Mike Piazza retires

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: techs

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
He will be first ballot. He's the greatest hitting catcher in history. Unfortunately, he couldn't catch or throw a lick. If he transitioned to First base earlier in his career, he could have had a number of more great years.

QFT. First ballot absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely.
What is wrong with people who think he won't be a first ballot inductee???

agreed. it's insane to think he wont' be first ballot

 

[Rockinacoustic]

First Ballot, and he has to go in as a Met. This current Mets team can't touch the that team at the turn of the century with Piazza, Ventura, Alfonzo, Leiter, and Hampton.

Ah the good old days of baseball

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: anxi80
well he is going up against some big names. i guess it all depends on how the voters lean towards steroids abuse by some of the other players eligible (clemens, bonds, sosa).

piazza should get in ahead of those three

well, in that case...I don't think so. Ahead of Sosa definitely (lifetime .260 or so, right?)

But Bonds is the greatest player of this generation; Clemens is in the top 5 pitchers, probably in history. The only thing holding them back, of course, is the steroids BS. That's the only reason Piazza would get in ahead of those two.

stats-wise, though, he shouldn't. And He's one of my all-time favorites, too.

 

[oogabooga]

my buddy thinks the dodgers should have signed him as a backup this year, even if they weren't going to play him. Something about it being nice finishing your career where you started. I sorta agree.

Cheers to you sir :beer: thanks for the bombs

 

[BudAshes]

Piazza was so funny on the A's last year. He comes off as the gayest man in baseball by far. He wears these ultra tight pants and is always making these really effeminate gestures and slapping dudes on the ass. He kept me entertained all year.

 

[bigrash]

Originally posted by: Rockinacoustic
First Ballot, and he has to go in as a Met. This current Mets team can't touch the that team at the turn of the century with Piazza, Ventura, Alfonzo, Leiter, and Hampton.

Ah the good old days of baseball

man I remember those days. They had a really solid team. I actually liked Bobby Valentine coaching them even though a lot of people didn't.

 

[rh71]

The thing that amazes me the most about him was that he was some ridiculously low # draft... as in very late. And was only chosen by LA because he was Lasorda's god-son or something like that. Then you take a look at his career numbers. Ridiculous.

 

[jalaram]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: waggy

Originally posted by: Marlin1975
^

I think he has a great chance at first ballot. A lot of players will not get a lot of votes due to the roid thing. he ahs been held clean, even though i think he used a little. That and his HR numbers for a catcher shoudl help as well.

i would be very suprised if he is a first ballot. i predict 2nd maybe (doubltfull) 3rd. But he is getting in.

he's the only catcher with 300+ home runs, isn't he? 300 home runs for any position player is pretty damn good

How many did Bench hit?

Agreed that he's a definite HOFer. 1st ballot depends on who he gets on the ballot with.

 

[ThePresence]

Originally posted by: rh71
The thing that amazes me the most about him was that he was some ridiculously low # draft... as in very late. And was only chosen by LA because he was Lasorda's god-son or something like that. Then you take a look at his career numbers. Ridiculous.

Really tough to know who's going to blossom and who won't. Talent is a very difficult thing to gauge in baseball, more so than in other sports.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: BudAshes
Piazza was so funny on the A's last year. He comes off as the gayest man in baseball by far. He wears these ultra tight pants and is always making these really effeminate gestures and slapping dudes on the ass. He kept me entertained all year.

You know what they say about guys w/ gaydar?

 

[sciencewhiz]

Originally posted by: jalaram

Originally posted by: zinfamous


he's the only catcher with 300+ home runs, isn't he? 300 home runs for any position player is pretty damn good

How many did Bench hit?

Agreed that he's a definite HOFer. 1st ballot depends on who he gets on the ballot with.

Bench had a career average of .267 with 389 home runs. Yogi Bera hit .285 with 358 HR. Carlton Fisk was a .269 hitter with 376 HR. Only Bench was a first ballot hall of famer.

Piazza is a .308 career hitter with 427 home runs.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: anxi80
well he is going up against some big names. i guess it all depends on how the voters lean towards steroids abuse by some of the other players eligible (clemens, bonds, sosa).

piazza should get in ahead of those three

well, in that case...I don't think so. Ahead of Sosa definitely (lifetime .260 or so, right?)

But Bonds is the greatest player of this generation; Clemens is in the top 5 pitchers, probably in history. The only thing holding them back, of course, is the steroids BS. That's the only reason Piazza would get in ahead of those two.

stats-wise, though, he shouldn't. And He's one of my all-time favorites, too.

That's why the Hall of Fame is not filled just with people who put up the best stats. Of course, his longevity at that position will raise some questions, so I doubt he'll be able to escape the "steroid" accusations either. Sure it will be hushed and probably no one will actually speak out loud about it, but the doubts are there all the same (as anyone from this era in baseball will have to deal with). I'm not saying it's fair, but its the sad truth of the state of baseball.

 

[rudder]

After ruining his hair for 9 innings... it only took him 90 seconds to make it look good again.

 

[DanTMWTMP]

I was so sad when he left the dodgers. He was the face of the franchise since almost his rookie year here. He had a good career, and an all-around feel-good player.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: sciencewhiz

Originally posted by: jalaram

Originally posted by: zinfamous


he's the only catcher with 300+ home runs, isn't he? 300 home runs for any position player is pretty damn good

How many did Bench hit?

Agreed that he's a definite HOFer. 1st ballot depends on who he gets on the ballot with.

Bench had a career average of .267 with 389 home runs. Yogi Bera hit .285 with 358 HR. Carlton Fisk was a .269 hitter with 376 HR. Only Bench was a first ballot hall of famer.

Piazza is a .308 career hitter with 427 home runs.

oh...it was 400+ homeruns. damn. Piazza is a beast.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: darkswordsman17

Originally posted by: zinfamous

Originally posted by: daveymark

Originally posted by: anxi80
well he is going up against some big names. i guess it all depends on how the voters lean towards steroids abuse by some of the other players eligible (clemens, bonds, sosa).

piazza should get in ahead of those three

well, in that case...I don't think so. Ahead of Sosa definitely (lifetime .260 or so, right?)

But Bonds is the greatest player of this generation; Clemens is in the top 5 pitchers, probably in history. The only thing holding them back, of course, is the steroids BS. That's the only reason Piazza would get in ahead of those two.

stats-wise, though, he shouldn't. And He's one of my all-time favorites, too.

That's why the Hall of Fame is not filled just with people who put up the best stats. Of course, his longevity at that position will raise some questions, so I doubt he'll be able to escape the "steroid" accusations either. Sure it will be hushed and probably no one will actually speak out loud about it, but the doubts are there all the same (as anyone from this era in baseball will have to deal with). I'm not saying it's fair, but its the sad truth of the state of baseball.

definitely; after you realize that one requirement to be in Hall seems to be having played before 1920 or so. It's ridiculous some of the people that are in there.

Roger Maris, for one....shouldn't be in the Hall...

 

[BudAshes]

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: BudAshes
Piazza was so funny on the A's last year. He comes off as the gayest man in baseball by far. He wears these ultra tight pants and is always making these really effeminate gestures and slapping dudes on the ass. He kept me entertained all year.

You know what they say about guys w/ gaydar?

My family tree is full of queers, while i don't happen to be one of them or really understand them, I did happen to retain some of their powers.

 

[umbrella39]

I was surprised to hear he hadn't already retired years ago.

 

[dethman]

didn't even know he was still playing.