Mets to retire number of Mike Piazza
(Photo by Todd DeFeo)
The New York Mets will retire Mike Piazza’s number during a July 30 ceremony, the team said today.
The retiring of No. 31 marks just the second Mets player whose number has been retired. Tom Seaver’s No. 41 was retired in 1988.
Earlier this month, Piazza was elected into National Baseball Hall of Fame. The 12-time All-Star finished a 16-year career with a .308 batting average, 427 home runs and 1,335 RBIs; his 396 home runs as a catcher is the most all-time.
“It is such a tremendous honor to have my number retired alongside the great Tom Seaver,” Piazza said in a statement. “My time as a Met was truly special and I want to thank Fred, Saul, Jeff and the entire organization for this incredible gesture.”
Seaver and Piazza are the only players enshrined in the Hall of Fame as Mets.
The July 30 ceremony is slated to start at 6:30 p.m. before the Mets host the Colorado Rockies at Citi Field. On July 29, all fans in attendance will receive a Mike Piazza replica jersey, and on July 31, the first 15,000 fans in attendance will receive a Mike Piazza Bobblehead
“We are truly thrilled to honor Mike by retiring his number during a weekend-long celebration recognizing his incredible career,” Mets COO Jeff Wilpon said in a statement. “His offensive prowess, ability to deliver in the clutch, and tireless work ethic helped him become one of the great catchers of all-time.”
Other New York Mets with their numbers required are managers Gil Hodges (14; retired in 1973) and Casey Stengel (37; retired in 1965).
