One of my favorite Mets of all time calls it a career

[Taylorized56]

The greatest hitting catcher of all-time. I liked him before he came to New York so I was obviously ecstatic when we got him. Props to him on a great career. :worshippy:

 

Mike Piazza decides to retire after 16 seasons

 

1 hour ago

 

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP) — Mike Piazza is retiring from baseball following a 16-season career in which he became one of the top-hitting catchers in history.

 

"After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life," he said in a statement released Tuesday by his agent, Dan Lozano. "It has been an amazing journey ... So today, I walk away with no regrets.

 

"I knew this day was coming and over the last two years. I started to make my peace with it. I gave it my all and left everything on the field."

 

The 39-year-old Piazza batted .275 with eight homers and 44 RBIs as a designated hitter for Oakland last season, became a free agent and did not re-sign. He was not available to discuss his decision, according to Josh Goldberg, a spokesman for Lozano.

 

Taken by the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft, Piazza became a 12-time All-Star, making the NL team 10 consecutive times starting in 1993.

 

He finished with a .308 career average, 427 home runs and 1,335 RBIs for the Dodgers (1992-98), Florida (1998), New York Mets (1998-05), San Diego (2006) and Oakland (2007).

 

His 396 homers are easily the most as a catcher, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Carlton Fisk is second with 351, followed by Johnny Bench (327) and Yogi Berra (306).

 

Piazza thanked his family, teams and managers, some of his teammates — and even owners, general managers, minor league staffs and reporters.

 

"Within the eight years I spent in New York, I was able to take a different look at the game of baseball," Piazza said. "I wasn't just a young kid that was wet behind the ears anymore — I was learning from other veteran guys like Johnny Franco, who taught me how to deal with the pressures of playing in New York, and Al Leiter, who knew what it took to win a world championship."

 

He did not bring up two of the more memorable moments in his career: When the Yankees' Roger Clemens beaned him on July 8, 2000, and when Clemens threw the broken barrel of Piazza's bat in his direction in Game 2 of the World Series that October. Clemens denied intent both times.

 

"Last but certainly not least, I can't say goodbye without thanking the fans," Piazza said. "I can't recall a time in my career where I didn't feel embraced by all of you. Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and Miami — whether it was at home or on the road, you were all so supportive over the years.

 

"But I have to say that my time with the Mets wouldn't have been the same without the greatest fans in the world. One of the hardest moments of my career, was walking off the field at Shea Stadium and saying goodbye. My relationship with you made my time in New York the happiest of my career and for that, I will always be grateful."

 

Class act

 

 

 

[RandolphScott]

Fuck anyone who says Piazza was overrated or that they never liked him.

 

Seriously, this was the guy who pitchers NEVER EVER wanted to face...May 22nd, 1998

is the day the Mets actually gained respect when they acquired him in that lopsided trade.

 

He immediately brought respectability to this ball club and for a while he was pretty much

the only good hitter in the lineup. (You could argue Ventura, but he had one good year)

 

We all knew his inability to throw runners out, but you could never out work, out hustle Mike

Piazza. Then during his latter years with the Mets, they treated him like garbage...between

the organization trying him at first base (but don't tell him) and the whole fiasco if he was gay or not.

 

It's still laughable that a player had to call a press conference to do this. As far as we know Derek Jeter still isn't married, but no press conferences for him because he trots around town seeking media attention like the media whore he is.

 

[fringe]

he's not overrated but he is gay. and it was his decision- not a wise one- to hold a press conference

[RandolphScott]

he's not overrated but he is gay. and it was his decision- not a wise one- to hold a press conference

 

 

Right and his wife and child would disagree, but what the fuck do I know.

[fringe]

you brought up the topic. it's not about what you know or don't know.

[RandolphScott]

you brought up the topic. it's not about what you know or don't know.

 

 

Obviously, I try to throw out insinuations without knowing all of the facts.

[fringe]

Obviously, I try to throw out insinuations without knowing all of the facts.

[xxi-xxv]

Wish him the best. If I am the Wilpons I call him IMMEDIATELY and ask him how he feels about becoming a coach/manager? Some the best in baseball are ex catchers(Torre, Bochy) and I think Mike would make a great manager and would never be paranoid like say oh Willie Randolph. Obviously this would all be predicated on his desire to stay in the game, but when you consider what a hard worker he was as a player(learned how to catch in the minors)one wold have to assume he would take that hard work into any job he held.

 

Best wishes Mike, you are forever missed and next to Seaver its you.