Mike Piazza

Michael Joseph Piazza (September 4, 1968-) was arguably the best-hitting catcher in Major League history and holds the record for most home runs by a catcher (396), finishing his career with a total of 427. The Los Angeles Dodgers took Piazza in the 62nd round of the 1988 amateur draft – in part as a favor by his godfather, manager Tommy Lasorda. Privileged as a boy to be tutored Ted Williams, one of the greatest hitters in history, Mike displayed his ability to hit for average and for power in A+. AA and Triple-A ball before his call up in 1992. His debut came late in the 1992 season, and during his tenure with the Dodgers (1992-1998), Piazza was named the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year after hitting .318 with 35 home runs and 112 RBI; that same season Piazza was selected for his first of twelve All-Star Games, and won the first of ten Silver Slugger Awards. His best season came in 1997, hitting .362 with 40 home runs and 124 RBI. After a brief stint with the Florida Marlins (1998), he was sent to the New York Mets (1998-2005) and helped lead the team to back-to-back play-off appearances. He finished his playing career with one-year contracts with the San Diego Padres (2006) and Oakland Athletics (2007). Slamming 427 home runs in his career, Piazza holds a .308 batting average with 2,127 hits, 1,048 runs scored and 1,335 RBI. Though not especially remembered for his strong arm and ability to catch potential base stealers (23% caught stealing), Piazza posted an impressive .989 fielding percentage with 10,844 putouts and 733 assists behind the plate. Mike Piazza was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016.