Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Add to GoodReads

The Last Icon

Tom Seaver and His Times

Steven Travers

In early 1969, New York City and all it represented was in disarray: politically, criminally, and athletically. But while Simon and Garfunkel lamented the absence of a sports icon like Joe DiMaggio, a modern Lancelot rode forth to lead the New York Mets to heights above and beyond all sports glory.

This book tells the complete, unvarnished story of the great Tom Seaver, that rarest of all American heroes, the New York Sports Icon. In a city that produces not mere mortals but sports gods, Seaver represented the last of a breed. His deeds, his times, his town—it was part of a vanishing era, an era of innocence. In 1969, six years after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Seaver and the Mets were the last gasp of idealism before free agency, Watergate, and cynicism. Here is the story of “Tom Terrific” of the “Amazin’ Mets,” a man worthy of a place alongside DiMaggio, Ruth, Mantle, and Namath in the pantheon of New York idols.

Taylor Trade Publishing

Pages: 312 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-1-58979-660-7 • Hardback • November 2011 • $24.95 • (£18.99)

978-1-4930-4187-9 • Paperback • April 2019 • $18.95 • (£14.99)

978-1-58979-661-4 • eBook • November 2011 • $11.99 • (£8.99)

Subjects: Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History, Biography & Autobiography / Sports

The Last Icon

Tom Seaver and His Times

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

In early 1969, New York City and all it represented was in disarray: politically, criminally, and athletically. But while Simon and Garfunkel lamented the absence of a sports icon like Joe DiMaggio, a modern Lancelot rode forth to lead the New York Mets to heights above and beyond all sports glory.

This book tells the complete, unvarnished story of the great Tom Seaver, that rarest of all American heroes, the New York Sports Icon. In a city that produces not mere mortals but sports gods, Seaver represented the last of a breed. His deeds, his times, his town—it was part of a vanishing era, an era of innocence. In 1969, six years after John F. Kennedy’s assassination, Seaver and the Mets were the last gasp of idealism before free agency, Watergate, and cynicism. Here is the story of “Tom Terrific” of the “Amazin’ Mets,” a man worthy of a place alongside DiMaggio, Ruth, Mantle, and Namath in the pantheon of New York idols.

Details

Taylor Trade Publishing

Pages: 312 • Trim: 6½ x 9½

978-1-58979-660-7 • Hardback • November 2011 • $24.95 • (£18.99)

978-1-4930-4187-9 • Paperback • April 2019 • $18.95 • (£14.99)

978-1-58979-661-4 • eBook • November 2011 • $11.99 • (£8.99)

Subjects: Sports & Recreation / Baseball / History, Biography & Autobiography / Sports

Author

Steven Travers is a USC graduate and ex-professional baseball player. He is the author of the best-selling Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman, nominated for a Casey Award (Best Baseball Book of 2002). He is also the author of The USC Trojans: College Football's All-Time Greatest Dynasty and One Night, Two Teams: Alabama vs. USC and the Game that Changed the Nation. He lives in San Anselmo, California.

Reviews

A fascinating new book...
— Steve Serby, Sports Columnist; New York Post

I really enjoy your writing and how you tell the story.
— Pete Spadora; Spadora on Sports

You have again handled the Seaver subject matter with aplomb.
— Marty Lurie, San Francisco Giants' pre-game host

...[A]nyone who grew up admiring Tom Terrific will enjoy reading. Clearly New Yorkers and Mets fans will get the most out of this book, but anyone who has ever debated just who the best pitcher in baseball's long history will find grist for the mill within the pages.
— AtHomePlate.com

...[a] must-read for any Mets fan, and for any baseball fan for that matter.
— Diane LaRue, Book Chick Di blog

...[A] friendly, well-researched book about one of the great men of all time...
— Eric Alterman, The Nation

The Last Icon

Tom Seaver and His Times

Steven Travers

The Last Icon

Tom Seaver and His Times

ALSO AVAILABLE