To his parents, he was George. To friends, Tom. To the National League, he was Cy Young. He went by and was known by many names including Tom Terrific.

The most important of those monikers was The Franchise.

Perhaps no player was more synonymous with a team than Tom Seaver was with the New York Mets. He brought the team to greatness. He was easily the best player to ever play for the franchise.

For that matter, he’s quite possibly the best greatest starting pitcher post World War II. To date, there has never been a starting pitcher inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame with a higher percentage of the vote.

There are many who can wax poetic about the Imperfect Game, the 19 strikeout game, the Rookie of the Year, three Cy Young, 1969, 1973, and his return in 1983.

We can talk about our rejoice in his no-hitter and reaching 300 wins and 3,000 strikeouts. There was so much to appreciate and cheer.

As Mets fans we were lucky to have Seaver. But now, like in 1977, he’s gone, and we’re absolutely heart broken. At age 75, Seaver has died.

We talk about the Midnight Massacre. There was the 1973, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2015, and 2016 postseason losses. There was the 1998, 2007, and 2008 collapses. As Mets fans, we’ve known many low and sad moments.

This is worse than all of them combined. Seaver, the best thing about this team, is gone. The Franchise is gone forever.

Hopefully soon, we can one day walk down 41 Seaver Way. We may one day soon see the Seaver statue. His number hangs in left field, and his plaque is in Cooperstown. There are just so many honors and memories of him.

We each have our own special ones. Those will never go away. Now, more than ever, as should cherish them while saying a prayer for Seaver and his family.

Say one for your fellow Mets fans as well. We lost the person which made our team great. We lost the man who showed us anything is possible, even for the Mets.

But, the memories, those remain. They’ll live on forever. And so will Seaver because the legends never truly die.

He’s alive in the record books, the plaques, statues, and the stories you hear. You’ll hear more of them from Gary Cohen, Howie Rose, other Mets fans, and baseball greats. You’ll hear it from parents and grandparents. Listen and take it all in.

Appreciate what made Seaver great from those who knew and saw. Love them for it, and remember why you move the Mets. And yes, mourn Seaver being gone.

As Mets fans, we love and cherish Seaver. We always have and always will. That will never change.

Thank you for everything Seaver. May you Rest In Peace.