Desiring to celebrate Tom Seaver’s Life, state liquor laws preclude a proper celebration

Tom Seaver’s passing leaves a mark of sadness to people like me that grew up watching him. His impressive pitching and the way he carried himself, made us all want to be the next Tom Seaver.

Although his greatest years were with the Mets, his greatest accomplishment came with my beloved White Sox. On August 5, 1985, Seaver won his 300th game in a White Sox uniform. A great day that I will never forget.

When I thought of these great memories, I also thought about the sadness of Mr. Seaver’s passing and what his family was going through.

But like many Irish people, I am taught to also celebrate a life well lived and cherish the happy moments.

So, this weekend I will watch numerous Tom Seaver highlights and watch his 300th victory again.

But what is really missing from the celebration is a good bottle of the wine produced from the Seaver Vineyards.

In addition to baseball, Tom Seaver was also passionate and proud of his talents as a winemaker. After baseball ended, Tom Seaver and his family started a successful winery. It’s a limited production winery producing 400-500 cases per year.

Many of his wines are rated by Wine Spectator in the High 90s. The same talents he displayed on the baseball field carried over to his vineyards.

As I went onto the Seaver Vineyards website, there was no place to order wine directly from the manufacturer.

The only place a consumer could order the wine from is a wine retailer. Unfortunately, I could not locate the wine from an Illinois retailer, the only retailers listing Seaver’s wine for sale were located in California and New York.

Illinois wine retailer shipping laws preclude me from obtaining the wine from a retailer in another state. Although I demand the product and the out-of-state retailer can supply the product, Illinois state liquor laws put a fence around Illinois and preclude me from getting my hands on a bottle of GTS Cabernet Sauvignon!

As my best friend and I discussed Tom Seaver, I told him about my lack of ability to get his wine because of Illinois law. My best friend is not well versed in the liquor world and thought I was joking. He just couldn’t get his head around the whole concept.

I am mad as hell! To fully celebrate Mr. Seaver as a complete person and more than just an athlete, I wanted to take in his baseball heroics and his winemaking. It only seemed fair to honor him in this way.

This situation is another example where protectionist state liquor laws hamper our desires as consumers. Wine more than any alcohol has special meaning to people. To some it has a religious meaning, to some it has a family meaning, and to some it has a sentimental meaning. And to some you better be lucky to live in a state that allows you access to the special wine you desire!

This weekend, I will still celebrate a life well lived, but the celebration will not be complete, as my state liquor laws preclude me from fulfilling my wishes!

Rest in peace Mr. Seaver, your live was terrific!