Baseball Great Tom Seaver Dies with Dementia

Known as "Tom Terrific", New York Met Tom Seaver has passed away at the age of 75. According to a press release from the Baseball Hall of Fame, Seaver died in his sleep due to complications from Lyme disease, Lewy body dementia, and COVID-19.

The Hall of Fame pitcher played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball. He had 311 victories, 3,640 career strikeouts, and three Cy Young Awards. He played for the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox from 1967 to 1986.

Seaver, a twelve-time all-star, may be best known for putting the New York Mets on the map in 1969. He was a vital part of the 1969 World Series Champion "Miracle Mets" overtaking the Chicago Cubs, winning the National League, and then winning the World Series.

His family announced he was diagnosed with dementia in March 2019, following his retirement from public life.

Family Speaks Out

"We are heartbroken to share that our beloved husband and father has passed away," his wife Nancy Seaver and daughters Sarah and Anne said in a statement.

"We send our love out to his fans, as we mourn his loss with you."

Social media was full of reactions remembering one of baseball's greatest pitchers.

Seaver revealed to the New York Daily News in March of 2013 that he was suffering from a recurrence of his Lyme disease. He had contracted Lyme disease in 1991, working in his garden. Doctors had told him that the brain damage was irreversible and that his dementia would worsen. By October of 2018, he longer communicated with friends. 

Lewy-Body dementia is the second most common dementia. There is research into diseases like Lyme disease that is thought to facilitate the progression of dementia, including Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer's dementia. 

Cognitive decline is one of the most common reasons people require long-term care services. There are over 100 types of dementia. These dementias are all progressive, with brain functioning changing over time requiring the person to need more supervision and help with daily activities.