Piazza Retires

[Guest AG/DC]

So says Howie.

[metirish]

Thanks for the great times Mike.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Gary Cohen confirms.

[Guest AG/DC]

"After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it is time to start a new chapter in my life," he said in a statement released by his agent, Dan Lozano. "It has been an amazing journey."

[Benjamin Grimm]

He should have signed a ceremonial contract with the Mets.

That would have been nice.

Now the talk will heat up again about caps on Cooperstown plaques and retired numbers.

As for the cap, Keith says Mets, Gary and Ron say Dodgers.

[metirish]

A good case can be made for both I suppose , best year was his last as a Dodger.

[Guest AG/DC]

Two ways of avoiding the controversy I can get on board with:

• Put him in an insignia-free catcher's helmet (I failed to sell this idea for Gary Carter)



• Put him in an NYPD hat

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think it will be the Mets. More years, more games, only World Series appearance.

[Willets Point]

More important: Schedule Mike Piazza Day at Shea NOW!!!!

Sure they could do it at Citifield, but I think it should be done in the ballpark Piazza played in.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I agree.

As long as they don't retire his number.

[Fman99]

Thanks for the memories, Mike. You were THE MAN.

[Guest AG/DC]

Palabra a su mamacita.

[Willets Point]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I agree. As long as they don't retire his number.

Should be a shoe-in for the Mets HOF though.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Definitely.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

"There's a ----ing shocker."
--Billy Wagner

[Guest mario25]

Guy hit some serious bombs too..He was a great Met during his time here and an amazing hitter...

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

Used an awful lot of steroids, don't you think?

[Benjamin Grimm]

Didn't you hear? He was "vindicated."

[metirish]

It's probably purely coincidental but I just saw Sam Champion doing the weather on channel 7 and he didn't sound best pleased , now it could be the shitty weather but you never know.

[Valadius]

]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 is 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 became a free agent after last season 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.�

He's going in as a Met. Case closed. And retire his damn number.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I really don't think he warrants a retired number.

But I do think he should have an NY on his cap.

[soupcan]

For the Red Sox to retire a number the player has to be a Hall of Famer and has to have spent at least 10 years with the team.

That's the way to do it.

[metirish]

Hardly surprising that a class act like Piazza thanked all.

] Here's the full text of his statement, released through his agent Dan Lozano: After 19 wonderful years, I have come to the decision to officially retire from Major League Baseball. At this point in my career and after discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it is time to start a new chapter in my life. It has been an amazing journey and everything I have, I owe to God, for without His help, none of this would be possible. He blessed me with the ability to play the greatest game in the world and it has been a dream come true. In June of this year, it will be 20 years ago when the Los Angeles Dodgers organization selected me in the 62nd round of the amateur draft and I'm sure neither of us saw this coming. I would like to start off by thanking Peter O'Malley and the Dodger organization for giving me the opportunity 20 years ago...you gave me birth to a life that never in my wildest dreams did I think was possible. 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. Kevin Towers and Mr. Wolff are two gentlemen that I wish to thank for allowing me to keep the sun from setting just a little while longer. To all of my teammates with whom I shared the field of battle, thanks for the countless memories. To the managers along the way that brought out the best in me - Tommy Lasorda, Bobby Valentine, Art Howe...and in limited time together, Jim Leyland, Willie Randolph, Bruce Bochy and Bob Geren - it was a pleasure playing for all of you. I'd also like to thank all of the major and minor league staffs that played a part in the development of my career - I couldn't have done it without all of you. To the media - I thank you for the overall fairness of your reporting throughout my career, although erroneous at times, I think we had a pretty good relationship over the years and some of you I'll never forget. I'd like to thank my agent, Dan Lozano and everyone else behind the scenes at the Beverly Hills Sports Council for taking care of me my entire career. Danny is like a brother to me and without his guidance and patience, I wouldn't be where I am today. To my family who I love so much...mom and dad, you always believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself...you were always there with love and support. To my brothers, for always being in my corner, no matter what. Being able to share the joys of being a big leaguer with you guys over all of these years made my career, our career...and I don't think it would have been the same any other way. My beautiful wife Alicia. These last few years were as new for you as they were for me. Through the different cities and the birth of our amazing daughter, Nicoletta, I am eternally grateful to have you by my side. The thought of what the future has in store for us, brings a smile to my face because I can't wait to start the newest chapter of both our lives, together. You truly are an angel and I am blessed to have you as my wife. I love you. 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. 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. For 19 years, I gave it my all and left everything on the field. God bless and thanks for a wonderful ride.

[Benjamin Grimm]

="soupcan"]For the Red Sox to retire a number the player has to be a Hall of Famer and has to have spent at least 10 years with the team. That's the way to do it.

Yeah. I like that policy.

[seawolf17]

No on the retired number, yes on the interlocking NY in bronze in Cooperstown.

And yes on Piazza Day this summer.

Too bad he couldn't catch on with anyone.

[HahnSolo]

="Benjamin Grimm"] ="soupcan"]For the Red Sox to retire a number the player has to be a Hall of Famer and has to have spent at least 10 years with the team. That's the way to do it. Yeah. I like that policy.

Of course in the free agency era, that's somewhat restricting. That would mean there is no chance at all for Pedro Martinez to have his number retired by them.

[Valadius]

I'll never forget when I heard that Mike Piazza had been traded to the Mets. I was playing in Little League when one of my teammates who I couldn't stand told me. I refused to believe him until I got home. Sure enough, Piazza was a Met. I remember thinking it was an awesome trade especially because I thought that nobody named Geoff Goetz could be any good. Sure enough, I was right.

Many of you grew up with Tom Seaver as your Met hero. Well, I'm the lone poster of the generation that grew up with Mike Piazza as their Met hero. He was the Mets superstar, the sure-fire All-Star pick every year and sure-fire Hall-of-Famer. Hell, he was good enough that there was a Nintendo 64 game called Mike Piazza's Strike Zone. Out of all the players in baseball, they chose Mike Piazza. He was one of the best players in the game, and the player Mets fans of my generation had a poster of in their bedroom. He will be the second player to go into the Hall of Fame as a Met, and as such, his number should be retired. You guys had Seaver. His number's retired. Let my generation have Piazza's number on the wall.

[soupcan]

HahnSolo wrote: Of course in the free agency era, that's somewhat restricting. That would mean there is no chance at all for Pedro Martinez to have his number retired by them.

So be it.

Having a policy like that emphasizes the type of honor a retired number is and should be.

Right now the Mets can say that that is their policy as well considering Seaver is the only retired player number.

Sorry Mike.

Wright and Reyes are your next possible candidates.

[Guest AG/DC]

Six years, but five of the top ten seasons by a starting pitcher in their history, I would guess.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Sorry. Seaver deserves it, Piazza doesn't.

Piazza only had about three and a half good seasons with the Mets. For half of his time with the Mets, he was in decline.

And what about the generation that had Keith Hernandez and Darryl Strawberry and Dwight Gooden posters on their bedroom walls? They're not getting to gaze at a retired number on the wall, and I think they're managing to get on with their lives.

Don't envy us our 41 on the wall, Valadius. Instead, envy us our World Championship.