The Mack Attack - 3-21-8 - Piazza version

By John Mackin Ade
Posted Wednesday, May 21, 2008

May 21, 2008

Mets News

From MVN: - So far, the Mets’ pitching staff has been a stronger unit than the offense. The pitching staff currently has an ERA+ of 106 (meaning that the team’s ERA has been six percent better than the league average once you adjust for the home ballpark), while the team OPS+ is 101 (meaning that the offense as a whole is putting up an OPS just one percent better than the league average once home park is taken into account). Curiously, there is not much of a difference between what the team is hitting at Shea (.250/.342/.392) and on the road (.266/.338/.403), but the Mets are doing a significantly better job of scoring runs on the road (5.45 runs per game on the road, the second-best rate in the National League) than at home (4.52 runs per game). One possible explanation is that the Mets have hit .236/.357/.318 with runners in scoring position at home (and the numbers for situations such as runners in scoring position with two outs and a man on third with less than two outs are even uglier) and .289/.370/.437 with runners in scoring position on the road (what they’ve done with a runner on third and less than two outs is particularly awesome). I’m trying to think of what might cause a team to struggle with runners in scoring position at home while doing quite well in such situations on the road (hint: it rhymes with “flu”).

After a solid rehab outing on Monday, Mets pitcher Pedro Martinez said he will consider retiring after the season to be with his father, who is battling a form of brain cancer.

Mack’s Facts:

“The Future Mets – By Position: 1B

First Base is simply one of the critical positions that must be addressed in 2008. We can safely assume that Carlos Delgado will not be around, thus there will be a considerable effort to sign a free agent like ‘Mark Tex’ in the off-season; however, is there anyone ready to make the jump in case the few great ones that will be available go elsewhere?

At AAA, Michael Abreu (.234/.283/.317/.601, 2 HRs, 12 RBIs in 43 games) is simply nothing more than 2008 insurance in case Delgado is done. Abrue will turn 30 (or 45, depending on who you believe) in January and he simply is not going to ever be the starting first baseman for the Mets. Mike Carp (.338/.389/.537/.926 in 136 at bats) has great AA numbers, but most of them have been accomplished as a designated hitter. He also has been dinged up recently and it seems to me that Nick Evans (.291/.356/.557/.913, 8HRs, 30 RBIs in 42 games) has taken over as the primary Mets 1B prospect (Josh Peterson has become primarily a 3Bman this year). I would have played one of these guys in place of Abreu this year, but what do I know? At Lucy, it’s Lucas Duda (.285/.366/.407/.773) who has played just about every game at first there, and, though he did cool off after a tremendous April, he’s still putting up great numbers, despite his shortcomings in the field. Sort-of prospect Jose Jimenez (.236/.311/.431) has sort-off lost his job to Joaquin Rodrequez (.298/.344/.368/.713), who is 24 years old. Dan Hernandez is currently assigned to the extended camp.

Observation: I have never been high on any of these guys, and frankly, I don’t see any of them making the professional grade. Carp seems to be following the Brett Harper route, of someday either being traded of dropped due to his all-bat, no field reputation. Sad. He really can hit the ball, but so could Harper. There’s a big difference from hitting at AA and the MLB and I expect the Mets to be doing everything they can in the off-season to improve their position here via trade or fre agency.

Mike Piazza:

Led National League in grounded into double play with 27 in 1999.

Led Mets in runs with 81 in 2001.

Led Mets in hits with 151 in 2001.

Led Mets in doubles with 29 in 2001.

Led Mets in home runs with 23 in 1998, with 40 in 1999, with 38 in 2000, with 36 in 2001 and with 33 in 2002.

Led Mets in runs batted in with 124 in 1999, with 113 in 2000, with 94 in 2001 and with 98 in 2002.

Led Mets in batting average with .324 in 2000 and with .300 in 2001.

Led Mets in slugging percentage with .575 in 1999, with .614 in 2000, with .573 in 2001 and with .544 in 2002.

Led Mets in on base percentage with .384 in 2001 and with .362 in 2004.

Led Mets in on base plus slugging with .936 in 1999, with 1.012 in 2000, with .957 in 2001, with .903 in 2002 and with .806 in 2004.

