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MLB Hall of Fame: 5 best moments of Mike Piazza’s career

By Brad Weiss

FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 24: Mike Piazza of the New York Mets bats during Game Three of the World Series against the New York Yankees on October 24, 2000 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images)
FLUSHING, NY - OCTOBER 24: Mike Piazza of the New York Mets bats during Game Three of the World Series against the New York Yankees on October 24, 2000 at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York. (Photo by Sporting News via Getty Images) /
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UNITED STATES – MAY 05: Mikie Piazza takes off his hat to the New York Mets’ faithful after smacking his 352nd home run in the first inning at Shea Stadium. The blast put him ahead of Carlton Fisk for career homers by a catcher. The Mets went on to defeat the San Francisco Giants, 8-2., (Photo by Keith Torrie/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
UNITED STATES – MAY 05: Mikie Piazza takes off his hat to the New York Mets’ faithful after smacking his 352nd home run in the first inning at Shea Stadium. The blast put him ahead of Carlton Fisk for career homers by a catcher. The Mets went on to defeat the San Francisco Giants, 8-2., (Photo by Keith Torrie/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) /

2. Piazza passes Fisk

During his Rookie of the Year season, Piazza blasted 35 home runs, and from that first season on, it appeared he would be the first player to seriously challenge Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk’s record for most home runs as a catcher.

Fisk played 24 seasons in the Major Leagues, redefining the catcher position during his time with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. In 2000, Fisk was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, getting 79.6% of the vote on his second ballot.

Piazza hit his historic home run on May 5, 2004, blasting a first-inning shot off of San Francisco Giants starter Jerome Williams. It was his 352nd home run as a catcher, and it helped lead the Mets to an 8-2 victory.

In total, Piazza hit 396 of his 427 career home runs as a catcher, which is a record that may never be touched.

Throughout his career, Piazza had six seasons where he hit .300 or better, blasted 30 or more home runs, and drove in 100 or more runs. In the history of baseball, all the other catchers who ever played the game have only done that nine times combined. Amazingly, he passed Fisk’s home run total in half the amount of time as it took Fisk to set the record.

Next: 1. Piazza's home run heals NYC

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