By: Calvin Ralph
As I sat down on the couch one night watching the usual evening sports talk shows on TV, the best baseball minds in television were talking about the 2015 class and why one certain player did NOT get into the Hall of Fame. It was a catcher that played for the Mets: Mike Piazza. It got me thinking why he’s not in the Hall of Fame yet.
First let’s look at his career stats:
Mike Piazza’s Career Stats (16 Years): 2127 Hits, 427 HRs, 1335 RBIs, .308 Batting Average, .377 OBP, .545 SLG
Aren’t they just marvelous? If we looked just at the stats, you would think they would put any player in the Hall.
Simply put, Mike Piazza is the best hitting catcher of all time. He ranks number among his position with 427 home runs. The four above him (Bench, Fisk, Berra, and Carter) are all in the Hall. He also ranks fifth in batting average amongst catchers. Besides still active Twins Joe Mauer who ranks 1st, the 3 others that in the top five are also enshrined in Cooperstown. He is the most productive catcher in MLB history at the plate with a .922 OPS. Thee other catchers under him in the top six besides Joe Mauer are all in the Hall.
But even statistics aside, Piazza has one of the most memorable moments in New York baseball. After the events of September 11th, Piazza brought New Yorkers together with an absolutely mammoth home run. We’re talking an absolute BOMB, one for the ages. Though it was only for a few minutes, it brought a sense of joy through New York.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GUrYQtg9p_I (video of the home run)
Some may argue that steroid speculation should prevent Piazza from his rightful place in Cooperstown. Finally, the steroid speculation. Apparently, in 2002-03 Piazza was seen with a bunch of zits on his back, which is commonly associated with steroids. But does that mean every pimply teenage kid used steroids, too? The fact is, he never failed a drug test, and if a few blackheads on Piazza’s back keep him from getting into the hall, then nobody should make it.
All he’s done, over 400 home runs, and he’s still not in. After three years, it is an absolute travesty that Mike Piazza is not in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
I’ve said all I can about Piazza and why he deserves it. What do you think? Should Mike Piazza be in the Hall of Fame? Leave a comment below and let me know.