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WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Nymr83 Jan 06 2016 11:03 PM

its about damn time! [url]http://45.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_llrvid8mXX1qekp52o1_400.gif

d'Kong76 Jan 06 2016 11:10 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Glad it's a small group, two greats of the game. Congratulations.

bmfc1 Jan 06 2016 11:11 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Retire his number.

Nymr83 Jan 06 2016 11:14 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

bmfc1 wrote: Retire his number. they'll wait until the ticket sales opportunity is best, this summer already locked up the big weekends celebrating 30th anniversary of 1986

Zvon Jan 06 2016 11:26 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Congratulations Mr. Piazza! I'm slipping. I should have had a card or graphic all ready to go.

Batty31 Jan 06 2016 11:29 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

About freaking time!!! Congrats!!!!!

A Boy Named Seo Jan 06 2016 11:36 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Some lame voter(s?) thought Griffey needed to wait a year like he's gotta pay his dues or some dumb thing. Congrats, Batch!

bmfc1 Jan 06 2016 11:37 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Nymr83 wrote: bmfc1 wrote: Retire his number. they'll wait until the ticket sales opportunity is best, this summer already locked up the big weekends celebrating 30th anniversary of 1986 Right--the Dodgers would be a good opponent on "Mike Piazza Night" but that's "1986" weekend.

d'Kong76 Jan 07 2016 12:06 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

They could retire his number early in the year when some games are slow due the cold. They'd get a sell-out, and they can put the money to good use paying down debt and stuff. I need a new Fafif shirt, one with a 31 would be nice sometime soon...

themetfairy Jan 07 2016 12:23 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Congratulations Mikey Joseph! This is a favorite photo of mine because I took it during Beanie Babies Day 1999. I scored press credentials so I could write up the event for Mary Beth's Beanie World and was able to be on the field for batting practice. I asked Mike Piazza for a quote about Beanie Babies; he didn't really have a reaction, but when he saw that I was disappointed he thought for a moment and gave me a nice little quote for my story. He also was one of the players nice enough to pose with my Beanie Baby. Mazel Tov to a Hall of Famer and a true mensch!

Ceetar Jan 07 2016 12:49 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

about time. Shame it comes after I no longer really care about that particular Hall of Fame, but still nice to be in the 'real' Hall. Of course, it would've been a lot easier for me to attend that first year... I don't know if they'll sell out his number retirement. I don't think they sold out the Mets Hall of Fame induction, number is a bigger deal though I guess. If I had to wager it'll be July 30th or 31st, that following weekend, to sorta 'follow up' the Hall of Fame ceremony, or mid-September. Twins/18th? I think they want to do it after.

Lefty Specialist Jan 07 2016 01:16 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Happy Dance. (Calls friends in Oneonta to ask if we can spend a weekend this summer)

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 07 2016 01:58 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Booking a room-- even since before the official announcement-- has been, um, trying.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 07 2016 02:02 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Gotta pitch a tent out there, too nice not to.

Ceetar Jan 07 2016 02:07 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr wrote: Booking a room-- even since before the official announcement-- has been, um, trying. really needed to do this like 6 months ago.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 07 2016 02:14 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA! Edited 1 time(s), most recently on Jan 07 2016 02:42 AM

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: Gotta pitch a tent out there, too nice not to. Oh, I'll be pitching a tent. The only question is whether we'll be camping as a I do so.

d'Kong76 Jan 07 2016 02:22 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

We know a pretty higher-up in the Otsego County sheriff's department. Maybe they can put a few of us up in the clink for a night or two.

Centerfield Jan 07 2016 04:07 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Nice coverage on MLB Network tonight. Really great to see Mike get the honor. Also cool to see Leiter on the panel that interviewed him. Could do without the "Piazza as a Dodger" highlights though. It's like stumbling upon old pictures of your wife when she was dating someone else.

MFS62 Jan 07 2016 04:34 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA! Edited 2 time(s), most recently on Jan 07 2016 04:39 AM

Centerfield wrote: Could do without the "Piazza as a Dodger" highlights though. It's like stumbling upon old pictures of your wife when she was dating someone else. It will be interesting to see the team logo he will wear on his plaque. The player gets to discuss it with the HOF (when he has played substantial time with more than one team) but does not get the final say. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hat-griffe ... --mlb.html OE: looks like this was touched on in the HOF voting thread. Later

Nymr83 Jan 07 2016 04:35 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Can't find a room? don't worry, the Mets have you covered (for a hefty fee I'm sure): [url]https://www.sportstravelandtours.com/WebPackageListMLB.asp the rates are sky high and you won't even be staying in Cooperstown... rooms in ALBANY!

