Piazza retires; next stop Hall of Fame

Mike Piazza announced his retirement Tuesday, thanking in particular the fans of the New York Mets, who he called "the greatest fans in the world."

Thanks, Mike. You're pretty good yourself.

Piazza is a certain first-ballot Hall of Famer, not only the best hitting catcher who ever lived, but perhaps one of the best right-handed hitters of all time. A 62-round draft pick -- chosen by the Dodgers as a favor for Tommy Lasorda, who was friends with Piazza's father -- Piazza made himself into a catcher, and while his arm was criticized, he was a solid backstop who was respected by pitchers for his game-calling.

But his bat was his trademark and we will never forget his powerful swing, which drove balls to the opposite field and hit for average as well as power. Of course, we hope he will go into the Hall of Fame as a Met. While his best individual seasons statistically came as a Dodger -- and while the Dodgers were the ones who gave him a chance -- he spent more time in New York and helped take the Mets to the World Series in 2000.

And who will ever forget the home run he hit against the Braves in the first game after the 9/11 attacks? At that point, Mike Piazza WAS New York.

And so it has come to pass that Piazza and Roger Clemens (providing the Rocket doesn't play again) will be eligible for the Hall at the same time, and won't it be sweet when Piazza gets in on the first ballot while Clemens twists in the wind.

Book your Cooperstown hotel rooms now.