Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, October 4, 1993 TAG: 9310040120
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES LENGTH: Medium
"I can't describe it, it's just been a dream season, the way I've swung the bat this year," said Piazza, who finished with 35 homers, 112 RBI, a .318 batting average and 81 runs scored. "I'm just as happy or more happy about the way I've caught. I don't think it's any less important."
The Dodgers decided not to re-sign Mike Scioscia after last season, leaving the catching to Piazza or Carlos Hernandez, who was considered the favorite in spring training.
But Piazza won the job with a big camp and wound up appearing in 149 games. He was the Dodgers' only representative in the All-Star Game.
"Mike had a fantastic year, an unbelievable year," said Tommy Lasorda, LA's manager. "When you look at the numbers that he put up, the records have showed that he's one of six catchers in the history of baseball that ever hit 30 home runs, drove in 100 runs and hit .300."
Piazza hit his first homer Sunday off Dave Burba leading off the fifth inning to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. The homer gave him 34, the most hit by a Dodger since the team moved to Los Angeles from Brooklyn in 1958.
Piazza's second homer was a three-run shot off Dave Righetti in the eighth to extend LA's lead to 10-1.
"I'm proud to have driven in the runs and really proud to have hit .300," he said. "I'm not going to get too many leg hits."
Piazza, 25, was asked about the possibility of a position change sometime during his career, which might ultimately be beneficial because of the physical strain of catching.
He acknowledged it might be difficult to continue hitting as well as he did if he stays behind the plate, but added, "People have mentioned that to me more than I've liked it this year. I love to catch. I've worked hard to be a catcher. In a weird way, catching helps my hitting. That's my job.
"Who knows? Maybe someday. I hope it's 10 years from now. I'd love to catch in this league for 10 years."
Piazza was a 62nd-round draft choice by the Dodgers in 1988. His father, Vince, grew up with Lasorda in Norristown, Pa., and the two have been close ever since.
"I try to put it into perspective, but it's so hard," the elder Piazza said of his son's stunning season. "So much has been accomplished with so little experience. Can I say it's every father's dream? Of course it is."
by CNB