Valadius Jan 07 2016 01:39 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Looking forward to seeing his number retired!

Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2016 01:50 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

They didn't do it for Gary Carter, even when he was dying, so it's not exactly a sure thing.

dgwphotography Jan 07 2016 02:02 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Benjamin Grimm wrote: They didn't do it for Gary Carter, even when he was dying, so it's not exactly a sure thing. This isn't an appropriate analogy. Carter had the majority of his HOF-worthy years as an Expo, and went in with a Montreal cap on his plaque, as he should have. Piazza had more homers as a Met than for any other team, and played for the Mets longer than for the Dodgers. He should go in as a Met, and have his number retired.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2016 02:10 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

I know. I agree that Piazza is more worthy of a retired number than Carter is (although if it were up to me I don't think I would retire 31 either) but I'm just pointing out that we can't assume that the number will be retired.

John Cougar Lunchbucket Jan 07 2016 02:15 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

I'm certain it will happen, particularly because Piazza has been such an ally of the Wilpons all these years, careful to have never said a bad thing about the organization and outspoken in his desire to identify as a Met. Cynical me thinks this is all to some degree calculated or bought and paid for on some level, but at least it gives fans what they want.

Frayed Knot Jan 07 2016 02:16 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Piazza hit at a better rate as a Dodger [51 points of OPS] but was a Met for longer [3,941 PAs vs 3,017]. In cases like that where it's pretty much a toss-up as to what fans remember his as I think they should pretty much leave it up to the player. As I've said before, I treat this whole 'what you go in as' argument to be boring. Too many fans act as if going in as one means he's there to the exclusion of all others but that's nonsense. He's a NYM in the HoF no matter if there's an NY on his cap on the plaque, or an LA, or no insignia at all. As for the number retirement thing: it's fine with me if they do it but it's also fine if they don't.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2016 02:18 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Frayed Knot wrote: As for the number retirement thing: it's fine with me if they do it but it's also fine if they don't. That's pretty much where I am. And as for the cap on the plaque, I hope it's a Mets cap. (Why wouldn't I? I'm a Mets fan.) But if it's not, it's not. No big deal. I've probably already made my final visit to Cooperstown anyway.

Centerfield Jan 07 2016 02:49 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

I think someday the team insignia will become a thing of the past. Players move around too much these days. And it looks like that trend will only continue. One thing that irritated me about the coverage was the speculation that with Piazza having gotten in, that the door has been opened to Clemens and Bonds, because "there have always been rumors swirling about Piazza". This is bullshit. There is a huge difference between Piazza (completely unsubstantiated speculation) and Bonds/Clemens (actual evidence that would be admissible in Court). I wish Al Leiter had been more vocal about pointing out this difference. The whole steroid thing being tied to Piazza is completely unfair. You shouldn't be looked at with suspicion simply because you look like you might be on the juice. So much has been exposed these last ten years. That Piazza has been clean each time should count for something. Look, in the end he may have used steroids. I don't know. I think that steroid use was much more rampant than most ever thought. And if he did, then he can deal with it then, but he should not have to defend against those whispers simply because he was really strong.

Nymr83 Jan 07 2016 02:50 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm certain it will happen, particularly because Piazza has been such an ally of the Wilpons all these years, careful to have never said a bad thing about the organization and outspoken in his desire to identify as a Met. Cynical me thinks this is all to some degree calculated or bought and paid for on some level, but at least it gives fans what they want. I think 'calculated' is probably more accurate, he knows and the Wilpons know that staying friendly with each other is in both their best interests as far as good PR and future business opportunities.

Centerfield Jan 07 2016 02:55 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Nymr83 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm certain it will happen, particularly because Piazza has been such an ally of the Wilpons all these years, careful to have never said a bad thing about the organization and outspoken in his desire to identify as a Met. Cynical me thinks this is all to some degree calculated or bought and paid for on some level, but at least it gives fans what they want. I think 'calculated' is probably more accurate, he knows and the Wilpons know that staying friendly with each other is in both their best interests as far as good PR and future business opportunities. This is probably right. I think the Wilpons missed an opportunity last summer to retire his number and say "fuck you" to the Hall of Fame. Some may disagree about whether the number should be retired, but most Mets fans want this, and I think it could have been a great way for the Wilpons to endear themselves a bit.

