Mike Piazza Retires

No option for Marlins cap!?!?!?!????

Fisk was still a better catcher and PED free.

"Dodgers or Mets cap?"

That's gotta be the closest I've seen that question for any player. 5 entire seasons in LA: All-Star, Silver Slugger, and on the MVP ballot each of the 5 years, plus his ROY. 7 entire seasons with the Mets: 6 All-Stars, 4 Silver Sluggers, MVP votes the first 3 seasons (excluding the year he was traded (spent mostly in NY), in which he also received MVP votes, the Silver Slugger, and an All-Star appearance).

2 more years with the Mets than the Dodgers, but they were on the downside of his career. I'd have to lean Dodgers just because they drafted & developed him, that's where he won his ROY, and that's where he "became" Mike Piazza. It's incredibly close, though.

Doesn't it usually go with the team the player spent the most time with? If that's the case, it's a Mets cap.

Also, he obtained most of his popularity... and most of his awards... while playing for the Mets. So, I'd say Mets cap.

Watching him play at Shea stadium the year he was with the Padres, and the way that event was treated I would have to lean towards the Mets. Also it is a little early to be putting Mauer out there as a comparable hitter to Piazza. Piazza's numbers were crazy back when he was in his prime.

He should wear a Dodgers cap. He is a DODGER. Like the above poster said. He became Mike Piazza as a Dodger. He was drafted by Lasorda as a favor...so for no other reason than to return the favor to the man who drafted him, he should wear DODGER BLUE into The HOF.

As a Giants fan it was always a little frightening to see Mike come to bat. He is one of the good guys to play the game and I actually enjoyed watching hime play, I feel that he should absolutley go in as a Dodger.

Listening to Mike's comments today, I think he wants to go in as a Met (HOLLAAAA):

I’d like to thank Fred Wilpon, Nelson Doubleday and the New York Mets organization for giving me an opportunity to fulfill yet another dream, playing in a World Series. Steve Phillips, for not just bringing me to New York, but for having the confidence and vision to keep me in a Met uniform long-term. Within the eight years I spent in New York, I was able to take a different look at the game of baseball…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. That knowledge is what helped me play for as long as I have and enjoy the career that I had. I’d like to thank New York Mets clubhouse manager, Charlie Samuels for always being on the same page and one step ahead of me.

Last but certainly not least, I can’t say goodbye without thanking the fans. 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.

The song "Piazza, New York Catcher" by Belle and Sebastian speaks for itself.

This is sad because he clearly has a few good years left in him as a DH. He was injured most of last season in Oakland, so to assume he's washed up is ridiculous. In my opinion, 2008 is the most historic season in baseball history in terms of the free-agent market. Teams have done everything they could to distance themselves from Piazza, Bonds, Lofton and Sosa. At least Piazza can say he's had a hall of fame career just like the other three.

Also, Omega, the idea that Piazza was some awful catcher is just not true at all. Granted, he couldnt throw a lick, nobody will argue that, but he could call a good game and blocked everything behind the plate. And whether he was a catcher by position or skill, what difference does that make? He still caught for all those years and took the wear and tear the same way as all the other catchers. So what is your point?

Are you really such a moron to say Joe Mauer is better then Mike Piazza, and crown him now? Even if Joe Mauer continues on his career averages for the next 10 years, he wont be in Piazza's league as a hitter. Sure, the OBP and AVG will be alomost identical only Piazza will have about 250 more homeruns and a slugging percentage nearly 100 points higher. Good work.

Tim I was just going to post that. How can you compare Jim Rice to Mike Piazza, when Mike Piazza's batting numbers are superior in every way possible. And Piazza spent his whole career taking a beating behind the plate. If he was a LF his whole career, then perhaps you have a point, but if he was a LF his whole career, he probably have about 75-100 more homeruns. That is like me coming here saying Greg Maddux wont get in the first time, if at all.

