This day in NY sports history

THIS DAY IN NY SPORTS HISTORY

Friday, April 1, 1966

Mets 'win' Seaver

Commissioner William Eckert pulled a "Mets" slip out of a hat and, with that, a 21-year-old Tom Seaver was awarded to the team for $50,000. Only the Mets, Phillies and Indians were in the drawing after Eckert voided the contract the pitcher had signed with the Braves in January. MLB deemed the signing illegal because USC, his college team, had played two exhibition games. As well, the NCAA ruled Seaver ineligible because he'd signed a professional contract. Eckert eventually ruled that the teams willing to match the value of the Braves' contract would enter a Seaver lottery. Seaver made his big-league debut a year later, and in 12 seasons with the Mets, the Hall of Famer had a 2.57 ERA with 198 wins.