The National Baseball Hall of Fame inducted two legends of its grand game Sunday afternoon in Cooperstown, N.Y., as Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza become the newest members of one of the most iconic groups in the world.More than 50,000 fans and 50 Hall of Famers were on hand at Clark Sports Center to welcome Griffey and Piazza into the Hall of Fame.
"Today's story is the tale of two Draft picks, both of whom took the roads less taken," Hall of Fame president Jeff Idelson said. "Today they intersect in Cooperstown to be honored for excellence."
Piazza, who went in as a Met after a 16-year career also spent with the Dodgers, Marlins, Padres and A's, hit a record 396 of his 427 home runs while playing behind the plate. He was selected in the 62nd round of the 1988 Draft by the Dodgers and will be the lowest-drafted player ever enshrined in Cooperstown.
Griffey, the sweet-swinging outfielder who went in as a Mariner, finished his 22-year career with 630 homers and is the first No. 1 overall pick inducted into the Hall, receiving a record 99.32 percent of the vote.
Piazza, who delivered his speech first, is the second Met to ever be inducted into the Hall, joining Tom Seaver. But Piazza began his career with the Dodgers, who drafted him as a favor to Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who was with friends with Piazza's father, Vince.
"Tommy Lasorda was always in my corner," Piazza said. "He believed when he watched me hit at the young age of 14 that I could play Major League Baseball. Tommy, you were always there for me."
Piazza, drafted as a first baseman, converted to catcher and debuted in 1992 before winning the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year Award and making his first of 12 All-Star appearances. He also won 10 Silver Slugger Awards and is considered by many to be the greatest offensive catcher in the game's history.
"The only way I ever thought I would be here with you is if I bought a ticket," Piazza told his fellow Hall of Famers. "It is a testament to our great country and game that dreams do come true. You just have to be willing to pay the price."
Piazza was traded to the Marlins in 1998, with whom he played five games before being dealt to the Mets. He spent eight seasons in New York -- his longest tenure with any team -- becoming an important part of the franchise that advanced to the 2000 Subway Series against the Yankees, losing in the Fall Classic.
He finished his career spending one season each in San Diego and Oakland.
"How can I put into words my thanks, love and appreciation for New York Mets fans?" Piazza said as the throng of Mets fans erupted. "You have given me the greatest gift and have graciously taken me into your family. Looking out today at the incredible sea of blue and orange brings me back to the greatest time of my life.
"The eight years we spent together went by way too fast. The thing I miss most is making you cheer. No fans rocked the house like Mets fans. You are passionate, loyal, intelligent and love this great game. To be the second Met to join the Hall of Fame brings me great joy."
While Piazza was drafted as a favor and thought of as a long shot, Griffey had greatness written all over him from the beginning.
By being the son of a Major Leaguer, the No. 1 pick of the 1987 Draft and with the nickname "The Natural," Griffey seemingly was destined for Sunday's induction.
He debuted as a 19-year-old in 1989, finishing third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Shortly thereafter, he took the league, a nation and the world by storm.
He was named to 11 straight All-Star teams, won 10 Gold Glove Awards and seven Silver Sluggers during his first 12 Major League seasons, also winning the 1997 AL Most Valuable Player Award. He did it all with a smile, grace and backward hat that earned him the nickname "The Kid" and endeared him to fans of all ages.
"I stand up here humbled and overwhelmed," an emotional Griffey said. "The last couple months have been a blur -- from the call from the Hall to the calls from the Hall of Famers sitting behind me. I can't tell you how that feels, but I can tell you I was more nervous talking to them than I am now."
Griffey requested a trade before the 2000 season and was dealt to Cincinnati, where he went to high school, in order to be closer to his Florida home.
"I got to play this game for 22 years and I wouldn't trade it away for anything," Griffey said. "I got to play for the Reds. I got to play for the same team as my dad and got to run around the same outfield."
Griffey was named to the All-Star team and hit 40 home runs in his first season in Cincinnati, but injuries took their toll as he reached the 30-homer plateau only twice more in his career, which included a brief stint with the White Sox before ending with the Mariners, whose cap he bears on his plaque.
