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MIKE PIAZZA APPRECIATION PAGE
In 1998 the Mets were struggling to win and were especially short on short on team leaders, power hitting, and a visible
star. They got all of these things when in mid season, then GM Steve Phillips engineered a trade with the Florida Marlins
that brought All Star catcher Mike Piazza to the Mets!
The Mets have had some great catchers over the years: Jerry Grote, John Stearns, Gary Carter, Todd Hundley. Like
Carter, Piazza was a true power force to be reckoned with. He has led with his bat being a clutch performer
especially in 1999 and 2000 when the Mets were in teh playoffs and world series. His actual catching has
been in decline for some time. Baserunners steal freely on Piazza, but he is still the general on the field and
a fine handler of pitchers.
PIAZZA HITS IT!!
ALL TIME HOMERUN LEADER FOR CATCHERS
| GREAT CATCHERS HONOR PIAZZA HOME RUN RECORD |
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| L-R Gary Carter, Johnny Bench, Carlton Fisk, Mike PIazza, Yogi Berra, Ivan Rodriguez |
On May 5th, Mike Piazza passed Carlton Fisk record for
most home runs by a catcher. He is now the all time leader for homeruns by a catcher with 376 homeruns!
Joining Mike to celebrate his achievement were some of the biggest hitting catchers past and present: Gary Carter, Johnny
Bench, Carlton Fisk, Yogi Berra and Ivan Rodriguez. Congrats Mike!
At the end of the 2005 season, the fans at Shea stadium said goodbye to Mike. It was a very emotional night for
Mike and for the Mets. He had a great run in New York and even though he is not retiring as a Met, he will certainly
be a Met when it comes time to enshrine him in Cooperstown.
Mike signed with the San Diego Padres in 2006 and had a very productive season hitting 22 homers including 2 of them
during his return series at Shea Stadium!
In 2007, Mike will be putting away his catching equipment and working primarily as a designated hitter for the Oakland
A's.
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