A fitting honor for the Mets superstar known as "Tom Terrific": the Mets are changing the address of their home park, Citi Field, from 123-01 Roosevelt Avenue to 41 Seaver Way, honoring hall of fame pitcher Tom Seaver and the number he wore.

"He is 'The Franchise,' he's the best player in Mets history" said one Mets fan who attended the ceremony.

New York City officials agreed to the team's request to rename the 126th Street address.

"At the home of the Mets sits at an address which will forever salute a man who made his team a champion and created a bond with the citizens of our town that will live in perpetuity," added longtime Mets radio announcer Howie Rose.

Seaver broke into the Big Leagues with the Mets in 1967, winning the Rookie of the Year award.

He played 12 seasons for the Mets and still holds several team records, including wins, innings pitched, shutouts, and complete games.

Seaver was selected to the All-Star Game 12 times, won three Cy Young Awards, and is one of only 10 pitchers to collect more than 3,000 strikeouts and 300 wins.

But what many hometown fans loved most about him was that he was the pitching anchor of the "Miracle Mets," the 1969 World Series champions.

"A player like Tom Seaver comes along once in a lifetime, He is undoubtedly the most prominent and dominant pitcher in our teams history and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest players to wear a Mets uniform" said Jeff Wilpon, the chief operating officer for the Mets.

Earlier this year, Seaver's family announced that the 74-year-old right hander had dementia and was retiring from public life. So Seaver's daughters and grandsons attended Thursday's ceremony in his place, joined by fans and former 1969 teammates.

"Tom Seaver came here and was a hall of famer from Day One" said Ron Swoboda, an outfielder with the 1969 New York Mets.

The Mets also announced that a statue of Seaver will be erected in front the stadium by next season, an honor fans have long sought.

"He was a power pitcher, he had grace, he has style. He is and was 'The Franchise," said another Mets fan.

Wilpon said it might be a year to 18 months before the statue of 9 to 12 feet is in place, allowing liberty for the "artist doing his thing."

The Mets will continue their celebration of the 1969 team as the organization honors the 50th anniversary of their first World Series.

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Information from the Associated Press was included in this report.