Piazza HOF debate

Am I the only one shocked to hear that Mike Piazza might be wearing orange and blue into the Hall of Fame in five years?

He had some great years as a member of the Mets, but given his background and the fact that he owes his entire career to Tommy LaSorda, I never thought for one second that he would go in as a Met instead of a Dodger.

I didn't get to see the press conference, nor have I read anything out of L.A. papers, but the national wire stories I've read indicate that Piazza focused more on his time spent in New York when looking back on his career.

The numbers are close--he hit 209 homers as a Dodger and 220 as a Met. He had six all-star appearances as a Dodger, six as a Met. 674 rbis with L.A., 655 with New York. Five silver slugger awards with the Dodgers, four with the Mets, and one in 1998 when he played for the Dodgers, Mets, and Marlins.

Since all the numbers are this close, I just feel like it should come down to his choice--and I'm just shocked that he would choose New York. Nothing against the Mets, since that's the cap I'm wearing into the Hall of Fame, but as I said before, Piazza owes his career to the man who bleeds Dodger Blue.

I can't name another 62nd round draft pick who made a name for themselves quite like Mike Piazza has.

(by the way, I leave for Europe tomorrow, so hopefully Mr. Clark and Mr. Barrows will hold down the fort while I'm gone. I'll be back June 9 with a greater understanding for Manchester United, Chelsea, and the rest of the futbolers!)