Mike Piazza
From SoSH
| Born: | September 4, 1968 |
| Birthplace: | Norristown, Pennsylvania |
| Height: | 6' 3" |
| Weight: | 197 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1988: 62nd Round, by the Los Angeles Dodgers |
| College: | None |
| High School: | |
| Teams: | Los Angeles Dodgers 1992-1998 Florida Marlins 1998 New York Mets 1999-2005 San Diego Padres 2006 Oakland A's 2007 |
Mike Piazza is one of the greatest hitting catchers of the modern era. And totally not gay.
Contents |
Early Career
Mike was drafted in the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft. He was the last Los Angeles Dodgers player drafted in 1988 and over 1,000 players were selected before him. Seen as Tommy Lasorda's "boy" (Mike was Tommy's godson's brother) Mike had a difficult time in the minors. Originally drafted as a 1b, he converted to catcher and learned as he went. He almost quit after contracting mono (the kissing disease) and losing his job as the Vero Beach catcher. Mike also did something quite unusual for non-Latinos at the time--he played for the Dodgers' Dominican Academy. Mike also played winter ball at the Mexcali to improve as a catcher.
Eventually, Mike worked his way up the Dodgers' system and was a late call-up in 1992. He appeared in 21 games in September of 1992.
From 62nd Rounder to Franchise Player
1993 was Mike's coming out party as a baseball player. Playing almost every day at catcher, Mike won the National League Rookie of the Year in a runaway, was a National League All-Star and a Silver Slugger. Piazza repeated this feat for the next 5 years. He finished 2nd in the National League MVP voting twice, losing by sizable margins to Ken Caminiti in 1996 and Larry Walker in 1997. The Dodgers recorded two playoff berths while Mike played in LA, but failed to win even one game.
Trading Places
Although Piazza wanted to remain with the Dodgers, he was also seeking a substantial contract for his services. 1998 was his free agency year, and he was outspoken about his desire for a new contract. News Corp., which had purchased the Dodgers, orchestrated the trade to the Marlins so that the Marlins could free up salary and set up a Florida RSN. The Marlins then flipped Piazza to the New York Mets to dump salary.
The Italian in Flushing
Although Piazza started slow with his partial season with the Mets, prompting much consternation at the Zoo, he quickly resumed his All-Star form. Piazza played in the next 4 All-Star games, won the Silver Slugger 4 times in a row and, most importantly, led the Mets to two playoff appearances. But for an injury in 2003, Piazza would have been named to 13 National League All-Star games in a row. Piazza also got paid; $91 million over 6 years by the Mets.
The Subway Series
Piazza was involved in one of the strangest events in recent World Series history. Playing against the New York Yankees in the 2000 World Series, the two teams had no love lost for each other. In particular, Roger Clemens beaned Piazza in the head when the two teams played in interleague play in July. In the first inning of game 2, Piazza fouled a pitch, and his bat broke, sending a barrel shard toward Clemens. As Piazza, ran toward first, with part of the bat still in his hand, Clemens threw the broken bat at Piazza, missing Mike by a couple feet. The two confronted each other, and the benches cleared without a major altercation. Clemens apologized and was quoted as saying "I came back into the dugout and I said I've got to get control of my emotions and calm down." Clemens pitched a gem, and the Yankees went on to win the World Series.
Piazza's decline and Return West
Piazza, though still an excellent hitting catcher, declined rapidly after the 2003 season. His defensive skills deteriorated and runners increasingly tested his arm on the basepaths. Though he was an All-Star in 2004 and 2005, the New York Mets did not retain him at the end of the 2005 season. He signed with the San Diego Padres as a catcher, and had a great hitting and poor fielding season. No longer able to play everyday at catcher, Piazza signed with the Oakland Athletics as a free agent and DH for the 2007 season. A mid-season injury ended his 2007 campaign early. Although Piazza tried to sign with a major league team during the 2007 offseason, he found no takers and subsequently announced his retirement on May 20, 2008.
Piazza's Legacy
Mike Piazza is certainly a first-ballot Hall of Fame player and stands as probably the best offensive catcher of the modern era. His 427 home runs are a record for a catcher. Piazza will likely enter the Hall of Fame as a Met, as 7 of his 12 All-Star nods were in Queens, he led the Mets to their first World Series appearance since 1986 and hit the dramatic 9th-inning home run in the first game in New York after 9-11. Piazza will also be known as being part of one of the more lopsided trades in baseball history and a fine Italian heterosexual.
Trivia
- Was personally lauded for his hitting skills by Ted Williams as a teenager.
- Married to former Baywatch actress Alicia Rickter
- Managed the Italian team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic
Awards and Accomplishments
- 12-time National League All-Star (1993-2002, 2004-05)
- 10-time Silver Slugger at Catcher (1993-2002)
- 1993 National League Rookie of the Year
- 1996 All-Star MVP
Transactions
June 1, 1988: Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft. Player signed July 11, 1988.
May 14, 1998: Traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Todd Zeile to the Florida Marlins for Manuel Barrios, Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich, Charles Johnson, and Gary Sheffield.
May 22, 1998: Traded by the Florida Marlins to the New York Mets for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall, and Geoff Goetz (minors).
October 28, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
February 3, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the San Diego Padres.
October 30, 2006: Granted Free Agency.
December 8, 2006: Signed as a Free Agent with the Oakland Athletics.
October 30, 2007: Granted Free Agency.
