The New York Mets endured a tremendous 2015 MLB season and the franchise received even more good news when former catcher Mike Piazza was inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier this month. The team will now honor him during the 2016 season.
Piazza was have his No. 31 retired on July 30 as part of "Mike Piazza Weekend" at Citi Field from July 29-31 when the Mets host the Colorado Rockies, according to the team's Twitter account. The on-field ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET that Saturday.
We will retire @MikePiazza31's #31 on 7/30 as part of a weekend-long celebration 7/29-31: https://t.co/1ynuBAiP65 pic.twitter.com/iHbCSU8YPs
— New York Mets (@Mets) January 25, 2016
"It is such a tremendous honor to have my number retired alongside the great Tom Seaver," Piazza said in a team press release. "My time as a Met was truly special and I want to thank Fred, Saul, Jeff and the entire organization for this incredible gesture."
Piazza will be inducted into the Hall of Fame as a Met, which he wasted no time announcing shortly after the Baseball Writers Association of America revealed the official HOF voting results. Although Piazza began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and remained with the team for seven years, his eight-year stint with the Mets was also prolific and he said the fans "really brought me into their family."
Piazza, known as the greatest hitting catcher in MLB history, batted .296/.373/.542 with 532 runs scored, 220 home runs and 655 RBI in 972 games with New York and helped them to an NL Pennant in 2000, which was the franchise's first since the 1986 season. He was voted an All-Star for six of those seasons with the Mets, took home four Silver Slugger awards and finished top-10 in the MVP voting twice.
"We are truly thrilled to honor Mike by retiring his number during a weekend-long celebration recognizing his incredible career," said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon. "His offensive prowess, ability to deliver in the clutch, and tireless work ethic helped him become one of the great catchers of all-time."
The 47-year-old's number retirement ceremony will mark his first public appearance at Citi Field since he threw out the first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series back in October.
