The big question-surrounding Piazza was which team hat he would wear on his Hall of Fame plaque. Piazza finally got the call to join baseball’s elite’s in the Hall of Fame after a four-year wait – receiving 83% of the vote.
Piazza’s wife, Alicia, attended the event along with Mets owner Jeff Wilpon, GM Sandy Alderson and John Ricco.
Here are some of Mike Piazza’s career highlights and awards:
– 427 Homeruns (396 as catcher)
– .308 Lifetime Batting Average
– Led NL in putouts and assists twice
– 10 silver slugger awards
– NL Rookie of the Year (1993)
When finally allowed to address the crowd, here are some of the quotes from the press conference:
“I enjoyed coming up with the Dodgers and had an amazing career there as far as getting to know Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale and the Hall of Famers.
…“But, fortunately for me, I eventually ended up in New York. Some way, shape or form I became a New York Met, and truly have a special relationship here with the fans of the Mets.”
…”It’s tough. For me, as much as I enjoyed my time there [in Los Angeles], I ended up in New York. And I feel like the fans here truly brought me into their family. Every time I’ve come back I’ve been so incredibly honored from the response. Unfortunately we do have to choose one. And, for me, I always sort of enjoyed reconnecting here in New York.”
The official HOF Induction Ceremony is in Cooperstown this coming July. Mets fans everywhere, I’m sure, will be out in full support of their guy.
Hopefully the next step in this will be Mike Piazza’s #31 being retired by the New York Mets.
