Mike Piazza through the years
A fresh-faced Mike Piazza talks to media members during spring training in 1998. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Mike Piazza and first baseman Eric Karros, shown in 1997, were the heart of the Dodgers’ organization for a number of years. Piazza played six-plus seasons in Los Angeles. He finished his major league career with 427 home runs and 1,335 RBIs. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
Dodgers catcher Mike Piazza shows that he still has the ball after tagging out Atlanta’s Chipper Jones in a game in September of 1997. (Anacleto Rapping / Los Angeles Times)
On May 14 of 1998, Mike Piazza was traded along with Todd Zeile to the Florida Marlins for Gary Sheffield, Jim Eisenreich, Bobby Bonilla, Charles Johnson and Manuel Barrios. He was with Florida for five games before being traded to the New York Mets. (Mary Butkus / Associated Press)
Mike Piazza played only five games for the Florida Marlins before he was traded to the New York Mets for Preston Wilson, Ed Yarnall and minor league pitcher Geoff Goetz. (Marta Lavandier / Associated Press)
Mike Piazza would play seven-plus seasons with the New York Mets, the longest tenure of his 16-year major league career. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
On Oct. 24 of 1998, Mike Piazza signed a seven-year, $91-million contract with the New York Mets. (Kevork Djansezian / Associated Press)
By the 2003 season, Mike Piazza and his big salary -- he would earn more than $120 million during his 16-year career -- were becoming the subject of trade rumors. (Gregory Bull / Associated Press)
Mike Piazza spent one season, 2006, as the San Diego Padres catcher, hitting 22 home runs and driving in 68 runs while playing in 126 games. (Nick Laham / Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Nomar Garciaparra slides safely home as Padres catcher Mike Piazza applies the tag without the ball during a game April 28, 2006. (Denis Poroy / Associated Press)
Mike Piazza spent the 2007 season with the Oakland Athletics, but an injury early in the season limited him to 83 games. He hit eight home runs and had 44 RBIs. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Mike Piazza gets high-fives from his Oakland teammates after scoring against the Angels on April 8 of last season. (Karen Tapia-Andersen / Los Angeles Times)