Led Mets in walks with 68 in 2004.

Led Mets in intentional walks with 19 in 2001 and with 14 in 2004.

Led Mets in total bases with 296 in 2000, with 288 in 2001 and with 260 in 2002.

1998 Season

It was a season of upheaval for Mike Piazza. Coming off the best offensive year by a catcher in baseball history, Piazza was in the last season of his contract with the Dodgers. When negotiations for an extension stalled, he was sent to the Marlins in a blockbuster seven- player trade. One week later, he was sent to the Mets for three prospects. Piazza went through a difficult adjustment period in New York, but won over the fans with a red-hot second half. Despite all of the year's challenges, Piazza still finished fourth in the National League batting race.

Hitting

Piazza has tremendous power to all fields and hits the ball hard as consistently as anyone in the game. Few batters are more dangerous on the first pitch. For someone with grade-A power, he shows remarkable bat control and remains deadly even with two strikes. He hits the ball to deep right field more frequently than almost any other righthanded hitter. The best way to attack him is with splitters down and away.

Baserunning & Defense

Piazza has taken a lot of heat for his defense, which hasn't been entirely justified. He does have a weak, erratic arm and opponents tend to run on him a lot, but his ability to work with pitchers has gone largely unappreciated. He's one of the slower players in the majors. He runs hard but very conservatively.

 

1996

Leading NL vote-getter for the Mid-summer classic ... Voted the All-Star game's MVP going 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs including a second inning HR off Charles Nagy ... Finished second in National League MVP voting behind Ken Caminit (Piazza has finished in the top 10 in MVP voting in each of his first four seasons) ... Became first player to hit 20 or more home runs in each of his first four seasons ... Hit three home runs a knocked in six runs in five at-bats on June 29 at Colorado ... Had a career-high 19-game hitting streak (Aug. 22 - Sept. 12) hitting .418 with three home runs ... Selected to the Associated Press All-Star team for the fourth consecutive year ... Earned a second consecutive Silver Slugger award ... Joined Gary Sheffield, Mo Vaughn and Elex Rodriguez as recipients of the Ted Williams' Greatest Hitters award.

 

1995

 

Was placed on the disabled list from May 11 to June 4 with a torn ligament in his left thumb ... Was named to his third consecutive All-Star team ... He and Hideo Nomo were the starting battery and Mike was 1-for-4 with the game-tying home run ... Had a team-high 49 multi-hit games and added 24 multi-RBI performances ... Had a career-high 16-game hitting streak July 29-August 16 and was 28-for-66 (.424) with 11 runs, two doubles, two home runs and 10 RBI ... Became the first Dodger in franchise history to collect 20 or more home runs in his first three seasons ... Was named National League Player of the Week May 2-7 for the fifth time in his career ... Was named National Player of the Week August 21-27 for the sixth time in his career ... Received Player of the Month recognition for August, batting an even .400 (46-for-115) with seven doubles, nine home runs and 25 RBI in 28 games.

 

1994

Suffered no let-down following Rookie of the Year campaign in 1993 ... Led the team in batting, homers, and RBI ... Hit first career grand slam June 6, off Florida's Mark Gardner ... Hit homers in four straight games from June 25-28 ... Became only the second player in Dodger history to hit 20 homers in first two seasons ... Was named National League co-Player of the Month after hitting .386 with six homers and 24 RBI during May ... First L.A. All-Star starter since 1990 ... Second straight All-Star appearance ... Hit .418 with a runner on third ... Homered against every NL team except Chicago and Pittsburgh.

 

