NEW YORK, Jan. 26 (UPI) -- Mike Piazza will join Tom Seaver as the only players to have their New York Mets jersey's retired when he has his No. 31 celebrated Saturday, July 30 at Citi Field.
Piazza, 47, played eight seasons for the Mets. He smacked 427 home runs, 1,335 RBI and 344 doubles, while hitting .308 in 16 seasons for the Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics. The legendary catcher won the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year award and was selected to 12 All-Star Games.
Earlier this year, Piazza was voted into the 2016 MLB Hall of Fame class, garnering 83 percent of the vote. Piazza won 10 consecutive Silver Slugger Awards from 1993 to 2002.
"It is such a tremendous honor to have my number retired alongside the great Tom Seaver," Piazza told the Mets. "My time as a Met was truly special and I want to thank Fred, Jeff and the entire organization for this incredible gesture."
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, 2016The Mets made the announcement in a Monday press release. The Mets will have a replica jersey giveaway, where all fans in attendance receive a Piazza jersey, at 7:10 p.m. Friday, July 29. The team will have his pre-game on-field retirement ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30.
Struggling to find words! Thank you @Mets Fred & Jeff, The Loyalty and Love of #Mets fans cannot be equaled. INCREDIBLE honor! #Retire31
— Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) January 25, 2016"Without a doubt Mike Piazza was one of the top hitting catchers in the history of the game," Seaver told the Mets. "For Mike to compile the stats he did while catching is amazing. His election to Cooperstown is most deserving."
Get to @CitiField on Sun, 7/31 when the 1st 15k fans will get a @MikePiazza31 bobblehead: https://t.co/sdZgp3rqF0 pic.twitter.com/tQSPgZyu7N
Advertisement— New York Mets (@Mets) January 26, 2016The weekend closes out by giving the first 15,000 fans to attend a 1:10 p.m. game on July 31 a Mike Piazza bobblehead.
"We are really thrilled that Mike Piazza has taken his rightful place among the other greats in Cooperstown," COO Jeff Wilpon told the Mets. "Mike's offensive prowess, ability to deliver in the clutch, and tireless work ethic helped him become one of the great catchers of all-time. On behalf of Mets Ownership, front office staff and our fans, we congratulate Mike, his wife Alicia, his parents, Vince and Veronica, and the entire Piazza family."
