Mike Piazza: as a Dodger or a Met?

[Mattingly]

Similar to a thread I'd asked sometime ago asking whether Randy Johnson went in as a Mariner or a Diamondback, two teams in which he did quite well, I'm now asking if Mike Piazza, who has retired today, will best be remembered (and thereby go into the Hall) as a Los Angeles Dodger, or as a New York Met?

If anyone here has any opinions one way or the next, please feel free to chime in. Many thanks in advance.

[metfan13]

While it's up to the Hall in cases where it's pretty close I'd be surprised if they didn't honor the player's wishes. If you read the full text of Piazza's retirement statement, it's pretty obvious where his sentiments lie.

It should be and will be as a Met.

[DodgerBlue8188]

Besides having a great rookie season and beating the odds from being drafted in the 62 round he didn't really accomplish THAT much as a Dodger. I don't even think he won a playoff game. As a Met they went to the World Series.

[steve rogers]

He was a better player as a Dodger but played a little longer with the Mets. After the Dave Winfield fiasco the Hall now chooses which hat the player wears on his plaque. I think this is a situation that the Hall will let the player choose. Personally I'm 50/50 on which he should wear.

Scott

[Chadwick]

Dodgers, I hope. More of his best seasons came in LA and I'm always eager to see the NY media take one up the rear.

[Seattle1]

A Florida Marlin!







(Sorry, I just wanted to be the first one to make that joke!)

[Fuzzy Bear]

In this case, I would go with Piazza's wishes between LA and NY.

He did play longer with the Mets, but he was at his highest peak with the Dodgers.

[parlo]

Dodgers, I hope. More of his best seasons came in LA and I'm always eager to see the NY media take one up the rear.

How would a Dodger cap on Piazzas plaque in Cooperstown accomplish this????

[BlueBlood]

The trade fiasco muddies the Dodger side of things. Yes, he was at his best for LA but he still played far more seasons in New York which was the entire middle of his career. Plus, he obviously wants to go in as a Met given comments where he expressed his love for the NYC fans.

[hairmetalfreek]

If it were up to me, he would be a Dodger in the Hall. That's where he became a superstar. Although if the same question were posed about Griffey Jr., I would prefer him going in as a Red since I'm a Cincinnati fan. It's all subjective and I have no logic behind my decision at all.

[parlo]

If it were up to me, he would be a Dodger in the Hall. That's where he became a superstar. Although if the same question were posed about Griffey Jr., I would prefer him going in as a Red since I'm a Cincinnati fan. It's all subjective and I have no logic behind my decision at all.

Usually, there is a team that first pops into your head for a player. Piazza...Dodgers.

[KCGHOST]

I usually think of him as a Dodger, even though he played about 100 more games as a Met. I'm sure the HoF will go with whichever of the two he prefers.

[Chadwick]

How would a Dodger cap on Piazzas plaque in Cooperstown accomplish this????

Uh...by not showcasing a NY cap on his plaque. :disbelief:

The trade fiasco muddies the Dodger side of things. Yes, he was at his best for LA but he still played far more seasons in New York which was the entire middle of his career.

Piazza played 8 seasons with the Mets, 7 with the Dodgers. Piazza spent only 6 seasons with each team as his team's starting catcher. Perhaps you could point out where Piazza was supposed to have played "far more seasons in New York"?

[jjpm74]

Uh...by not showcasing a NY cap on his plaque. :disbelief:


Piazza played 8 seasons with the Mets, 7 with the Dodgers. Piazza spent only 6 seasons with each team as his team's starting catcher. Perhaps you could point out where Piazza was supposed to have played "far more seasons in New York"?

The NY media (at least what I've heard on the local talk shows last night and today) seems to think Piazza should go in as a Dodger and not a Met. He had his best years in LA and was never fully accepted by the NY fans.

[Chadwick]

Let's just dispel this right now. My original comment came only from a pet peeve of certain people giving the impression they think the baseball world revolves around New York City. There are 28 other major league teams and, all other things being equal, I'm happy to see some of those get more exposure when given the choice between one of them and a NY team/player.

The only way NY wins this debate is if preference is given to people's opinions. There's no real advantage in the longevity side of things and the bulk of Piazza's best seasons certainly came on the West Coast.