Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza is a former professional baseball catcher widely regarded as one of the greatest offensive players at his position in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB). Over a 16-year career, primarily with the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets, he was a 12-time All-Star and set the record for most home runs by a catcher. His dramatic home run for the Mets in the first professional sporting event in New York City following the September 11 attacks remains an iconic moment in American sports history. Piazza was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016, his fourth year of eligibility.

Early life and amateur career

Born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, Piazza was the son of Vince Piazza, a successful car dealer and longtime friend of Los Angeles Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda. His family later moved to the Phoenixville area, where he attended Phoenixville Area High School and excelled in both baseball and football. Despite his athletic prowess, he was not heavily recruited and attended the University of Miami on a football scholarship before transferring to Miami–Dade College to focus on baseball. His father's connection to Lasorda led to the Dodgers selecting Piazza in the 62nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball draft, a pick widely viewed as a favor, which began his unlikely path to professional baseball.

Professional baseball career

Piazza made his MLB debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992 and won the National League Rookie of the Year Award the following season. He quickly established himself as a dominant hitter, winning the Silver Slugger Award in each of his first ten seasons and helping the Dodgers to a division title in 1995. Traded to the Florida Marlins in 1998, he was dealt just one week later to the New York Mets, where he achieved his greatest fame. As the cornerstone of the Mets' lineup, he led the team to the 2000 World Series against the New York Yankees and hit his famous post-9/11 home run on September 21, 2001. After the 2005 season, he played for the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics before retiring in 2007, holding the career record for home runs by a catcher, a mark later broken by Carlos Beltrán.

Post-playing career and legacy

Following his retirement, Piazza served as a hitting consultant for the Italian national baseball team during the 2009 World Baseball Classic and was a special instructor for the Mets during spring training. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in 2016, becoming the lowest-drafted player ever to receive the honor, and his plaque depicts him with a Mets cap. His number 31 was retired by the New York Mets in a ceremony at Citi Field in 2016. Piazza has also been involved in business ventures, including co-owning the Reggiana 1919 football club in Italy and launching a line of wines.

Personal life

Piazza has been married to former Playboy Playmate Alicia Rickter since 2005, and the couple has three children. He is a devout Roman Catholic and has been open about his faith throughout his life. An avid fan of hard rock music, particularly the band KISS, Piazza has also pursued interests in art collecting and real estate. He became a naturalized Italian citizen in 2006, which facilitated his role with the Italian national baseball team. Piazza published an autobiography, *Long Shot*, in 2013, which became a *New York Times* bestseller.

Awards and honors

Piazza's numerous accolades include the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year Award, 12 selections to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and 10 consecutive Silver Slugger Awards from 1993 to 2002. He finished as the runner-up for the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 1996 and 1997. He was named to the New York Mets Hall of Fame and the Major League Baseball All-Time Team. His most enduring honor remains his 2016 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, where he was elected on 83.0% of the Baseball Writers' Association of America ballots.

Category:American baseball players Category:Major League Baseball catchers Category:National Baseball Hall of Fame inductees