Tom Seaver’s impact on baseball extended beyond the mound and into living rooms through two fascinating tabletop games that bear his name: the Tom Seaver Action Sports game by Pressman and the Tom Seaver Electric Baseball game by Gotham Pressed Steel Corporation. Each game, in its own unique way, captures the excitement of the sport and honors one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
Tom Seaver Action Sports: Pressman’s Dexterity Challenge
The Tom Seaver Action Sports game offers a blend of strategy and skill. Set on a two-tiered, pressed-metal field within a wooden frame, players take turns pitching and batting in a game designed to simulate real baseball with an added dexterity element. The field features strategically placed holes—some for hits and others for outs—adding a layer of suspense with every play. The automatic umpire bell adds a nice touch of authenticity, with its "strike" or "ball" call based on where the pitch lands.
This game emerged from the Pressman Toy Corporation, which was founded in 1922 by Jack Pressman. The company quickly became a household name, introducing family-friendly games such as Chinese Checkers (originally marketed as "Hop Ching Checkers") and becoming a pioneer in licensing toys tied to popular media figures. Under the leadership of Lynn Pressman following Jack’s death in 1959, the company continued to innovate, and the Tom Seaver Action Sports game is a testament to that vision. With Lynn at the helm, Pressman focused on making engaging and interactive games that brought the energy of the sporting world into the home.
Tom Seaver Electric Baseball: Gotham Pressed Steel’s Rare Gem
Another tribute to "Tom Terrific" came in the form of the Tom Seaver Electric Baseball game, manufactured in 1975 by Gotham Pressed Steel Corporation. Gotham, which had its roots in producing durable, pressed-metal toys, made a name for itself by creating some of the sturdiest and most innovative playsets of its time. Known for their electric and mechanical features, Gotham's games often included realistic elements designed to capture the thrill of sports.
The Tom Seaver Electric Baseball game was actually an updated version of Gotham's 1947 Carl Hubbell’s Mechanical Baseball game.
While the Hubbell version used a purely mechanical system, the Seaver edition brought electric power into the mix, enhancing the overall experience. The grandstands featured colorful phrases like "Go Go Seaver," "Sock It To 'Em," and "Win Win Win," giving fans a stadium-like atmosphere within their own homes. Though the passage of time has often left these games with scratches and missing parts, their rarity today makes them highly coveted by collectors.
Beyond baseball, Gotham Pressed Steel also produced versions of games for all four major sports: baseball, football, basketball, and hockey. They showcased some of New York's biggest sports icons, including regional stars like Joe Namath in football, Willis Reed and Walt Frazier in basketball, and Brad Park in hockey. Gotham’s attention to detail and dedication to honoring the stars of the game made their playsets stand out, and the Tom Seaver Electric Baseball game is a perfect reflection of that tradition.
A Tribute to Tom Seaver’s Legacy
Both games celebrate the illustrious career of Tom Seaver, one of baseball’s most beloved figures. Whether through the action-packed, dexterity-focused gameplay of Pressman’s Tom Seaver Action Sports or the electric-powered update to Gotham’s classic Hubbell game with Tom Seaver Electric Baseball, these games capture the excitement of baseball and the legacy of a true Hall of Famer.
For collectors and Seaver fans alike, these games are more than just toys—they are pieces of history, encapsulating the golden era of baseball and the indelible mark Tom Seaver left on the sport. As rarities in today’s market, they serve as cherished memorabilia that keep the spirit of Tom Seaver alive for generations to come.
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