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Piazza in Pinstripes?

Were Piazza to Sign with the Yankees I Would . . .

Burn my Piazza collectables, then buy a "A-Rod Sucks, Jeter Swallows & Piazza Spits" t-shirt.	3 votes
Refuse to speak of him until he gets inducted to the Hall as a Met.	11 votes
Officially hate him but secretly hope he does well. When he does, and Piazza gets inducted as a Yankee, I will blame myself.	6 votes
Unabashedly root for him and secretly hope he gets his ring.	4 votes
Become a Yankee fan and start sending anonymous tips to Murray Chass that David Wright is gay.	0 votes

Rotblatt Jan 24 2006 10:34 AM

Were Piazza to Sign with the Yankees I Would . . .

seawolf17 Jan 24 2006 10:40 AM

Boy, I'm somewhere between "refuse to speak of him" and "officially hate him, but". I was thinking about this on my drive to work this morning... in reality, the Yankees are just another team, so why should I care? And I guess I don't. He provided a lot of great moments for me, so I wish him the best. I can't let my hatred for that franchise taint that memory.

ScarletKnight41 Jan 24 2006 10:45 AM

I'd have to go with hate, just for what it would take to explain the signing to MK.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 10:48 AM

Hating Mike Piazza for playing for the Yankees is probably the most childish thing imaginable. I'm struggling to come up with something else that is more childish. If there is a need to hate someone, hate Omar.

Edgy DC Jan 24 2006 10:50 AM

I think we had this poll. I wouldn't blame Mike Piazza too much.

ScarletKnight41 Jan 24 2006 10:56 AM

Considering what I'm dealing with at the moment (planning a Bar Mitzvah and starting a new semester), I give myself license to be as chilish as I want. Talk to me again in a month. In the meantime, I'll hate anyone who adds anything to my To Do list.

vtmet Jan 24 2006 11:05 AM

What difference does it make where he plays or how he does? It's like getting rid of a used car...you hope that you got your money's worth out of it, but once it's gone, it's no longer your problem...why hate him for playing on a team that you don't like?...Why regret letting him go?...We didn't win with him in the last 3 seasons while paying him $45 Mil to not produce at a superstar level, so why was it wrong to let him go?...time for him to move on...time for fans to let it go...

Rotblatt Jan 24 2006 11:07 AM

I went for officially hate but secretly root for, although I was borderline "unabashedly root for." I mean, I'd probably give him a big old standing ovation every time he came up, but if someone were to ask me, point blank, he is, after all, a Yankee. I almost added a "Hate Omar" option, Elster, but thought that might queer the pitch a bit. I wanted this to be more about Mike and less about the Mets organization.

sharpie Jan 24 2006 11:09 AM

I'd be a little sad but not much. MFYs always want our scraps.

Rotblatt Jan 24 2006 11:10 AM

vtmet wrote: What difference does it make where he plays or how he does? It's like getting rid of a used car...you hope that you got your money's worth out of it, but once it's gone, it's no longer your problem...why hate him for playing on a team that you don't like?...Why regret letting him go?...We didn't win with him in the last 3 seasons while paying him $45 Mil to not produce at a superstar level, so why was it wrong to let him go?...time for him to move on...time for fans to let it go... Dude, that's cold, but if you were up for GM, I'd vote for you.

metirish Jan 24 2006 11:10 AM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 24 2006 11:16 AM

I wouldn't like to see him with the Yankees but I'd not hate Piazza either,anyway I don't see where he would fit on that team, they have a backup catcher and a DH, maybe even a few DH types.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 11:13 AM

That's what I was thinking too, Irish. I think it would be purely some sort of grabbing-ex-Mets agenda from George. It wouldn't even do much towards a goal of causing grief to the Mets themselves, since the front office obviously doesn't give a crap.

metirish Jan 24 2006 11:17 AM

]I think it would be purely some sort of grabbing-ex-Mets agenda from George Yeah Steinbrenner would do that wouldn't he, this might test weather Cashman is running the team.

duan Jan 24 2006 11:38 AM

I'd be a little deflated at seeing him in a skankee uniform. I tell you what I wouldn't have minded paying $2-3 mill for occasional catching, ph'ing and dh'ing. He'd be a heck of a weapon on the bench eh?