LeiterWagnerFasterStrongr Jan 07 2016 03:21 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

This pretty much settles it, doesn't it? Primary team: New York Mets

Ceetar Jan 07 2016 03:28 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

This pretty much settles it, doesn't it? Primary team: New York Mets settles that it won't be a Dodgers cap. Could still be blank.

Frayed Knot Jan 07 2016 03:28 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

And the most overlooked aspect of Piazza's election: The HoF now has its first gay member!!!!

Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2016 03:36 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Frayed Knot wrote: The HoF now has its first gay member!!!! What about this guy?

d'Kong76 Jan 07 2016 03:38 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

The Zvon's of the webnet could have some fun with one of these? I'm photoshop literate, but talent-less... [fimg=300:1apiaeak]http://baseballhall.org/sites/default/files/Blank-plaque_0.png[/fimg:1apiaeak]

dgwphotography Jan 07 2016 03:43 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

This pretty much settles it, doesn't it? Primary team: New York Mets settles that it won't be a Dodgers cap. Could still be blank. It settles nothing. Jim Bunning's primary team is listed as the Tigers, yet he wears a Phillie Cap on his plaque. Dave Winfield's primary team is listed as the Yankees, yet his plaque has him wearing a Padre cap.

MFS62 Jan 07 2016 03:45 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

This pretty much settles it, doesn't it? Primary team: New York Mets settles that it won't be a Dodgers cap. Could still be blank. I never followed up with the Hall on my idea about a hologram on the cap that changes teams based on the angle from which it is viewed. It would settle all the "which team?" crap. Later

Ceetar Jan 07 2016 03:47 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

MFS62 wrote: settles that it won't be a Dodgers cap. Could still be blank. I never followed up with the Hall on my idea about a hologram on the cap that changes teams based on the angle from which it is viewed. It would settle all the "which team?" crap. Later

The HoF (well, the writers) still accept paper ballots and by fax and don't have a record of them. They'll get to holograms sometimes around 2144.

SteveJRogers Jan 07 2016 03:48 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Centerfield wrote: Nymr83 wrote: John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: I'm certain it will happen, particularly because Piazza has been such an ally of the Wilpons all these years, careful to have never said a bad thing about the organization and outspoken in his desire to identify as a Met. Cynical me thinks this is all to some degree calculated or bought and paid for on some level, but at least it gives fans what they want. I think 'calculated' is probably more accurate, he knows and the Wilpons know that staying friendly with each other is in both their best interests as far as good PR and future business opportunities. This is probably right. I think the Wilpons missed an opportunity last summer to retire his number and say "fuck you" to the Hall of Fame. Some may disagree about whether the number should be retired, but most Mets fans want this, and I think it could have been a great way for the Wilpons to endear themselves a bit. I think that's why he went into the Met Hall a few years back. I think that was as much of a fuck you to the Hall as it was to get a late season Citi Field sellout.

Frayed Knot Jan 07 2016 06:31 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Recently, both Greg Maddux & Tony LaRussa had their HoF plaques made which showed them mostly in profile and so had no visible insignia on the cap. Others have also had the same, including Yogi.

Benjamin Grimm Jan 07 2016 06:36 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Interesting. A Yankee cap on Yogi would be the obvious choice. I wonder if the generic cap was because he was the Mets manager at the time he was inducted? Too bad he got in before the 1973 pennant could be added to his plaque.

Zvon Jan 07 2016 07:15 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

This pretty much settles it, doesn't it? Primary team: New York Mets settles that it won't be a Dodgers cap. Could still be blank. I really want it to be a Mets cap but If they go with a first responders cap, I'll be okay with that too. I'd salute the hall. I doubt they have the balls to do that though. [fimg=300]https://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/1165518.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1[/fimg]

dgwphotography Jan 07 2016 07:21 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Zvon wrote: I really want it to be a Mets cap but If they go with a first responders cap, I'll be okay with that too. I'd salute the hall. I doubt they have the balls to do that though. [fimg=300]https://cbsnewyork.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/1165518.jpg?w=640&h=360&crop=1[/fimg] That would be perfect.