"From the day I got drafted, to my first at bat in the Kingdome, to the '95 playoffs, to my return with the Reds, to my return to the Mariners, Seattle, Washington, has been a big part of my life," Griffey said. "There's so many great things I could talk about, but we'd be here all day. Out of my 22 years, I've learned that only one team will treat you the best and that's your first team. I'm damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner."
Cash Kruth /MLB.com
Piazza, who went in as a Met after a 16-year career also spent with the Dodgers, Marlins, Padres and A's, hit a record 396 of his 427 home runs while playing behind the plate. He was selected in the 62nd round of the 1988 Draft by the Dodgers and will be the lowest-drafted player ever enshrined in Cooperstown.
Griffey, the sweet-swinging outfielder who went in as a Mariner, finished his 22-year career with 630 homers and is the first No. 1 overall pick inducted into the Hall, receiving a record 99.32 percent of the vote.
Piazza, who delivered his speech first, is the second Met to ever be inducted into the Hall, joining Tom Seaver. But Piazza began his career with the Dodgers, who drafted him as a favor to Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, who was with friends with Piazza's father, Vince.
"Tommy Lasorda was always in my corner," Piazza said. "He believed when he watched me hit at the young age of 14 that I could play Major League Baseball. Tommy, you were always there for me."
Piazza, drafted as a first baseman, converted to catcher and debuted in 1992 before winning the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year Award and making his first of 12 All-Star appearances. He also won 10 Silver Slugger Awards and is considered by many to be the greatest offensive catcher in the game's history.
"The only way I ever thought I would be here with you is if I bought a ticket," Piazza told his fellow Hall of Famers. "It is a testament to our great country and game that dreams do come true. You just have to be willing to pay the price."
Piazza was traded to the Marlins in 1998, with whom he played five games before being dealt to the Mets. He spent eight seasons in New York -- his longest tenure with any team -- becoming an important part of the franchise that advanced to the 2000 Subway Series against the Yankees, losing in the Fall Classic.
He finished his career spending one season each in San Diego and Oakland.
"How can I put into words my thanks, love and appreciation for New York Mets fans?" Piazza said as the throng of Mets fans erupted. "You have given me the greatest gift and have graciously taken me into your family. Looking out today at the incredible sea of blue and orange brings me back to the greatest time of my life.
"The eight years we spent together went by way too fast. The thing I miss most is making you cheer. No fans rocked the house like Mets fans. You are passionate, loyal, intelligent and love this great game. To be the second Met to join the Hall of Fame brings me great joy."
While Piazza was drafted as a favor and thought of as a long shot, Griffey had greatness written all over him from the beginning.
By being the son of a Major Leaguer, the No. 1 pick of the 1987 Draft and with the nickname "The Natural," Griffey seemingly was destined for Sunday's induction.
He debuted as a 19-year-old in 1989, finishing third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting. Shortly thereafter, he took the league, a nation and the world by storm.
He was named to 11 straight All-Star teams, won 10 Gold Glove Awards and seven Silver Sluggers during his first 12 Major League seasons, also winning the 1997 AL Most Valuable Player Award. He did it all with a smile, grace and backward hat that earned him the nickname "The Kid" and endeared him to fans of all ages.
"I stand up here humbled and overwhelmed," an emotional Griffey said. "The last couple months have been a blur -- from the call from the Hall to the calls from the Hall of Famers sitting behind me. I can't tell you how that feels, but I can tell you I was more nervous talking to them than I am now."
Griffey requested a trade before the 2000 season and was dealt to Cincinnati, where he went to high school, in order to be closer to his Florida home.
"I got to play this game for 22 years and I wouldn't trade it away for anything," Griffey said. "I got to play for the Reds. I got to play for the same team as my dad and got to run around the same outfield."
Griffey was named to the All-Star team and hit 40 home runs in his first season in Cincinnati, but injuries took their toll as he reached the 30-homer plateau only twice more in his career, which included a brief stint with the White Sox before ending with the Mariners, whose cap he bears on his plaque.
"From the day I got drafted, to my first at bat in the Kingdome, to the '95 playoffs, to my return with the Reds, to my return to the Mariners, Seattle, Washington, has been a big part of my life," Griffey said. "There's so many great things I could talk about, but we'd be here all day. Out of my 22 years, I've learned that only one team will treat you the best and that's your first team. I'm damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner."
Cash Kruth /MLB.com
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