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 11:40 AM

Nah, much better to trade for relievers with a 5.86 ERA and sign a 47 year old man as a weapon off the bench. __________________ This post had the designation 76) Dan Frisella

metirish Jan 24 2006 11:42 AM

He'd be a better alternative to what they got last season from Flaherty as backup catcher and Ruben Sierra as DH.

vtmet Jan 24 2006 12:21 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 24 2006 12:22 PM

metirish wrote: He'd be a better alternative to what they got last season from Flaherty as backup catcher and Ruben Sierra as DH. Tell that to Randy Johnson...who at one point last season looked washed up as an ace...he was 5-5 having lost of his last 4 starts...then he switched to his "personal" catcher for the most part for the rest of the season (Posada still caught the Eunich occasionally, but Flaherty was his primary catcher)...RJ finished off the year 17-8, almost all of those losses were with Posada catching...

heep Jan 24 2006 12:21 PM

Piazza has got to do what he has got to do. Wish him luck. Yankees will not win again for a long time anyway. They suck.

Willets Point Jan 24 2006 12:38 PM

Reruns again? This poll was much better when I posted it back in October.

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2006 01:50 PM

First of all, the sources of this "story" sound a lot closer to writers wanting this to be true -- remember the axiom about writers wishing for things that make their jobs more interesting -- more than it sounds like something that's got a chance of actually doing so. Essentially, the fact that Cashman didn't scream out 'NO NEVER!!!!' was their license to run with it. If it were to happen I'd root against him playing well because ... well because he'd be on the Yanx, but I'd have no personal animosity towards him. If you're him, why SHOULDN'T he take the job there if offered? ]...then [Big Unit] switched to his "personal" catcher for the most part for the rest of the season My recollection is that he pitched to Flaherty most of the season and that his "turnaround" wasn't caused by a sudden catching switch. Now, of course, Flaherty's gone and Kelly Stinnett - who apparently has the RJ stamp of approval from their days in Arizona - is the new backup and presumably the every 5th day catcher. Signing Piazza in the Bronx would be superfluous - although it's not like they never done that before. With Bernie already lined up as DH and their desire to get Giambi off 1st base as often as possible would leave very few "open" days as DH, and Stinnett leaves few open as backup catcher and who knows what RJ would have to say about it all. I seriously doubt this is going to happen. The interesting part of this whole thing is Posada's contract. If Jorge starts somewhere around 80-90 games this season then his contract for '07 becomes guaranteed and 2008 becomes an option year with a large buyout. IOW, just as he'd likely be into serious decline they'd be on the hook for at least an additional $17mil above and beyond this year. If he misses that threshold they could release him at the end of '06 and be out from under that money. Supposedly the Yanx discussed obtaining Molina with the idea of preventing Posada from reaching his mark but are reluctant to possibly unleash ill-will in the clubhouse over such a naked attempt at screwing him especially since Jorge is Jeter's best bud.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 01:58 PM

]First of all, the sources of this "story" sound a lot closer to writers wanting this to be true -- remember the axiom about writers wishing for things that make their jobs more interesting -- more than it sounds like something that's got a chance of actually doing so. Essentially, the fact that Cashman didn't scream out 'NO NEVER!!!!' was their license to run with it. No writer would EVER put his agenda over what he thought was the true story. To do so would risk losing his reputation, being fired, and being tarred-and-feathered.

Rotblatt Jan 24 2006 02:00 PM

]This poll was much better when I posted it back in October. Woah, you're totally right. Well, imitation is the sincerest and all. I really wish I had remembered that poll . . . ]If it were to happen I'd root against him playing well because ... well because he'd be on the Yanx, but I'd have no personal animosity towards him. If you're him, why SHOULDN'T he take the job there if offered? Because the Yankees are evil incarnate?

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2006 02:04 PM

To you and I they are, yes. To Piazza they have another name: P-O-T-E-N-T-I-A-L E-M-P-L-O-Y-E-R The irony of this whole thing, is that this looks like it's coming down Piazza winding up taking (wherever he takes it) the backup/part-time role for short money that he initially rejected to become a FA in the first place.

