The last player taken by the Dodgers in the 1988 draft, Mike Piazza, is the best athlete to wear the number 31. Although it is apparent that his talent wasn't forseen by the major leagues, Mike proved himself to be extremely proficient as a hitter. He is the best hitting catcher in major league history. Mike is the all-time leader in home runs by a catcher at 415 (as of 8/22/06,) and holds a .309 career batting average. Although Mike Piazza was well known as the MVP of the New York Mets, he has his most outstanding year with the LA Dodgers. In 1997, Mike belted a gaudy .362 to go along with 40 homers and 124 RBI. (photo courtesy of baseballXXL.de)
Piazza
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Greg Maddux is a guaranteed future hall of famer. The same cannot be said of Piazza. That is ridiculous.
ReplyDeletei am the biggest mike piazza fan there is. i would say maddux was 'better' because he was the full package. but piazza is a guaranteed hall of famer, and it is not ridiculous at all to say piazza was better.
DeleteGreg Maddux, Jim Taylor, Fergie Jenkins all rank above the piazza man.
ReplyDeleteReggie Miller
ReplyDeleteMike Piazza? You kidding me? Reggie Miller! All Time leader in 3 pointers!
ReplyDeleteMike Piazza??????? Are you guys serious??? Who edits these columns???? Where is the love for Reggie Miller? Piazza was a flash in the pan!
ReplyDeletePiazza can't hit what Maddux is pitching. Maddux is still the man right now.
ReplyDeletei think that shawn marion the "matrix" should win
ReplyDeletePiazza is the man. How can you say hes not a hall of famer. 400 homeruns from the catcher position. Maddux is great as well but its by no means rediculous. The best offensive catcher of all time.
ReplyDeletePiazza will be a Hall of Famer. Greg Maddux would be ahead of Jenkins. Close call between Maddux and Piazza for me. I'd probably go with Greg.
ReplyDeleteJonny Gomes!
ReplyDeleteMaddux led the league in pitching categories multiple times, and he had 18 gold gloves. I realize the premium put on catcher's offensive stats, but that only holds when considering a good defensive catcher. Piazza only threw out 23% of base runners...not good. Maddux gets easily the nod.
ReplyDeleteMiller
ReplyDeleteHow is Maddux not even mentioned? Piazza is a hall of famer, but Maddux is in the hall of fame's hall of fame.
ReplyDeleteREGGIE MILLER!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreg Maddux pure an simple.
ReplyDelete