1. A Baseball Legend Who Rocked for Five Teams
Mike Piazza had a long and successful career in Major League Baseball, playing for five different teams: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Oakland Athletics. During his time with the Dodgers, he was a National League All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Award. With the Marlins, he was a World Series champion. With the Mets, he was a 12-time All-Star, won the Silver Slugger Award five times, and was inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame. With the Padres, he was a two-time All-Star. And with the Athletics, he was a two-time All-Star and won the Silver Slugger Award.
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Advertisement2. Mike Piazza, baseball's all-time great catcher, dies at 41
Mike Piazza is widely considered one of the greatest hitting catchers of all time, having been selected to the All-Star team a remarkable 12 times. His impressive career total of 427 home runs is the most ever hit by a catcher, cementing his place in baseball history.
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3. Mike Piazza Marries Playboy Playmate Alicia Rickter
On a sunny day in Miami, Florida, Mike Piazza, the former Major League Baseball catcher, married Alicia Rickter, a Playboy Playmate, at St. Jude's Catholic Church. The couple, who had been dating for several years, exchanged vows in front of family and friends on January 29, 2005. The ceremony was a beautiful affair, with Piazza looking dapper in a classic black tuxedo and Rickter stunning in a white gown. The couple celebrated their union with a reception afterwards, and have been happily married ever since.
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4. Mike Piazza, the former MLB catcher, has a unique heritage
Mike Piazza, the former Major League Baseball catcher, is a unique blend of Italian and Slovakian ancestry. His Italian roots can be traced back to his father, Vince Piazza, who was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania, to Italian immigrants. His Slovakian ancestry comes from his mother, Veronica, who was born in Slovakia and immigrated to the United States in the 1950s. Piazza's unique heritage has been a source of pride for him throughout his career, and he has often spoken of his appreciation for his Italian and Slovakian roots.
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Advertisement5. Best Hitting Catcher Ever?
Tom Glavine, a teammate of Mike Piazza's on the Mets, had nothing but praise for the legendary catcher. Glavine declared Piazza a "first-ballot Hall of Famer" and went on to say that he was "certainly the best hitting catcher of our era and arguably the best hitting catcher of all time." Piazza's career batting average of .308, 427 home runs, and 1,335 RBIs certainly back up Glavine's statement, making him one of the most successful catchers in the history of the game.
Also → Jim Thome, Legendary Power Hitter, Inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
6. Heavy Metal Fan and Baseball Star
Mike Piazza is a renowned baseball player, but he's also a fan of heavy metal music. He's even featured on the CD Stronger Than Death by Black Label Society, a heavy metal band founded by Zakk Wylde. Piazza's appearance on the album is a testament to his love of the genre, and it's a great way for metal fans to connect with the legendary athlete.
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7. A True Trailblazer
Mike Piazza was a true trailblazer in the world of sports, having won the 1994 ESPY Award for Breakthrough Athlete. This prestigious award is given to an athlete who has made a significant impact on their sport, and Piazza certainly did that. He was the first catcher to ever hit more than 40 home runs in a single season, and he was also the first catcher to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. His accomplishments on the field were truly remarkable, and his ESPY Award was a fitting recognition of his achievements.
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Advertisement8. Mike Piazza Wins Ted Williams Award
In 1997, Mike Piazza was awarded the prestigious Ted Williams Award, presented by CNN/SI and Total Baseball. This award is given to the best hitter in Major League Baseball and is named after the legendary Ted Williams, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters of all time. Piazza's win was a testament to his skill and dedication to the game, and it was a well-deserved recognition of his accomplishments.
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9. Mike Piazza Inducted into Mets Hall of Fame
On September 29, 2013, Mike Piazza was inducted into the New York Mets Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at Citi Field. Piazza, who played for the Mets from 1998 to 2005, was the first player to be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame, and his induction was celebrated by thousands of Mets fans. Piazza was a 12-time All-Star, a 10-time Silver Slugger Award winner, and the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year. He is also the all-time leader in home runs and RBIs for the Mets, and his number 31 was retired by the team in 2012.
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10. Actor, Sportscaster, and All-Around entertainer
Mike Piazza is no stranger to the world of entertainment. He has made appearances in the movie Two Weeks Notice, as well as a number of TV shows and commercials. His acting credits include roles in shows such as The King of Queens, The Drew Carey Show, and The League, as well as commercials for brands like Pepsi and Nike. Piazza has also made appearances on talk shows such as The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Late Show with David Letterman.
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