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Hall-time greats: Piazza, Griffey join elite
- Updated: July 24, 2016
The National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted two legends of its grand game Sunday afternoon in Cooperstown, N.Y., as Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza become the newest members of one of the most iconic groups in the world.
More than 50,000 fans and 50 Hall of Famers were on hand at Clark Sports Center to welcome Griffey and Piazza into the Hall of Fame.
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“Today’s story is the tale of two Draft picks, both of whom took the roads less taken,” Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson said. “Today they intersect in Cooperstown to be honored for excellence.”
Piazza, who went in as a Met after a 16-year career also spent with the Dodgers, Marlins, Padres and A’s, hit a record 396 of his 427 home runs while playing behind the plate. He was selected in the 62nd round of the 1988 Draft by the Dodgers and will be the lowest-drafted player ever enshrined in Cooperstown.
Griffey, the sweet-swinging outfielder who went in as a Mariner, finished his 22-year career with 630 homers and is the first No. 1 overall pick inducted into the Hall, receiving a record 99.32 percent of the vote.
Piazza, who delivered his speech first, is the second Met to ever be inducted into the Hall, joining Tom Seaver. But Piazza began his career with the Dodgers, who drafted him as a favor to Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who was with friends with Piazza’s father, Vince.
“Tommy Lasorda was always in my corner,” Piazza said. “He believed when he watched me hit at the young age of 14 that I could play Major League Baseball. Tommy, you were always there for me.”
Piazza, drafted as a first baseman, converted to catcher and debuted in 1992 before winning the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year Award and making his first of 12 All-Star appearances. He also won 10 Silver Slugger Awards and is considered by many to be the greatest offensive catcher in the game’s history.
Michael …
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