Happy Trails: Mike Piazza Calls It A Career

That's it...Mike Piazza retired today.

I've been a Mike Piazza fan ever since he broke into the Majors winning the NL Rookie of the Year award in '93. I was an even bigger fan when he was the '96 All-Star MVP. And I was kinda hoping he'd kick Roger Clemens' ass in the 2000 World Series when the Rocket tossed the butt-end of Piazza's bat at him. Unfortunately, nothing really happened in that Game 2. Same goes for Mike and the Mets' hopes for a World Series title.

Although he never won the big prize, he certainly racked up his fair share of accolades.

How does this sound: The best slugging catcher in baseball history.

Pretty good ring to it. That's because it's the truth. In fact, he made me want to be a catcher growing up. Unfortunately, I couldn't hit like he could. My game was more defensive - like Charles Johnson - who Piazza was traded for in a blockbuster deal with Florida in '98.

He's leaving the game after 19 seasons in the Bigs. A 12 time All-Star, 10 time Silver Slugger, knocked out 427 career dingers, 1335 RBI's and held a .308 average with the LA Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and Oakland A's.

Any way you look at it, he was damn good.

Gonna miss ya Mike!

Sergio Garcia Wins Players: "I want to thank Tiger for not being here"

"Hi Tiger," Sergio says. "I'd like to thank you for not playing this week at Sawgrass."

"Oh, not a problem, Serrrrg," Tiger replies. "I knew you'd been struggling the last few years and falling down in the rankings. You needed this one. Besides, I was having fun in Orlando watchin' my boy Superman run the show."

"Sounds like a fun time, Tiger. I hope your knee rehab is going well. Maybe you'll be ready to come back for next year...?"

"Umm...I guess you didn't get the memo, eh Sergio? I'll be back in time to beat you guys up at Torrey Pines."

(Sergio quickly calls Tanya Harding)

"Riiight...Well maybe we can get together sometime and get some grub..."

"I never really liked you, Sergio. I hope you realize that I'm going to win the US Open by 10 shots."

"I know you will...but your wife is hot."

(Click)

Summed Up Nicely: "That is a gutless, 6"7, .200 hitting, formerly good player, joke"

You have to hear what the announcers think of the "formerly good player" known as Richie Sexson. Do you think he thought to himself, "hey, wait a second...that ball didn't come as close as I thought it did. Oh well, I'm already half way to the mound, I may as well launch my helmet at him."

By the way, you suck Richie Sexson.