Die Hard Sports Fan

Archive for the ‘Mike Piazza’

Wednesday’s Mets News: Fred Wilpon’s Statement on Piazza

May 21, 2008 By: Keith Category: Atlanta Braves, Fred Wilpon, MLB, Mike Piazza, NL East, New York Mets, Pedro Martinez, Ryan Church, SNY, Willie Randolph Comments Off

I’m trying to remain positive with my boys from Queens. The Mets swept the Yankees which was fun, but Willie keeps talking and the media is over-doing the situation. It seems like each writer for each newspaper had to write their own article on Willie. That’s too much. Willie keeps making it worse though.

On the day that Mike Piazza announced his retirement, the Mets got swept by the Braves in a double header. Fred Wilpon released this statement on Piazza,

On behalf of everyone at the Mets we salute Mike for his Hall of Fame caliber accomplishments in our game and with our team. Mike electrified New York City and energized our franchise after we acquired him in 1998. He was an integral part of our 2000 National League Championship club. Mike played the game with passion, class and heart — symbolic of our city. We wish Mike, his wife, Alicia, and daughter Nicoletta all health and happiness as he begins a new chapter in his life.

The Mets need to come out with some fight and even up this series. They already had a bad record against the Braves this year, and it just got even worse yesterday.

Mets.com:

Pedro leaves Mets to be with ill father - Pedro Martinez was supposed to throw in a bullpen session on Wednesday, but he “returned to the Dominican Republic on Wednesday morning after receiving word that the condition of Pablo Martinez had worsened. The Mets had no sense of how the latest development would affect the schedule for Martinez’s return to active duty.”

Mets need Mylanta in Atlanta with loss - Marty Noble summarized last night’s game between the Mets and the Braves.

Mets look to muster support for Pelfrey - Marty Noble put together a pregame analysis for tonight’s game between the Mets and the Braves.

Dazed Church heads to hospital for tests - “Mets right fielder Ryan Church was hospitalized on Tuesday night after suffering a mild concussion in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 6-2 loss to the Braves.” I saw the collission between Church and Escobar, but I wasn’t sure if he suffered a concussion. That’s very unfortunate because he suffered one in Spring Training also. Hopefully he recovers relatively quickly.

Mets remember Piazza as fearsome - Former teammates and opponents recall the newly retired Mike Piazza’s forceful swing

Piazza made many proud over career - Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire reflects on Mike Piazza’s Hall of Fame career.

Newsday:

Pedro returns to Dominican to be with ill father

Mets swept by Braves; Church injured again - David Lennon summarized both games of yesterday’s day/night double header between the Mets and the Braves.

Randolph doesn’t need to be old-school fiery

SNY baffled by Willie’s comments

Randolph not adjusting well to his own city

Randolph backtracks from comments about racism

Piazza made Mets matter while Yankees owned N.Y.

Mets’ Randolph not laid back about being passive

New York Daily News:

Pedro Martinez headed to Dominican Republic to be with ailing father

Ryan Church gets bell rung, Mets swept by Braves in doubleheader - Adam Rubin summarized both game of the Mets-Braves day/night double header.

Willie Randolph manages to keep heat on self

Willie Randolph tries to back off race charge

New York Post:

DOUBLE WHAMMY - Bart Hubbuch summarized both of yesterday’s Mets-Braves games too.

NOTHING BUT PRAISE FOR RETIRING PIAZZA

WILLIE RACES TO RETREAT

CHURCH SUFFERS CONCUSSION

MIKE HANGS UP SPIKES

New York Times:

Injury on Final Play Caps the Mets’ Misery - Ray Glier wrote up a game recap for each of yesterday’s Mets-Braves games.

Randolph’s Comments Add Another Distraction

The Star-Ledger:

Game 43: Mets at Braves - Jeremy Cothran provided the lineup for tonight’s Mets-Braves game. However, I believe it is Game 44.

A couple of news items

Mets live day-night nightmare in Atlanta

Randolph scrambles on quotes

Piazza made the Mets legit - Dan Graziano put together a great Piazza article.

Piazza calls career ‘amazing journey’

Ryan Church taken to hospital

Final: Braves 6, Mets 2

Tuesday’s Mets News: Mike Piazza Retires

May 20, 2008 By: Keith Category: Abraham Nunez, Atlanta Braves, Claudio Vargas, MLB, Mike Piazza, NL East, New York Mets, Pedro Martinez, Shea Stadium, Willie Randolph Comments Off

A statement from Mike Piazza, via his agency:

After 19 wonderful years, I have come to the decision to officially retire from Major League Baseball. At this point in my career and after discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it is time to start a new chapter in my life. It has been an amazing journey and everything I have, I owe to God, for without His help, none of this would be possible. He blessed me with the ability to play the greatest game in the world and it has been a dream come true.

In June of this year, it will be 20 years ago when the Los Angeles Dodgers organization selected me in the 62nd round of the amateur draft and I’m sure neither of us saw this coming.I would like to start off by thanking Peter O’Malley and the Dodger organization for giving me the opportunity 20 years ago…you gave me birth to a life that never in my wildest dreams did I think was possible.