Mets Willets Point Jan 07 2016 07:27 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Mike Piazza Number Retirement Night. Wednesday, September 21, 2016 versus the Atlanta Braves. Do it, Fred!

d'Kong76 Jan 07 2016 07:31 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

That's a pretty good idea! #31MP092116

Ceetar Jan 07 2016 08:29 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Officially Mets cap.

dgwphotography Jan 07 2016 08:30 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

So, thanks to Zvon's terrific suggestion, I'm now a bit disappointed that he's going in with a Mets cap...

Zvon Jan 07 2016 10:31 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

dgwphotography wrote: So, thanks to Zvon's terrific suggestion, I'm now a bit disappointed that he's going in with a Mets cap... lol, I hear ya. Damn, I should have thought of that 2 weeks ago and we could have started a campaign. Because it really would have been perfect imo. Yes, I've come to think it would trump a Mets cap and say so much without saying anything. I do suppose there will be a blurb about his post 9/11 homer on the plaque, but a first responders cap would say so much more. The players wearing those caps at that time had such a great impact on me. I thought the impact was huge til Mike hit the homer, then I realized what a HUGE impact really was. The most emotionally charged home run I have ever seen.

Zvon Jan 07 2016 10:48 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

[youtube]CfcNEE315jI[/youtube] Mikes mfc tribute card. Well,....video. It was supposed to be a .gif but I messed up.

Centerfield Jan 07 2016 10:51 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Zvon wrote: dgwphotography wrote: So, thanks to Zvon's terrific suggestion, I'm now a bit disappointed that he's going in with a Mets cap ... lol, I hear ya. Damn, I should have thought of that 2 weeks ago and we could have started a campaign. Because it really would have been perfect imo. Yes, I've come to think it would trump a Mets cap and say so much without saying anything. I do suppose there will be a blurb about his post 9/11 homer on the plaque, but a first responders cap would say so much more. The players wearing those caps at that time had such a great impact on me. I thought the impact was huge til Mike hit the homer, then I realized what a HUGE impact really was. The most emotionally charged home run I have ever seen. Perfectly said. Which is why when the CPF raises enough money to buy the Mets, the first thing we are going to do is reinstate this tradition on 9/11 and dare MLB/New Era to pull our players off the field.

Centerfield Jan 07 2016 11:00 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

All kidding aside, if I owned the Mets*, I would tell MLB and New ERA that we have no interest in wearing their 9/11 design hats. It may work for other clubs, it doesn't work for us. Since they design these hats each year, I'd tell them that the Mets hat should have no Mets content at all. They can design them after the first responders' hats. And they can have the MLB logo or New Era, or whatever, so long as they are primarily, first responder hats. We will cooperate with them to sell these hats on our website, at the ballpark, etc, so long as every cent goes to 9/11 funds or to the city agencies themselves. And I would make this very public every step of the way, so as to force their hand. And if MLB and New Era refused to comply, I'd send my ballplayers out there with the first responder hats and dare them to tag us with a forfeit. *I feel like this topic is worthy of its own thread

Zvon Jan 08 2016 03:22 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Centerfield wrote: Which is why when the CPF raises enough money to buy the Mets, the first thing we are going to do is reinstate this tradition on 9/11 and dare MLB/New Era to pull our players off the field. YES! Centerfield wrote: All kidding aside, if I owned the Mets*, I would tell MLB and New ERA that we have no interest in wearing their 9/11 design hats. It may work for other clubs, it doesn't work for us. Since they design these hats each year, I'd tell them that the Mets hat should have no Mets content at all. They can design them after the first responders' hats. And they can have the MLB logo or New Era, or whatever, so long as they are primarily, first responder hats. We will cooperate with them to sell these hats on our website, at the ballpark, etc, so long as every cent goes to 9/11 funds or to the city agencies themselves. And I would make this very public every step of the way, so as to force their hand. And if MLB and New Era refused to comply, I'd send my ballplayers out there with the first responder hats and dare them to tag us with a forfeit. I'm with you 100%. Not that it will be of any help.

Nymr83 Jan 08 2016 06:18 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

that is an idea i can get on board with!

Ceetar Jan 08 2016 02:59 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

the problem is they're not just _first responder_ hats. The damn things say NYPD and they're probably worse than the Wilpons.