Nymr83 Jan 24 2006 03:58 PM

]who apparently has the RJ stamp of approval that line kills me. how many wins did Maddux cost the braves (not that it mattered) by refusing to pitch to a catcher who was their 2nd best hitter for a few years? i get tired of this "i dont want to pitch to him" act...

seawolf17 Jan 24 2006 04:02 PM

I guess in certain situations, the "personal catcher" works. If a guy who wins 15 games every single year wants to pitch to a certain guy, you let him. If your captain can't catch the knuckleballer who frustrates the hell out of your main rival, then you let the other guy catch him. Only somewhat relevant... somewhere on the old board, I did a quick study of the Braves 2nd catchers through the last ten years, showing how they almost universally beat the living hell out of the Mets, as opposed to their numbers against the rest of the league. So maybe it didn't cost them so much after all.

Zvon Jan 24 2006 04:44 PM

Id wish him well and thank him for what he was for my team, while he was on it. Years from now if this in any way cost the Mets a hat in the HOF, then I may have something to say contrary to that. I may be furious. But even then I wont blame Mike.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 04:45 PM

Unless he goes back to the Dodgers or comes back here, I highly doubt the last years of his career will influence the hat that goes on his headstone.

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2006 04:46 PM

The Maddox/anti-Lopez thing (was it professional or a personal feud? ... man I'd like to hear the details of that one some day) was particularly costly because the gap between what Javy was hitting and the usual backup (whoever it was at the time) was pretty large in those days. Plus, they extended it into the playoffs and Cox usually carried a 3rd catcher in October because of the whole arrangement which weakened their bench considerably. The Posada vs Flaherty/Stinnett difference is big too but if you're going to sit an aging catcher like Posada approx every 5 days anyway there's some argument to be made that pairing the backup with the same guy each go 'round makes some sort of sense particularly if they seem to work well together. You do hate to have the prima donna pitcher dictate stuff like that though and the main guy should still be in there occasionally just so they're not strangers when they really do have to work together. All of which reminds me of last season when Castro was catching Pedro more often than not in the early going, and how M&MD picked up on that almost immediately and (with a nod to long-ago supposed bad feelings between MP and Pedro's brother Ramon) declared by about the 3rd time around the rotation that "it's obvious Pedro has gone to mgmt and told them he wants no part of Piazza". That declaration turned out to be ridiculously premature (and wrong) since the two were matched up plenty of times throughout the year.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 04:50 PM Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 24 2006 04:51 PM

]how M&MD picked up on that almost immediately and (with a nod to long-ago supposed bad feelings between MP and Pedro's brother Ramon) declared by about the 3rd time around the rotation that "it's obvious Pedro has gone to mgmt and told them he wants no part of Piazza". [M&MD apologist] This is not how I remember it. They didn't say it was obvious, they said it was what they thought was going on. It was more Russo than Francessa. Then, when Pedro pitched to Mike the next day (it was a game where Piazza went like 11 for 13), they spent the first ten minutes of their next show saying they screwed up and got it completely wrong. And they said they thought it dated back to Mikey's spring training attack with that bitch on the Marlins and Pedro's comments following. I don't remember Ramon as part of the conversation.[/M&MD apologist]

seawolf17 Jan 24 2006 04:51 PM

]Sources: Phillies, Piazza have preliminary talks By Jayson Stark ESPN.com The Phillies have shown interest in free-agent catcher Mike Piazza over the last few days. Discussions between the team and Piazza's agents, the Beverly Hills Sports Council, have been "very preliminary," according to one source, and haven't specifically addressed money or Piazza's role. But Piazza could fit as a complement to Mike Lieberthal, who some of the club's decision-makers feel would be best off playing only about four days a week. The Phillies also need to settle on a right-handed bat to play first base and give Ryan Howard days off against left-handed pitching. Piazza once had the Phillies on his no-trade list, but he is said to be interested. Toronto, San Diego, Baltimore and Anaheim also are thought to have mild interest in Piazza. And his agents talked with the Yankees recently about a job as a backup catcher and part-time DH.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 04:52 PM

It's nice that we don't have to worry about having Piazza on our team, since we're set in the backup catcher department. I coulda sworn that Mets' management said Piazza would not accept a reduced role.

Frayed Knot Jan 24 2006 05:02 PM

]This is not how I remember it That was specifically how I remember it -- about Russo in particular --although either of our memories could be less than accurate at this point. And I don't really bring this up just to go M&MD bashing; more like me using the subject to point out an example about how when peeps start off w/a pre-conceived notion (Pedro hates Mike) it's easy to take the conclusion which existed in their head to begin with and declare it a fact based on scant evidence (in this case on only 3 or 4 starts). I do remember one or both of them recanting after the "fact" turned out to be not so factual.

