Former Met of the Day: Tom Hall (1975)

Thomas Edward Hall was born November 23, 1947 in Thomasville, North Carolina. Hall was the Twins third round pick in 1968 and made his debut two years later. Nicknamed “the blade”, Tom had some fine seasons in the early seventies. He was primarily a reliever for four seasons in Minnesota, posting winning records every year except 1971, although he did post nine saves. In 1970 he was 11-7 with 4 saves, a 2.55 ERA and 184 strikeouts, good enough for eighth best in the AL. He pitched in two ALCS for Minnesota, going 0-1 in three games. In December 1971 he arrived in Cincinnati in a trade for pitcher Wayne Granger.

He was fantastic for the 1972 version of the Big Red Machine, going 10-1 with 8 saves and a 2.61 ERA out of their tough bull pen. In the 1972 NLCS he got the win at Three Rivers Stadium in Game #2 pitching over four innings of one run relief against the Pirates. He made four appearances againt the Oakland A’s in the ’72 Series getting a save in Game #6 tying up the Series at three apiece.

He returned to go 8-5 with 8 more saves in 1973, getting to another post season. In the 1973 NLCS he made three appearances against the Mets getting no decisions. He got roughed up at Shea, allowing three runs in Game #2, then another run in Game #3 totaling up to a whopping 54.00 ERA.

In April 1975 he was traded to the Mets for pitcher Mac Scarce. Hall went 4-3 out of the Mets pen in 1975, with one save and a 4.75 ERA. After 5 games and a 5.75 ERA in the bicentennial year, Hall was traded to Kansas City for a minor leaguer. He finished up his career in 1977 52-33 with 32 saves and a 3.27 ERA.