Before the Mets’ home opener, a statue of Tom Seaver was unveiled outside Citi Field.

On Friday morning, a piece of Mets history was exposed under a bright sky in Queens, with thousands of Mets fans crammed into the area surrounding the home run apple on the Citi Field plaza.

“Tom Seaver was our sunlight,” Howie Rose, the Mets’ radio voice, said as the sheet was torn away to unveil the massive Seaver monument that will now welcome fans as they enter the ballpark. In a season full of potential for the Mets, commencing their home schedule with a tribute to the franchise’s greatest player seems like an appropriate way to get things started.

Mike Piazza, Keith Hernandez, Ron Darling, and even Jacob deGrom, who made his way from the Mets’ clubhouse for the ceremony, were among the many legends in attendance. Chris Christie, the former governor of New Jersey, was also present to pay tribute to the Mets’ famous pitcher. The stars aligned for a spectacular day in Flushing on the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking Major League Baseball’s colour barrier, and on a day when all players throughout the league will wear Robinson’s No. 42.

Piazza said, “What a lovely day!” “Let’s go Mets!” exclaims the crowd.

Piazza said, “It’s been stated that humility is royalty without the crown.” “This is why Tom Seaver is our king.” This monument is a lovely memorial and a memory that will live on in our hearts forever.”

Seaver was represented by his spouse Nancy and children Sarah and Anne, who died in August 2020.

Nancy spoke to the statue, “Hello, Tom.” “It’s wonderful to have you back where you belong. I want to thank the Mets organisation for putting together such a wonderful memorial to Tom.”

Nancy, who took the platform after Piazza, Steve Cohen, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, was extremely sad. Nancy talked on how the city of New York has always been supportive of her and her family, who are from California.

“We were welcomed by the supporters and the general public soon after we arrived.” We instantly felt at ease as a result of this. It’s great to see you and all the Mets caps again. You were always very thrilled about the Seaver family and so supportive of them. That means a lot to me.”

The statue is a work of art in and of itself. The statue, sculpted by William Behrends, bears a stunning likeness to Seaver, replicating his characteristic pitching motion to a tee.

As Seaver executes his drop and drive delivery, one can practically feel the earth caking itself to his right knee, which is made of 2,000 pounds of bronze and 1,200 pounds of steel.

Richards yelled, “Tom showed us what a great champion he was as a player and as a person.” “He was impenetrable on the mound.” He demonstrated to the rest of the world that great things can and do happen in New York City’s greatest borough.”

Every non-family member who spoke out about the legitimacy that Seaver provided to the Mets during their early days as the National League’s lovable losers echoed this sentiment. Whether it was his Rookie of the Year campaign as a precocious 22-year-old in 1967, or his Rookie of the Year campaign as a precocious 22-year-old in 1968,

Every Mets fan of a certain age has happy memories of the guy who placed the team on the map, whether it was his league-leading 25 wins in 1969 when he earned his first Cy Young Award and the Mets won the World Series, or his third Cy Young Award season in 1975 when the Mets won the World Series.

“When I thought of the Mets as a youngster, I thought of Tom Seaver,” Cohen remarked. “I can still picture the windup with his leg dragging in the mud and the ball blasting from his palm. He changed the Mets, captivated New York, and gained Mets fans’ hearts.”

Seaver’s 2.57 ERA over 395 starts with the Mets is legendary. He is still the franchise’s all-time leader in strikeouts, innings pitched, wins, shutouts, complete games, Opening Day starts, and WAR by a pitcher. The only doubt about his grandeur was why a statue of him hadn’t been erected sooner.

Nancy told the audience of blue-and-orange-clad admirers, “I couldn’t be more proud.” “I adore each and every one of you.”

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