Seaver Knew deGrom Was Poised for Greatness

By Jay Horwitz

I know Tom Seaver Would have loved it if Jacob deGrom had broken the records he set 51 years ago today, when he struck out the final 10 batters in a 2–1 win over the San Diego Padres at Shea Stadium.

Tom told friends he admired the way Jacob competed and how he conducted himself on the mound. Seaver followed the box scores of Jake’s starts during his rookie season in 2014 and predicted great things. Boy was he right.

Jacob fell one strikeout short of Seaver’s mark against the Colorado Rockies when he fanned nine straight batters. Surley, 10 is on the horizon. If that should happen I know no one would be happier than Tom Seaver.