I’d like to thank Fred Wilpon, Nelson Doubleday and the New York Mets organization for giving me an opportunity to fulfill yet another dream, playing in a World Series. Steve Phillips, for not just bringing me to New York, but for having the confidence and vision to keep me in a Met uniform long-term. Within the eight years I spent in New York, I was able to take a different look at the game of baseball…I wasn’t just a young kid that was wet behind the ears anymore - I was learning from other veteran guys like Johnny Franco, who taught me how to deal with the pressures of playing in New York and Al Leiter who knew what it took to win a World Championship. That knowledge is what helped me play for as long as I have and enjoy the career that I had. I’d like to thank New York Mets clubhouse manager, Charlie Samuels for always being on the same page and one step ahead of me.

Kevin Towers and Mr. Wolff are two gentlemen that I wish to thank for allowing me to keep the sun from setting just a little while longer. To all of my teammates with whom I shared the field of battle, thanks for the countless memories.

To the managers along the way that brought out the best in me - Tommy Lasorda, Bobby Valentine, Art Howe…and in limited time together, Jim Leyland, Willie Randolph, Bruce Bochy and Bob Geren - it was a pleasure playing for all of you. I’d also like to thank all of the major and minor league staffs that played a part in the development of my career - I couldn’t have done it without all of you.

To the media - I thank you for the overall fairness of your reporting throughout my career, although erroneous at times, I think we had a pretty good relationship over the years and some of you I’ll never forget.

I’d like to thank my agent, Dan Lozano and everyone else behind the scenes at the Beverly Hills Sports Council for taking care of me my entire career. Danny is like a brother to me and without his guidance and patience, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

To my family who I love so much…mom and dad, you always believed in me, sometimes more than I believed in myself…you were always there with love and support. To my brothers, for always being in my corner, no matter what. Being able to share the joys of being a big leaguer with you guys over all of these years made my career, our career…and I don’t think it would have been the same any other way.

My beautiful wife Alicia. These last few years were as new for you as they were for me. Through the different cities and the birth of our amazing daughter, Nicoletta, I am eternally grateful to have you by my side. The thought of what the future has in store for us, brings a smile to my face because I can’t wait to start the newest chapter of both our lives, together. You truly are an angel and I am blessed to have you as my wife. I love you.

Last but certainly not least, I can’t say goodbye without thanking the fans. I can’t recall a time in my career where I didn’t feel embraced by all of you. Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland and Miami - whether it was at home or on the road, you were all so supportive over the years. But I have to say that my time with the Mets wouldn’t have been the same without the greatest fans in the world. One of the hardest moments of my career, was walking off the field at Shea Stadium and saying goodbye. My relationship with you made my time in New York the happiest of my career and for that, I will always be grateful.

So today, 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. For 19 years, I gave it my all and left everything on the field.

God bless and thanks for a wonderful ride.

Die Hard Mets Fan would like that thank Mike Piazza for coming to New York and making the Mets matter again after a long drought of really bad baseball. We got to witness hundreds of wonderful moments, Playoff runs, and a trip to the World Series. The one thing I’ve always wished Piazza did was punch Clemens in the damn face when he threw the bat at him. Other than that, he had a great career and was one of the best hitters that I’ve ever seen. Wright kind of reminds me of Piazza, but the numbers aren’t as good (Wright came up through the system though). We would like to wish No. 31 a very successful future, and we hope to see him soon at Shea Stadium/Citi Field.

Mets.com:

Glavine haunts Mets in opener - Marty Noble summarized today’s game between the Mets and the Braves.

Randolph explains comments

Piazza retires after 16 seasons - Tom Singer reported that Mike Piazza officially announced his retirement today.

Pedro talks of early retirement

Jackson, Teufel represent Mets at Draft

Martinez could be back next week - Marty Noble informed us of Pedro Martinez’s progress and when he is expected to return.

Glavine faces Mets for first time since ‘02

Mets ink Nunez to Minor League deal - Marty Noble reported that the Mets signed Abraham Nunez yesterday to a Minor League contract and assigned him to their Triple-A New Orleans affiliate.

Newsday:

Are Mets busting loose or just teasing us again?

Willie on the hot seat — again (with updates)

Mets, Yankees records are right on numbers - After 1/4 through the season, Ken Davidoff tells us if the Mets and the Yankees are on track or not.

Mets’ Randolph not laid back about being passive

THIS DAY AT THE OLD BALLPARK - Newsday lets us know what happened at Shea Stadium and at Yankee Stadium on May 20 of a year in the past.

New York Daily News:

Tom Glavine pitches Braves past Mets - The AP summarized today’s Mets-Braves game.

Mike Piazza retires from baseball

Pedro Martinez mulls retirement at end of season to tend to ailing father

After Subway Series, Mets’ express Atlanta-bound

New York Post:

SOUTHERN DISCOMFORT

PEDRO CLOSER

GLAV GOES FACE-TO-FACE WITH EX-MATES

VARGAS GRATEFUL FOR NEW START