Piazza signs with Dodgers.

[metirish]

Apparently Gary Bennett got injured and Piazza signed a one year deal, he'll swap places with their AAA catcher until he's ready, they think he'll be ready for May. Piazza says this is his last season and he couldn't be happier to finish his career where it all started.

I'm very happy for him, Mets visit Dodgers first week in May and they come to Shea starting May 29th.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Wow.

[Benjamin Grimm]

This may impact his Cooperstown cap!

That's good news, though. I'm glad for him.

[metirish]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: This may impact his Cooperstown cap! That's good news, though. I'm glad for him.

I think Piazza goes in as a Dodger no matter if he signed for them this season.

[Valadius]

No way. Piazza's going in as a Met, hands down.

[Frayed Knot]

He'll probably be nothing more than a PH threat off the bench plus a once-a-week (if that) catcher so long as Russell Martin's upcoming season is anything like his previous one -- but good for him.
His career would have had a sense of non-closure if he had never played again. This not only puts a nice cap on it but it gets him out of the whole Bonds, Clemens, Sosa HoF controversy by delaying his eligibility for an extra year (unless any of all of them also turn up sometime this year).

[Benjamin Grimm]

Valadius wrote: No way. Piazza's going in as a Met, hands down.

Valadius should change his name to Nostradamus. He always seems so certain of the future.

[Guest AG/DC]

Frayed Knot wrote: He'll probably be nothing more than a PH threat off the bench plus a once-a-week (if that) catcher so long as Russell Martin's upcoming season is anything like his previous one -- but good for him. His career would have had a sense of non-closure if he had never played again. This not only puts a nice cap on it but it gets him out of the whole Bonds, Clemens, Sosa HoF controversy by delaying his eligibility for an extra year (unless any of all of them also turn up sometime this year).

Two of them may turn up in orange jumpsuits.

[nymr83]

This cements his wearing a Dodger hat into Cooperstown in my mind.

[Centerfield]

Makes it tougher, but I still think he goes in as a Met. Played more games here, went to the World Series as a Met. The only thing going for LA is that he had 5 great seasons as a Dodger as opposed to 4 great seasons as a Met (and really in '98 he was a Met more than anything else so that evens out a bit). But as far as marginal/mediocre seasons go, we've got LA beat hands down.

[Guest AG/DC]

He's definitely going into the Hall of the Marginal as a Met.

[Frayed Knot]

I'm not seeing this anywhere.
What was the original source on this deal?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Yeah...

This is quite suspicious.

[Guest AG/DC]

="metirish"]Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2008 11:39 am Post subject: Piazza signs with Dodgers.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Well executed.

[Zvon]

very well executed

3rd time Ive fallen for a A-1 prank today.
Silly 'ol me.

[Guest vtmet]

so since this was an April Fool's thing...I take it that Barry Bonds didn't really sign with the Twins either, since I only saw that mentioned in one place also...

]Twins to Unveil Newest Weapon: Barry Bonds Posted at 6:00 AM on April 1, 2008 by David Zingler (3 Comments) MINNEAPOLIS - It had been in the works for weeks, but nobody knew it, other than Bill Smith, Scott Boras and Barry Bonds himself. The Twins announced the signing of the all-time homerun leader early this morning. "In the past we've been reluctant to make a move like this," GM Bill Smith explained. "But this is a new era of Twins baseball." The 43-year-old Bonds signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Twins that could pay him as much as $10 million if he reaches certain playing-time and performance based incentives. "Barry's is great shape and is excited to come to the American League," Scott Boras, Bonds' agent said at a 6 a.m. conference call. "There's no question that he's still among the premier hitters in the game." Bonds, who could start tonight against the Angels, is expected to become the Twins full time DH. "Barry is one of the best ever," manager Ron Gardenhire commented. "I can't wait to see him launch some baseballs over the baggie. It is really exciting to have him on the team." The controversial Bonds, of course, is currently under indictment and his trial could begin this summer. The Twins however, felt that it was worth the risk. "To get Barry at the price we did is perhaps the biggest bargain in baseball," Smith pointed out. "We think his presence makes us one of the top offensive clubs in the league." Expect to hear from Bonds today at a 1 p.m. press conference.

http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/baseball/archive/2008/04/twins_to_unveil.shtml?rsssource=1

[G-Fafif]

Irish, I was cursing out the Cooperstown cap equation halfway down the scroll when I realized what was or wasn't going on. Well done!

[Guest themetfairy]

My favorite April Fool's about a player, after Sidd Finch, was when the Columbia Spectator ran an article about Patrick Ewing transferring to Columbia because he wanted a core curriculum.

You have to trust me that it was very well done.

[nymr83]

alot of people tried to fool me today, but only you were successful, well played.

[DocTee]

Excellent-- the Crane Fool Forum.

[Valadius]

Indeed, this was the only time today I was fooled. Nice work.

[Guest AG/DC]

Not only did he successfully yank us all --- indeed it took three of us to finally put the pieces together --- but irish still hasn't copped to it.

[metirish]

I got inspiration from reading You Have Six Months to Bone Up over at Faith & Fear , I didn't want to do anything elaborate and in fact deleted my Piazza post twice thinking no way they will fall for it, I knew I couldn't just say Piazza signed and needed a plausible story, I think selling the Bennett injury was key .

I have a feeling a few here played along but it's all good fun so thanks.

[Guest KC]

Nice job, Happy Phil Risotto Day!

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

I had no clue.

[Guest AG/DC]

Whoosh.

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

As usual, I was clueless.

[Guest themetfairy]

I was fooled, for sure. Well done Irish!

[Fman99]

themetfairy wrote: I was fooled, for sure. Well done Irish!

Me too. That was some high-grade trickery.