Piazza Retires

[soupcan]

Valadius wrote: I'll never forget when I heard that Mike Piazza had been traded to the Mets. I was playing in Little League

I was in the Grille Room at Shea having a beer.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I think it was the first big Mets transaction that I learned about on the Internet.

[Willets Point]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: 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 he was GAY!

[soupcan]

="Willets Point"]And he was GAY!

That wouldn't be an issue - they'd just put his number on the right field wall.

[soupcan]

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

Oh, snap.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Just making sure the boy has his priorities in order.

[Guest AG/DC]

Nintendo 64 briefly considered Jerry Koosman's Strike Zone.

[Valadius]

You know how close I was to being able to experience a Mets World Championship? About four months. I was born in February 1987. My number one goal in life, besides my own personal goals, is to be able to witness a Mets championship.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I doubt you would have gotten much excitement out of the 1986 Championship if you had been born four months earlier.

When I think of how many Cubs and Red Sox and White Sox fans went from cradle to grave without seeing their team win a World Series, I'm very grateful that I have 1986 in my back pocket. (I was alive in 1969, and aware that the Mets had won a World Series, but it didn't mean anything to me. I knew it made my grandfather happy, though, and that thought is what led me to start caring about the Mets about a year and a half later.)

[batmagadanleadoff]

It might be Piazza v. Clemens all over again five years from now. If Clemens never pitches again, they'll both make their HOF ballot debuts together on the same ballot for the Summer of 2013 induction ceremony. Interesting stuff.

[Guest sharpie]

Sammy Sosa and Barry Bonds might be on the same ballot as Clemens and Piazza. Interesting year, 2012.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Julio Franco. And Alberto Castillo.

[G-Fafif]

Valadius wrote: 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.

I'm with the kid even if I'm presumably twice his age. Piazza defined one of the three wonderful eras of Mets baseball, strode it like a Colossus. I grew up with Tom Seaver as my baseball hero but when it comes to this team, the only generation I'm part of is Generation Met, and for my demographic money, Piazza is no less than the third-most important player this franchise has ever had. If you want to split the mid-'80s vote several ways, then only Seaver definitively outweighs his impact (though I'd still put Mex a bit ahead in the scheme of things).

I can't look at 31 on anybody else's front or back. I can't see the point of mothballing it and leaving it in limbo. Mike Piazza packed a career's worth of thrills into an eight-year stay, even if only five, at the outside, were prime. But what prime they were.

Let's give ourselves a treat. Let's nudge the pantheon open a wee bit more. Let's give Tom some company. 41, shake hands with 17 and then the two of you high-five 31 before Citi Field gathers rust. We will be no cheaper for it. I swear on a stack of ten-run innings, we'll only be enriched.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I don't see it. I really don't.

I'd give 31 to the next journeyman reliever, and never have a single regret.

[Batty31]

I'm with G-Fafif and Valadius. I can't see anyone else wearing the number, and I've been a fan since 73.

[Gwreck]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I don't see it. I really don't. I'd give 31 to the next journeyman reliever, and never have a single regret.

Sacrilege.

That being said, I would have no problem whatsoever putting 24 or 8 on somebody's back. Makes no sense those 2 have been mothballed for so long.

[nymr83]

]�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.�

and people say the boobirds turn off players, pfft!

[Centerfield]

It's certainly clear that Piazza thinks of himself as a Met.

If it were up to me, he'd go in as a Met and his number would be retired.

[Centerfield]

Oh, and when they have his day, make sure it's a beautiful afternoon game on a Saturday or Sunday.

Don't use it as a way to sell tickets to a Wednesday night game against the Pirates.

[G-Fafif]

Centerfield wrote: Don't use it as a way to sell tickets to a Wednesday night game against the Pirates.

Lordy, let's hope we're not in that position again for many, many years to come. (And even if we are, amen brother.)

[Guest Rockin' Doc]

I think that a Hall of Fame worthy player that spent the majority of their time in a Mets uniform should be given serious consideration to having their number retired by the Mets. The only thing Piazza failed to do for the Mets was lead them to a World Series Championship. There wasn't much more he could have done for the franchise when you look at his place in the Mets list of All Time Leaders.

1st - SLG
2nd - HR, RBI, Games caught
3rd - OPS, TB
4th - AVG, Doubles
5th - OBP

Not that I want the Mets to start retiring player numbers in droves, but I think it says something that a team with a 46+ years of history has only had one player that they deem worthy of having their number retired. If I was to retire the number of any player that has worn the Mets uniform, it would be #31 for Mike Piazza.

[nymr83]

]If I was to retire the number of any player that has worn the Mets uniform, it would be #31 for Mike Piazza.

I assume you mean besides the one that is already retired?

Heres an interesting question for you all: regardless of your position on whose number should be retired, how would you rank the posibilities from 1 to 10? I'd probably say Hernandez, Piazza, Gooden, Carter, Koosman, Strawberry, Franco, H.Johnson, B.Jones, Kranepool

[Theoldmole]

No Harrelson?

[metirish]

Maz on the pre-game was asked what he will remember Piazza for , Maz said he will remembe him as " the best and most feared hitter the Mets have ever had , yeah I said ever"....Yallof being the eegit he is played it for laughs and asked..." huh huh better than you Maz"....

[nymr83]

Daryl Strawberry was a better hitter for the Mets than Piazza. perhaps Piazza was more valuable as a catcher, but Strawberry's raw offensive numbers are flat out better.

[Benjamin Grimm]

B. Jones?

You're taking the piss, right?

[seawolf17]

I think we need a little more perspective before we retire his number, that's all. It's great to be emotional, and I love Mike Piazza like few other Mets I've watched. But will his legacy stand the test of time? Maybe. Look back in five or ten years... and if it does, then you retire it.

[Willets Point]

I could see 31 being jointly retired for Piazza and Franco. I don't think it would violate the Mets standards to honor two beloved sons that way.

[seawolf17]

Willets Point wrote: I could see 31 being jointly retired for Piazza and Franco. I don't think it would violate the Mets standards to honor two beloved sons that way.

I actually think that would be neat.

[stevejrogers]

Willets Point wrote: I could see 31 being jointly retired for Piazza and Franco. I don't think it would violate the Mets standards to honor two beloved sons that way.

I'm not so sure Franco qualifies as a beloved son though.

Franco has a lot of Carter in him, but in this case the hype and legend is much greater than the actuality.