Which Hall of Fame Hat...Series 1 - Mike Piazza

[Mets]

Figured I'd start off a series for players who will be hall of fame candidates in the next couple of years, but in the age of budgets constraints and free agency, have put up great numbers with multiple teams.

Our first subject: Mike Piazza

Los Angeles Dodgers (1992-1998)
Florida Marlins (1998)
New York Mets (1998-2005)
San Diego Padres (2006)
Oakland Athletics (2007)
Dodgers fans say Dodgers...Mets fans say Mets...Mike hasn't been very vocal, but implied h

the basic #'s...

With the Dodgers:
(parts of 7 years)
.331/417/
177 HR
563 RBI
3268 AB's
ROY Award

With the Mets:
(Parts of 8 years)
296/373/915
220 HR
655 RBI
3478 AB's
2 Deep postseason runs, including 1 WS appearance


Much like Tom Seaver a generation ago, Piazza became ìThe Franchiseî and even more than the numbers, his name will be synonymous with the Amazins for years to come.

ìThatís the ultimate honor for me,î Piazza reflected the other day. ìIt goes beyond numbers; it is the identification that is the biggest honor. People identify me with the Mets and not specific numbers. Everything else is secondary.î

[Astros]

I say the Dodgers just because, when I think of Piazza, that's where I think of him at. I know he played longer with the Mets and had more exposure there, but in the end, with the Mets years I just think of Chipper Jones torching them down the stretch every season

[Royals]

Ditto, in my mind, I still remember Piazza in Dodger blue.

[Mets]

I'd have to say that I don't understand not voting him in at all....The guy is the best offensive catcher in the history of the game, and has played at pitchers parks his whole career.

If he played in Texas, Chicago, etc...he'd surely be over 500 HR's easily...which for a catcher, is amazing.


One thing that I think get forgotten is the impact that Mike Piazza had on a pitching staff.

When Al Leiter is your ace and Rick Reed is your #2, and you still go far into the postseason, credit has to be given to the catcher and coaches for the game plan called against the opposing team. The Mets didn't outslug anyone with Benny Agbayani, Derek Bell & Jay Payton patroling the OF over the years.

[Yankees]

I think Piazza's actual defense is usually what's in question. I thought his game-calling and pitcher management was usually thought of pretty highly in most circles - I could be way off though.

Agreed that I have a tough time with the argument that he's not HOF worthy - he's an absolute shoo-in, and the most dominant offensive catcher ever. Not catcher has ever had more of an impact with his bat then Mike.

[Giants]

I think that a guy should go in with the cap of the team where he made the Leap, and Mike Piazza certainly made his leap to elite status with the Dodgers.

[Pirates]

Does the player or the hall choose now, I know the player used to but then there was that whole debacle with wade boggs trying to go in with the devil rays.

[Royals]

The Hall chooses with input from the player.