Longtime opponents expressed their admiration for Seaver. Larry Bowa, 74, the former Philadelphia Phillies player, manager and coach, wrote in part, “ He was one of the toughest pitchers I faced in my career and off the field he was a great person. RIP.” Bowa hit just .212 over 132 at-bats against Seaver.

Younger generations of Mets players also recognized Seaver’s legend. The former shortstop Jose Reyes, 37, wrote, “The have had a lot of great players in their history, but Tom Seaver was the best. RIP to a true gentleman. I didn’t know him well but we always had great talks when we saw each other.”

M.L.B. Commissioner Rob Manfred issued a statement delivering his condolences to Seaver’s family and “his admirers throughout our game, Mets fans, and the many people he touched.” He added, “Tom was a gentleman who represented the best of our national pastime. He was synonymous with the New York Mets and their unforgettable 1969 season. After their improbable World Series Championship, Tom became a household name to baseball fans — a responsibility he carried out with distinction throughout his life.”

Tony Clark, a former player and the current head of the players’ union, sent his sympathies in a statement of his own: “Tom Seaver will be remembered as a fierce and gifted competitor, a Hall of Fame pitcher whose passion never wavered on or off the field. He was a strong and steady voice on behalf of his fellow players as the Mets’ player representative in the early days of the Players Association.”

Appreciations of Seaver stretched beyond sports. Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey wrote, in part, that Seaver was “a giant, and his legacy will not soon be forgotten.”

Source: New York Times

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