However, having been talking to older family members about gardening, I think I made a huge mistake! I started my determinate tomato plants from seeds in early February and recently planted them in my garden rows. I was convinced that I was going to cage them and not pluck the suckers. It seemed though that everyone I spoke with said picking suckers is a must! So I did, and my plants look terrible! Will they continue to grow or have I stunted them? I know some of what was plucked wasn't even suckers. (Duh!!!! Like I said before, TOTAL newbie!) any advice on helping them to recover? Or should I just go buy some new plants?

You have a long season so I'd buy a least a few new plants. Determinates are never pruned and doing so costs you much of the plants production. Also it is only an option for indeterminates. It is not nor has it ever been a "must".

Tell your family members that millions of tomato plants are grown every year with no "suckers" removed for very good reasons and they are the primary source of the plant's fruit. :)

Dave