"I also believe a catcher in Minnesota, if he keeps his pace, would be regarded as a better hitting catcher."

When Joe Mauer hits .368 and 40 HR in a season, perhaps you can start thinking that. It isn't going to happen.

Piazza is a FBHOF and should go in as a Dodger. He had his best years as a Dodger and was made a catcher by them in the first place.

im going to want an apology in five years tim...

Equal opportunity hater of both the Mets and Dodgers. That said, Piazza is a first ballot HOF - no questions asked.

To compare Mauer, Martinez, Russell, etc to Piazza is crazy. Let's see (1) if those guys are behind the plate at age 32 (2) if they can increase their current offensive production and (3) remain an impact player for another 3 to 5 years beyond that.

Piazza was a top hitter in the game for ten years. Forget about being a top catcher. He was an entirely new category for his position. He redefined the position and the results are clear. There is a new breed of offensively minded catchers coming through various organizations today. Twenty years ago many of these guys would have been slotted to 1B or the OF. Because of Piazza they are now making money behind the dish.

Piazza is to catchers what A-Rod was to SS's.

"nrmax88, Just let those biased homer colors fly so the world knows that you can not judge a player objectively. Bottom Line: Good Hitter, Bad Catcher. To be clear, homeruns alone don't make him a great offensive catcher. If that were the case, Dave Kingman would be in the hall of fame. Mauer will be better."

1) Piazza never played for my team, so I'm not a homer. Piazza is a 1st ballot HOF'er.

2) He's the best hitter at his position, something that counts for anyone but pitchers.

3) The Dave Kingman comparison is laughable. Piazza wasn't an out machine.

Piazza played the most physically taxing position on the field, and apparently did it well enough to be employed, sought-after, and appreciated with several awards. Mauer might be a good hitter, but until he hits 36 homers a year and/or posts a .900 career OPS, don't hold your breath.

well, do we forget to take into consideration that Piazza was never really happy in Seattle? as i remember, he was not a huge fan of playing anywhere but New York so i think he will wear a Mets cap

actually baseballfan5, i made those comments on biggio. 3000 hits is instant hall of fame, the stats your talking about are barely going to even come up. the fact of the matter is, its rarer and harder to get 3060 hits, its a bigger achievement, piazza wasnt even close to 3000, matter of fact, he wasnt even close to 2500. and with biggio you dont have to ask the stupid unimportant question everyone keeps fighting about, "what cap does he go in with"

The way I see it, Piazza goes in as a Met. He had more homeruns, RBIs, doubles, hits, games (200+ more), at-bats, and total bases with the Mets, sure he had good years with the dodgers.. but he goes in on the firt ballot as a Met.

Mets: 220 HRS, 655 RBIs, 193 doubles, 2 triples, 7 SB, 1028 Hits, 972 Games, 3478 AB, 424 BB, 1885 TB (.296 AVG/.542 SLG/.373 OBP) [7x All-Star, 5x Silver Slugger]

Dodgers: 177 HRs, 563 RBIs, 115 doubles, 3 triples, 10 SB, 896 Hits, 726 Games, 2702 AB, 283 BB, 1548 TB (.331 AVG/.572 SLG/.394 OBP) [5x All-Star, 5x Silver Slugger]

ok so lets say piazza plays 1st base his whole career.. lets add about 750-1000 more plate appearances easy. im assuming he most def get 500 homers. maybe 2600-2700 hits. yeah i think hes a first ballothof

"Mauer will be better."

Like I said, even if Mauer continues on his current pace for 10 years, he wont even approach the dominance of Mike Piazza. You are the one who is dreaming.

"well, do we forget to take into consideration that Piazza was never really happy in Seattle?"

Huh????

