Mike Piazza's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Mike Piazza. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Mike Piazza is a retired American professional baseball catcher who played 16 seasons in MLB (1992-2007). He is a Hall of Famer known primarily for his time with the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers, though he also played for the Marlins, Padres, and Athletics. Piazza was a 12-time All-Star and 10-time Silver Slugger Award winner. Offensively, he was exceptional for a catcher, hitting 427 career home runs, with a record 396 as a catcher. He also recorded a .308 batting average and 1,335 RBIs. He was slated to manage Italy's national baseball team in 2020 and 2021 but was unable to due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1948: Defensive Metrics Report on Catchers Begins

Since 1948, a report ranked Mike Piazza third among all catchers since 1948 in improving the performances of his pitchers.

1988: Defensive Metrics Data Collection

Since 1988, Mike Piazza's pitch framing ranks seventh-best among all catchers based on new defensive metrics.

1993: Named NL Rookie of the Year

In 1993, Mike Piazza won the NL Rookie of the Year Award after hitting .318, slugging 35 home runs, and driving in 112 RBI. He was also selected to the 1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

1996: Finished second in NL MVP voting

In 1996, Mike Piazza hit .336 with 36 home runs and 105 RBI, finishing second in NL MVP voting, behind Ken Caminiti.

1997: Best season with Dodgers

In 1997, Mike Piazza had his best season with the Dodgers, hitting .362, with 40 home runs, 124 RBI, an on-base percentage of .431, and a slugging percentage of .638. He also became the first catcher in MLB history to get 200 hits in a season.

1997: Piazza's best year as a Dodger

In 1997, Mike Piazza had his best year as a Dodger, batting .362, hitting 40 home runs, and had 124 RBI, leading to a runner-up finish in voting for the NL Most Valuable Player Award.

1998: Traded to the Mets

In 1998, the Marlins traded Mike Piazza to the New York Mets. Piazza finished the season batting .328 with 32 home runs and 111 RBI, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit more than 30 home runs in a season while playing for three different franchises.

2000: Led Mets to NL Pennant

In 2000, Mike Piazza led the Mets to an NL pennant and a World Series appearance in the 2000 Subway Series.

2000: Set home run record

In 2000, Mike Piazza set the record for most home runs in a season without ever hitting more than one in a game, passing a mark previously set by Rogers Hornsby in 1929.

2000: Highest fielding percentage

In 2000, Mike Piazza's .997 fielding percentage was the highest among NL catchers.

September 21, 2001: Iconic home run after 9/11

On September 21, 2001, Mike Piazza hit a game-winning home run in the first professional baseball game played in New York following the 9/11 attacks.

May 5, 2004: Most home runs by a catcher

On May 5, 2004, Mike Piazza surpassed Carlton Fisk for most home runs by a catcher with his 352nd.

2008: Defensive Metrics Report on Piazza's Pitching Improvement

In 2008, a report ranked Mike Piazza third among all catchers since 1948 in improving the performances of his pitchers.

2012: Piazza coaches for Italian Baseball Academy

In 2012, Mike Piazza was an instructor for the Italian Baseball Academy when it won the European Baseball Championship.

January 9, 2013: Piazza fails to be elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

On January 9, 2013, Mike Piazza failed to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 57.8% of the votes. He stated that he would address performance-enhancing drug rumors in his book.

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September 29, 2013: Piazza inducted into New York Mets Hall of Fame

On September 29, 2013, Mike Piazza was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.

2013: Inducted into NY Mets Hall of Fame

In 2013, Mike Piazza was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame.

2015: Piazza fails to make Hall of Fame in second ballot

In 2015, Mike Piazza again failed to make the Hall of Fame, receiving 69.9% of the votes needed, 28 votes short of the mark.

January 6, 2016: Piazza elected to Baseball Hall of Fame

On January 6, 2016, Mike Piazza was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving 83% of the vote.

July 30, 2016: Mets retire Piazza's number

On July 30, 2016, the New York Mets retired Mike Piazza's uniform number, 31, in a ceremony prior to a game against the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field.