Cooperstown should add Piazza

Is Mike Piazza a Hall of Famer?

Based on the last few seasons, no. As a catcher defensively, not even close. But as a hitter, there's little doubt.

Piazza, 39, who was waiting for a call to play this season, gave up officially on Tuesday, announcing his retirement. There was no teary-eyed news conference, just a statement from his agent.

“After discussing my options with my wife, family and agent, I felt it was time to start a new chapter in my life,” Piazza said. “... I knew this day was coming, and over the last two years, I started to make my peace with it. I gave it my all, and left everything on the field.”

He played 16 seasons in the majors, with a .308 batting average and 427 home runs. His 396 homers as a catcher were the most in history, more than Carlton Fisk, Johnny Bench or Yogi Berra. All three are in the Hall, and Piazza's batting average is more than 20 points better than all of them. Even in the steroid-enhanced era in which he played (but was never accused), Piazza stood out.

That's a long way for a player who was picked in the 62rd round of the 1988 draft, as a favor to then-Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda, a family friend.

Piazza played in 1,912 games, the most with the Dodgers (726) and Mets (972). He'll have an interesting decision about whose cap he'll wear on his Cooperstown plaque.

Photo: In a photo from 1997, Former manager Tommy Lasorda and catcher Mike Piazza of the Los Angeles Dodgers pose together for a picture during the retiring of Lasorda's number. Piazza was drafted in the 62nd round by the Dodgers in 1988 as a favor to Piazza's family. (Photo by Elsa Hasch /Allsport via Getty Images)