TransMonk Jan 08 2016 03:02 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Mets – Willets Point wrote: Mike Piazza Number Retirement Night. Wednesday, September 21, 2016 versus the Atlanta Braves. Do it, Fred! That really would be a perfect set up!

Nymr83 Jan 08 2016 03:52 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Ceetar wrote: the problem is they're not just _first responder_ hats. The damn things say NYPD and they're probably worse than the Wilpons. God Bless the NYPD.

TransMonk Jan 08 2016 05:25 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

I saw this among the various posts about Piazza this week. One of my favorite non-game Mets moments. [youtube:3om6evi9]gJCObVZYZgM[/youtube:3om6evi9]

d'Kong76 Jan 08 2016 05:38 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

That's some YouTube gold right there!

Nymr83 Jan 08 2016 06:28 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

good find

Frayed Knot Jan 08 2016 06:48 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

What I remember about that act was that it came not just during a rain delay (obviously) but one against the Yanx. And that while some of the Yanx later admitted to seeing & enjoying Robin's act, they did so only quietly and reluctantly for fear of being seen as frivolous from above and quite emphatically added that there was no way any of them would be allowed to pull off anything like that given the atmosphere of their team.

Centerfield Jan 08 2016 07:52 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

I remember that. And despite hitting an IPHR somehow LOBin still managed to strand 2 runners.

Nymr83 Jan 08 2016 08:57 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

just got a "Get to Know Neil Walker" email from Mets.com, silly stuff but one tidbit that i thought was worth mentioning here: "who was your favorite baseball player growing up? - Ken Griffey jr." - that's how you get to 99% on the HOF ballot, this guy wasnt just a great player - he was a black guy who wore his hat backwards and was somehow seen as the coolest player by white kids from suburban Pennsylvania who probably saw at most a half dozen Mariners games a year. Go Griffey!

Zvon Jan 08 2016 10:10 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Mike Piazza visited the Empire State Building today. Yikes, thats big. I was gonna post em all. I don't think a more specific URL is available thru tumblr. [url]http://mets.tumblr.com/ I really like this shot.

themetfairy Jan 08 2016 10:12 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

You can resize that by using fimg= instead of Img when you post a photo.

Frayed Knot Jan 09 2016 02:25 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Mariners announced that they will retire Griffey's #24 after it was announced that Seattle was to be his HoF plaque insignia. His will be the first Mariner cap in the HoF as Randy Johnson's bears that of the D'Backs. This seems like an easy call as they were his draft team, he had his best years in Seattle, and he easily logged the most time there (almost 2x as much time as Cin & CHW combined) which makes him more a Mariner than Piazza is a Met. The only drawback is that he kind of whined his way out of town when forcing the trade that took him to the Reds, but I guess enough time has passed and any bad feelings are in the past. Looks like the team kept that number in mothballs since the time of his departure, breaking it out only for him again during his late career return so it's been 'unsullied' all the time during the interim.

dinosaur jesus Jan 09 2016 04:30 AM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

One more from the post-9/11 game. For some reason, all I actually remember about that game is Liza and the kick line. Sorry, Mike.

SteveJRogers Jan 09 2016 10:46 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Frayed Knot wrote: Mariners announced that they will retire Griffey's #24 after it was announced that Seattle was to be his HoF plaque insignia. His will be the first Mariner cap in the HoF as Randy Johnson's bears that of the D'Backs. This seems like an easy call as they were his draft team, he had his best years in Seattle, and he easily logged the most time there (almost 2x as much time as Cin & CHW combined) which makes him more a Mariner than Piazza is a Met. The only drawback is that he kind of whined his way out of town when forcing the trade that took him to the Reds, but I guess enough time has passed and any bad feelings are in the past. Looks like the team kept that number in mothballs since the time of his departure, breaking it out only for him again during his late career return so it's been 'unsullied' all the time during the interim. When Rickey Henderson signed there following his Met release, he requested #24 but was denied due to being Griffey's number. They tried to do the same with Randy Johnson's #51 but they capitulated to Ichiro's demands. I'd imagine #51 will get a dual retirement in Seattle when Ichiro finally hangs them up.

SteveJRogers Jan 09 2016 10:50 PM Re: WELCOME TO THE HOF MIKE PIAZZA!

Zvon wrote: I really like this shot. Seems like a rare time that he didn't have the foam on the back of his shin guards.