Johnny Dickshot Jan 24 2006 05:18 PM

It also seemed as if no amount of recantation would actually make up for the fact that Puppydog basically massaged that Pedro v. Piazza angle all winter long, without a whole lot of insight, it turned out.

Elster88 Jan 24 2006 05:19 PM

I still crack up when he's referred to as the Angry Puppy. It's the comedic gift that keeps on giving.

Nymr83 Jan 24 2006 05:35 PM

]I coulda sworn that Mets' management said Piazza would not accept a reduced role. I'll give the Mets the benefit of the doubt here as this might have been true when the deadline for offering arbitration rolled around...Piazza and his agent have probably gotten a rude awakening since then.

mlbaseballtalk Jan 24 2006 11:15 PM

Nymr83 wrote: ]I coulda sworn that Mets' management said Piazza would not accept a reduced role. I'll give the Mets the benefit of the doubt here as this might have been true when the deadline for offering arbitration rolled around...Piazza and his agent have probably gotten a rude awakening since then. There were alot of speculation that Piazza had a few choices this winter, mostly AL teams that could use a catcher/DH such as Minnesota, Baltimore, Angels, even the A's I have a feeling also it was kind of like the Al Leiter situation where the Mets gave Mike something they knew he would turn down, so they could go to the media and fans and say "Hey he didn't want to come back"

Elster88 Jan 25 2006 01:40 AM

]I have a feeling also it was kind of like the Al Leiter situation where the Mets gave Mike something they knew he would turn down, so they could go to the media and fans and say "Hey he didn't want to come back" Despite the general notion that the front office makes many of their moves based on how it will play in the local tabloids (Post, Daily News, etc.), I doubt the front office worries about how it will look to the fans.

*62 Jan 25 2006 07:39 AM

How do you not root for Mike?

Edgy DC Jan 25 2006 08:34 AM

Welcome aBordick, *62.

sharpie Jan 25 2006 09:02 AM

Piazza may well have said that he didn't want a reduced role when the FA period was commencing. However, interest in him as a full-time player hasn't been great and given that there are other better defensive catchers and HOF-type sluggers still out there, he may well have changed his mind.

cooby Jan 25 2006 09:11 AM

I'll bet somebody could write a clever song to this thread title to the tune "Forever in Blue Jeans"

soupcan Jan 25 2006 09:12 AM

Put me down for 'don't care one way or the other'. vtmet said it best - it's time to move on.

silverdsl Jan 25 2006 09:56 AM

I can't see Piazza ending up with the Yankees because there really isn't a lot of room for him. If there was room for him I wouldn't have minded the Yankees signing him in a part-time role for a reasonable amount of money. He is definitely not the player that he once was but he might be able to be a useful player in a limited role. If he were a Yankee and he signed with the Mets I'd have no problem with it. Players have to make the choices that they think are best for themselves and their careers that will make them happy, not what will make the fans happy. There isn't a huge amount of demand for Piazza and he can't start excluding teams because of their rivalry with a team that he no longer has any ties to.

Elster88 Jan 25 2006 10:07 AM

Everytime I mention that I hate all Yankee fans I have to remind myself that that's not fair. There are probably plenty of Silvers in the fan base. She just happens to be the only one I have personally conversed/posted with.

metirish Jan 25 2006 11:05 AM

Elster88 Jan 25 2006 11:06 AM

That is a disgusting picture. Even worse than the streaker at the soccer game. _______________ This post had the designation 74) Nolan Ryan

Nymr83 Jan 25 2006 11:14 AM

i saw that picture and felt like burning my paper this morning. the Post writers should have photoshop removed from their computers if thats what they're going to do with it.

ScarletKnight41 Jan 25 2006 11:15 AM

Elster88 wrote: Everytime I mention that I hate all Yankee fans I have to remind myself that that's not fair. There are probably plenty of Silvers in the fan base. She just happens to be the only one I have personally conversed/posted with. Sadly, there aren't all that many like Silver. Here's my litmus test - when someone claims to be a MFY fan, ask the person to tell you what position Don Mattingly played. You'd be shocked to discover how few can answer that question.

