right. That 6/11/87 game has to have been the one that was broadcast.