04forever, I dont get you, sometimes you come on here and post smart, and thoughtout posts, but othertimes, like now, you post completely uninformed garbage. If he played 1st, he would have had much bigger offensive statistics. He didnt, and still dominated the game as a catcher. You can't just look at his numbers and say the only reason he is in the discussion is because he is a catcher, because, well, yeah, no sh~t. He put up monster numbers playing the most grinding position in sports. Carlton Fisk and Johnny Bench were great players, but neither guy is even close to Piazza's level offensively. There is no doubt about the fact that he is hands down the greatest offensive catcher in the history of the sport. If Mike Piazza isn't a hall of famer, then no catcher who ever played baseball before is.

"what he got is what he got"

Yes, and what "he got" is much better statistics then any other player at his position, ever.

"and with biggio you dont have to ask the stupid unimportant question everyone keeps fighting about, "what cap does he go in with"""

Good post, this is a great reason why Piazza isn't a hall of famer and why Biggio will get more votes.

If piazza was a 1st basemen, he still would have made it. Dawson and Rice aren't viable comparisons. 142 ops+(ops adjusted to the league that year) is a lot more impressive than 128 and 111. You can't say anything about the 'era', because in relation to the league, piazza was still that much better than dawson and rice were to the rest of their league.

"Good post, this is a great reason why Piazza isn't a hall of famer and why Biggio will get more votes."

people just look so ridiculous fighting about that, its annoying to me, like thats all they care about, what hats on his head, like they can like the fact he gets in if hes wearing another hat. it was more of a mockery then it was a reason why biggio should be in over piazza

so tony gwynn and cal ripken shouldnt even have made first ballot either, their ops were not as high as piazzas, hell they really werent even close. maybe becuase they played for one team there whole career and and were better all around ball players AND both hit 3000?

"Craig Biggio
Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Sammy Sosa
David Wells
Kenny Lofton

those are just the year one guys,"

Thats assuming Bonds, Clemens, Sosa, Wells and Lofton all retire this year. My guess is at least one of the 5 will be back

well who do you think would come back from that list? sosa is done, he cant do it anymore. clemens and bonds are knee deep in poop right now. wells lost alot of his command, so i assume you mean lofton?

read this, people cast votes for alot stupider reasons then stats and what ive been talking about

http://vegaswatch.net/2007/12/worst-hall-of-fame-arguments-of-2008.html

people dont pick the people for the right reasons like you think, why do you think they get 10 votes?

Mike had a good career and was a good player. With his total, he could go down as the best power hitting catcher of all-time. I don't know if he will receive that acknowledgement, but with his career numbers that argument could be made. At the same time, it is disappointed b/c Piazza was an impact bat and player for years, but once his skills started to diminish and a couple injuries get him, his career was pretty much shelved. He still had a very successful career and should be a hall of famer.

Steroids.

"HOF, yes, but not FB. You are dreaming. If he were not a catcher, we wouldn't even have this conversation. In terms of best all around catcher, he is not even the best of his era."

We would absolutely be having this conversation. If Piazza hadn't had mandated days off along with the wear and tear of playing the position, he may well have beaten Gwynn and Walker for a couple batting titles, as well as ending up close to 500/3000.

"Sandberg was teh best offensive 2B, but not a FBHOF. "

Well, whether or not he was the best offensive 2B is questionable. Morgan's numbers are competitive, and better in most cases.

Adding to that, Sandberg was robbed of FB status, so it isn't really a question.

"And that is part of the game, no doubt politics would play a part in him not being a FBHOF.User or not, he also is from the steriod era. His offensive numbers, whether just or not, will raise suspicion."

Piazza was one of the first to be accused after Caminiti's early revelation. He was very quick to deny it, as well as volunteering for tests if anyone wanted to try him. There has never even been a whiff of steroid use around him since.

Further, steroids don't make someone hit .368

there is no way piazza could have taken steroids. steroids weaken your bones and this, for a catcher, would be devestating to your career. he would not have been able to play 16+ years, have a lifetime average over .300, and hit more homeruns than any other catcher with weakend bones