This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
Not since the days of Yogi Berra and Roy Campanella was there a catcher that could mash the ball like Mike Piazza, but you wouldn't have thought it when his professional career began. Piazza was drafted by the Dodgers in the 62nd round as a favor to his father. Mike was manager Tommy Lasorda's godson and his father was Lasorda's friend, so he decided to help out a buddy by trying to convert Mike into a catcher. In retrospect, it turned out well. Piazza won the National League Rookie of the Year Award by smashing 35 homers with a .318 batting average; and he only got better from there! In his 16-year career, the 1,027th player selected in the 1998 MLB draft hit 427 homers with a career .308 batting average and earned a ticket to the Hall of Fame. This Mizuno Pro Limited stick was used by Mike Piazza in the 1990s and measures 34 1/2" and 32 ounces with "MP" stamped on the knob and written over in black marker with Piazza's number "31." Heavy game use is evident with visible ball marks, rack marks and pine tar with a barely detectable crack in the handle. In all respects, a marvelous Piazza gamer! LOA from John Taube - PSA/DNA with a grade of 9.5.