Where do I start with this one? I promise I'm not bitter but watching Piazza's Hall of Fame induction was bitter sweet.
Mike Piazza was my favorite Dodger at he time he was traded to the Marlins in May of 1998. I still remember where I was when it happened. I was still in the Navy and sat in my truck in the 32nd street Naval base outside of my ship the USS Rushmore. The Dodgers did get some good players in the trade, including Gary Sheffield. But, this is Mike Piazza were talking about.
Piazza was drafted in like the 62nd round of the Major League Baseball draft as a favor to his dad's good friend Tommy Lasorda. Once us Dodger fans got a glimpse of Piazza we were hooked. His quick swing was lethal! For the years he was in LA he averaged over 30 home runs, 100 rbi, while hitting well over .300. The reason this was a big deal was because the Dodgers did not have a history of high average power hitters. Piazza's only weakness seemed to be his inability to throw out base stealers.
I won't write much about why Piazza was traded from the Dodgers. Only to mention it was right after the short ownership of Fox took over. I do know that it crushed Dodger fans and it's the main reason I'm watching Mike Piazza go into Cooperstown as a New York Met. To all the Mets fans out there congratulations on all your successful years with Mike Piazza. His speech was impeccable. I will always love me some Mike Piazza. Although bittersweet I am nothing but happy for his achievement!
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