New York Mets all-time starting lineup

FUKUOKA, JAPAN - NOVEMBER 8: Jose Reyes #7 of the New York Mets hits the ball during the Aeon All Star Series Day 5 - MLB v Japan All-Stars at Fukuoka Yahoo! Japan Dome on November 8, 2006 in Fukuoka, Japan. MBL All-Star team won today's game 5-3, meaning they have won every one of the five game series. (Photo by Koichi Kamoshida/Getty Images) /

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He never delivered a World Series to the Mets, but he did something even better. After the terrorist attacks on New York City, the city needed healing. Up stepped Mike Piazza against the Atlanta Braves with a home run that ended up being the winner — a moment Mets fans will never forget.

For all the knocks about his defense, he wasn’t a terrible defensive catcher. He had a .990 fielding percentage with the Mets while only allowing 39 passed balls in 6,850 innings behind the plate.

In six full seasons as Mets catcher, he hit over .300 three times while slugging over .500 five times, and he commanded the pitching staff well. He did have trouble throwing out base runners, but that’s really the only knock on the guy.

Piazza did everything you could’ve asked of him — save for delivering a World Seires title. The Mets did win a National League pennant, though. They just ran into the buzzsaw that was the New York Yankees. All in all, Piazza was the best hitting catcher in Mets history. All due respect to “The Kid” (Gary Carter), but this team needs some offense, and Piazza can provide them with it.

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