1993

Became the ninth unanimous Rookie of the Year selection in major league history after a great first season ... Finished with a .318 average, 35 home runs and 112 RBI, all of which rank him among the leaders in the Los Angeles single-season record books ... His RBI total established a Dodger rookie record and represented the third-highest total ever posted by an NL rookie ... His home run total set a new Los Angeles single-season record (not to mention a rookie record) and ranked sixth in the NL in `93 ... Shattered the Brooklyn/ L.A. franchise rookie record for home runs, which had been 25, by Del Bissonette in 1928 ... Set a new major league record for most home runs by a rookie catcher ... Tied for third in the NL in slugging percentage (.561), was fourth in RBI, tied for fourth in total bases (307) and seventh in batting average ... Represented the Dodgers at the All-Star Game, becoming the first L.A. rookie to be selected to the team since Steve Sax in 1982 ... Threw out seven consecutive runners attempting to steal April 13-18 ... Nailed 58 of 166 would-be base thieves on the year (35 percent, third-best in the NL) ... Led all major league catchers with the 58 throw-outs, setting a franchise record in that category ... Went 4-for-4 against Pittsburgh Aug. 24 ... Named Southern California Male Athlete of the Year by the Amateur Athletic Foundation ... Named Dodger MVP ... Named Rookie of the Year by Baseball America and The Sporting News, was selected Major League All-Star catcher by AP and UPI, and won the Silver Slugger Award.

 

1992

Began the season at the AA level (with San Antonio) and finished it in the majors ... Made his major league debut as L.A.'s starting catcher Sept. 1 at Chicago and went 3-for-3, including his first big league hit, a double off Mike Harkey ... First major league home run was a three-run shot off Steve Reed of San Francisco Sept. 12.

 

Statement

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.

Mets Contracts:

Oliver Perez lhp - 1 year (2008) - won in arbitration 2/22/08 ($6.5M-$4.725M) - 1 year/$2.325M (2007) - re-signed 1/07 (avoided arbitration) - $0.15M in performance bonuses: $12,500 each for 15 & 25 GS - $25,000 each for 155, 165, 175, 185 & 195 IP - 1 year/$1.9M (2006), re-signed 1/06 (avoided arbitration) 1 year/$0.381M (2005), renewed 3/05 - 1 year/$0.321M (2004) - 1 year/$0.305M (2003), 3/03 agent: Mike Fischlin, Scott Boras Corp. ML service: 5.034

B-Mets

Going into Tuesday’s game, Anderson Machado has a five game hit streak.

Lucy:

Lucy beat Dunedin, 7-4, behind the pitching of Eric Niesen (6.0 IP, 2 ER) and the relief of Ryan Coultas (1.2 IP, 0 ER, 3.25). But it was the bat of Chris Fournier (3 run homer) that did the trick. Players have 2 hits included Luis Rivera (.245), Lucas Duda (.288), and D. J. Wabick (.270).

Gnats:

The Savannah Sand Gnats, in conjunction with Chain Baseball and South Eastern Athletics, will host the inaugural Coastal All-Star Game on Memorial Day weekend at Historic Grayson Stadium. The games will feature the best high school talent from in and around the Coastal Empire area. The weekend showcase will feature three teams that will all play each other one time with two games coming on Saturday, May 24 and one on Sunday, May 25. Rosters for each squad will be comprised of outgoing high school seniors, current juniors and a few sophomores. The first game will be played at noon on Saturday with the second game to follow at 4 p.m. On Sunday, the contest will begin at 2 p.m. College, university and Major League Baseball scouts have all been invited to the event. Tickets for all three games will be available for purchase prior to the first game on Saturday. One $10 ticket will gain you admission to all three games over the weekend. For those wishing to just come on Sunday, tickets will be $5.

Ex-Mets:

Lastings Milledge collected 2 doubles and 2 RBI as the Nationals blanked the Phillies, 4-0.

Yorvit Torrealba hit a 2-run double in the 6th inning to rally the Rockies past the Giants, 4-3

This Day In Mets History:

1969 - The Mets are at .500 at the latest point of the season in team history. The 18-18 record is reached as Tom Seaver blanks the Braves at Atlanta Stadium, 5-0.

2005 - As Dae-Sung Koo stands in against Randy Johnson, Mike Piazza confides to David Wright in the dugout, "If he gets a hit, I'll donate a million dollars to charity." The Korean reliever batting lefty off the Yankee fire-balling southpaw, who was afraid to stand in the batter box in a previous game, promptly hits a 91-mph fastball to the wall in center for a double causing the Mets catcher to say he will be making a significant donation to a charity over the next 20 years.

And lastly:

"I do point out that the reserve clause...has given baseball a continuity of action that has developed better competition...than would have been otherwise possible." – Ford Frick, Commissioner of Baseball (1951-65)