Mike Piazza to be inducted into Mets Hall of Fame

Former New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza will be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame later this year, the team announced today.

Piazza, often regarded as the best home run-hitting catcher of all-time, played for the Mets from 1998 until 2005, belting 220 of his 427 career home runs while playing in the Big Apple.

A seven-time All-Star while with Mets, Piazza ranks first in franchise history with a .542 slugging percentage and also ranks third with 655 RBI. He will always be remembered in New York for his confrontation with Roger Clemens in 2000 and for the dramatic home run he belted in the eighth inning in a win over the Atlanta Braves during the first sporting event held in New York City following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

“Mike Piazza reinvigorated our franchise when we acquired him in May, 1998,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. “Mike is one of the greatest players in our history and we are thrilled to induct him into the Mets Hall of Fame.”

Piazza will be inducted on Sept. 29 before the Mets’ game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He will be the 27th member of the Mets Hall of Fame; closer John Franco was the last addition to the Mets Hall of Fame when he was inducted in 2012.

Piazza, who retired after the 1007 season, could have been elected into the baseball Hall of Fame earlier this year. However, members of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America decided not to induct anyone this year.