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• Mike Piazza is a former Major League Baseball player who is considered by many to be the best hitting catcher in history. Piazza hit more home runs than any other player at the position.

  After starting his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Piazza played for the Florida Marlins, New York Mets and San Diego Padres.

  Piazza was drafted by the Dodgers in 1988, making his Major League debut in 1992. He went on to win Rookie of the Year honors in 1993. After six full seasons with the Dodgers, he was traded to the Florida Marlins in what was considered to be one of the worst deals in Dodgers history. Piazza was traded a week later to the Mets, where he helped lead the team to the World Series in 2000.

  Piazza remained a free agent at the start of the 2008 season. Rumors swirled that the Cincinnati Reds could be interested in signing the former All-Star catcher but he went unsigned for the 2008 season.

  On May 20, 2008, Piazza announced his retirement via an email sent to media mailboxes.

• Fast Facts

  1. Born: September 4, 1968
  2. Hometown: Norristwon, PA
  3. Bats: Right
  4. Throws: Right
  5. All-Star selections: 12
  6. Silver Slugger Awards: 10
  7. All time leader in HR's by catcher
  8. 1996 MLB All-Star Game MVP

• Retirement

  On Tuesday, May 20, 2008, Mike Piazza retired with no fanfare and no public appearances. Piazza merely penned an email and sent it to various media outlets.

• Quotes

  "After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life."

  "I walk away with no regrets. I knew this day was coming and, over the last two years, I started to make my peace with it."

  "I gave it my all, and left everything on the field."

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Oakland Athletics | Los Angeles Dodgers | New York Mets | Florida Marlins | Gary Sheffield | San Diego Padres | Tommy Lasorda | Todd Zeile | Bobby Bonilla | Roger Clemens | Carlton Fisk | September 11th

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