HahnSolo Jan 25 2006 11:17 AM

Some might actually get that right. How about asking who the Yankee manager was before Joe Torre.

ScarletKnight41 Jan 25 2006 11:20 AM

We could come up with a five or ten question quiz. Basic questions for anyone who has been a fan for more than 10 years. Those who can't answer them are, by definition, bandwagoners.

cooby Jan 25 2006 11:22 AM

HahnSolo wrote: Some might actually get that right. How about asking who the Yankee manager was before Joe Torre. Who was it?

Elster88 Jan 25 2006 11:24 AM

Buck.

cooby Jan 25 2006 11:25 AM

Bidi bidi

Willets Point Jan 25 2006 11:32 AM

Elster88 wrote: Everytime I mention that I hate all Yankee fans I have to remind myself that that's not fair. There are probably plenty of Silvers in the fan base. She just happens to be the only one I have personally conversed/posted with. I recall reading that Red Sox fans in attendance at the final game of the 2004 ALCS were suprised at how many Yankees' fans were graciously congratulating them for the Red Sox on their victory. I like to think that these were season ticket holding "real Yankee fans" whose repuation is marred by the throngs of "die-hard since 1996, don't I look cool in my Jeter jersey and red Yankee cap" bandagoners.

silverdsl Jan 25 2006 02:51 PM

ScarletKnight41 wrote: We could come up with a five or ten question quiz. Basic questions for anyone who has been a fan for more than 10 years. Those who can't answer them are, by definition, bandwagoners. Trust me when I say that while I know many great Yankee fans, someone being a long-time fan doesn't guarantee that they're not an a$$hat or that they are knowledgable or if they are knowledgable that they have any kind of common sense about the game or... you get the picture. I think that's true of fans in general across all teams and sports - there are some fans that I've encountered whether it be at baseball games, hockey games, at a Nascar race, online, etc.. that just make me cringe and shake my head.

ScarletKnight41 Jan 25 2006 02:55 PM

But, conversely, those of a certain age (let's say over the age of 28) who claim to be such great fans but who can't answer simple, basic questions are, generally, asshats. Someone claiming great fandom should have a modicum of knowledge to back up his/her claim.

metirish Jan 26 2006 10:13 PM

] Piazza likely will be Padre BY KEN DAVIDOFF STAFF WRITER January 26, 2006, 9:46 PM EST The Yankees are officially out of the Mike Piazza chase, a certain disappointment to the former Mets catcher. But the San Diego Padres, whose locale appeals to the 37-year-old, remain very interested. According to a major-league official, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman notified Piazza's agent Dan Lozano on Thursday that the team would pass on the future Hall of Famer. "I've got nothing to report," Cashman said. The Yankees intend to carry 12 pitchers, leaving them with 13 position players. With catcher Kelly Stinnett, infielder Miguel Cairo and outfielder Bubba Crosby already tagged as reserves, the last spot likely will go to Andy Phillips, who can spot Jason Giambi at first base. The Yankees ultimately decided that Phillips' defense would prove more useful than Piazza's offense. Piazza relished the idea of serving as the Yankees' part-time designated hitter. But with the Yankees no longer interested, he could find himself in San Diego, for about $2 million. The Padres began negotiations with Lozano about a week ago, according to Padres GM Kevin Towers. Said Towers: " basically said to DH was Mike's preference, but if that didn't work out, he'd really want to be on the West Coast." San Diego has carried on a busy offseason, acquiring Mike Cameron in a trade from the Mets and re-signing free agents Brian Giles and Trevor Hoffman, both for hometown discounts. At catcher, however, the defending National League West champions are unimposing, having lost Ramon Hernandez to Baltimore through free agency. Former Red Sox backup Doug Mirabelli, David Ross and former Yankees backup Todd Greene make up the catching corps. "He still thinks he can catch 70 to 80 games," Towers said of Piazza. "We can probably carry three catchers." Piazza could DH in the Padres' nine interleague road games, Towers added, and the GM said that he could even envision Piazza playing "10 to 15 games" at first base during the season. Piazza didn't play first base at all for the 2005 Mets, after struggling greatly there in 2004. Towers said he had largely been playing "phone tag" with Lozano, but negotiations could progress quickly now that the Yankees are out. The Phillies and Toronto also have expressed interest in Piazza.

soupcan Jan 26 2006 10:19 PM

He could do worse, San Diego's a nice town.

Rockin' Doc Jan 26 2006 11:52 PM

And two million dollars can buy a lot of suntan lotion.

Zvon Jan 27 2006 06:57 AM

Thats kool metirish. We get to see the cover of the Post every day. :)

Vic Sage Jan 27 2006 12:30 PM

The Pods are in a rare money-spending mode. and with Mirabelli as their catcher, they could certainly use Mike's bat as an alternative to playing a career backup. And with his power, Piazza might be one of the few hitters in baseball who wouldn't necessarily be hurt by Petco Park. And it doesn't hurt that he's already a hero in Southern California. Mike to SD makes alot of sense, for all parties.

MFS62 Jan 27 2006 02:01 PM

vtmet captured my sentiments. Now that Mike's no longer a Met, I could care less where he signs. His contributions to the Mets spoke for themselves. Its just that some folks heard it through different filters. I wish him well, but would not get heartburn over which team he continues playing for. About that Hall of Fame hat issue. For players who have made substantial contributions for primarily two teams, I'd like to see them use a hologram on their plaque hat, that would change team logos depending on where you were viewing it from. (For example, Carlton Fisk played more games for the Pale, rather than Red shade of Sox, but most people remember him best from when he played in Boston) Later

Frayed Knot Jan 27 2006 02:40 PM

Now all you have to do is figure out how to hologram bronze and your idea is in business.

MFS62 Jan 27 2006 02:49 PM

Frayed Knot wrote: Now all you have to do is figure out how to hologram bronze and your idea is in business. My job is to come up with the ideas. Then I turn it over to the chipheads and engineers to make it happen. Sorta' like in the Dilbert strip. This one's too good to oitsource to elbonia. Later

metsmarathon Jan 27 2006 03:34 PM

prolly wouldnt be too hard with a good laser etching and rigorously controlled material processing. the thing you'd have to worry about is the grain structure, as that could easily throw off the scatter of the light. you'd then of course have to do a really good job of protecting the surface from scratching and what not.

Bret Sabermetric Jan 27 2006 05:19 PM

Win shares, my friends, win shares. You go in the HOF in the uni of whichever team you earned the most win shares with. "Easy, peasy, Japanesy." * * points for IDing movie moronic line comes from.

cooby Jan 27 2006 05:26 PM

Sounds kinda like a Cover Girl ad

Bret Sabermetric Jan 27 2006 05:39 PM

No, it was a movie, maybe one of the ten best movies I ever saw.

Zvon Jan 27 2006 08:54 PM

I have to say if Piazza is willing to be a 3rd string bench player for around 2 mill (which I have read) that,even tho he may not fit in with the Mets current plans, Im kinda disappointed he's not gonna do that for the Mets. He did say he was willing to stay and play a lesser role before last season even ended. I wouldnt be ticked at him tho. Maybe at the Mets. At the same token, maybe its best to remember him at his prime, as a Met, forever frozen in time takin that axe wielding like swing and sending a ball into orbit. In any case Ill miss him and wish him well. (yea, im feelin sentimental) As far as the HOF hat goes, I was kinda being facetious. He's gonna go as a Met. (Unless he goes somewhere, gets in the WS every year for the next 4 yrs and hits 2 homers in every game. Then Ill be furious.)

Nymr83 Jan 27 2006 09:32 PM

Zvon wrote: As far as the HOF hat goes, I was kinda being facetious. He's gonna go as a Met. (Unless he goes somewhere, gets in the WS every year for the next 4 yrs and hits 2 homers in every game. Then Ill be furious.) the only thing that could REALLY keep him out as a Met is to return to the Dodgers and be productive for a couple of years or win a WS there.

Zvon Jan 27 2006 10:10 PM

Nymr83 wrote: ="Zvon"] As far as the HOF hat goes, I was kinda being facetious. He's gonna go as a Met. (Unless he goes somewhere, gets in the WS every year for the next 4 yrs and hits 2 homers in every game. Then Ill be furious.) the only thing that could REALLY keep him out as a Met is to return to the Dodgers and be productive for a couple of years or win a WS there. bite yer tongue. ;)