MET NOTES
MONTREAL – Many columnists and talk-show mavens have criticized Mike Piazza for coveting Carlton Fisk’s home-run record for catchers. Some feel that stubbornness is getting in the way of Piazza’s transition to first base.
Piazza is not alone, though, and Art Howe’s opinion counts.
“I want to see him get the record,” Howe said yesterday. “He deserves the opportunity to get that. That’s the least I can do for him.”
While that sounds like a bombshell and a huge roadblock in Piazza’s eventual full-time move to first, it isn’t. The reality is that Piazza can’t relearn first overnight. In all probability, he won’t play a majority of games there in 2004.
Asked if he feels the 34-year-old Piazza is on his last legs as a catcher, Howe responded, “No, no, definitely not.”
Howe’s reason for getting Piazza some action at first is fairly simple.
“If he learns it, his bat will be in the lineup on a much more consistent basis,” Howe said. “I want to see him in the three hole as often as possible.”
Piazza took batting practice for the second straight day and began pulling the ball, jacking two BP homers. Then he donned his full catching gear and caught Steve Trachsel’s 17-minute bullpen session. He felt good after.
Before he strained his right groin on May 16, he closed within eight homers of Fisk, who hit 351 behind the plate. Piazza thinks it will be very tough to hit nine homers in the remainder of his season.
“I didn’t want it to be this sort of mark I kind of insisted on or anything like that,” he said. “I just thought after 10 years, it would be nice to get.
“On the same note, it’s not like I was obsessed with it or anything. I don’t think it goes up there with Henry Aaron or anything at all.”
Media hysteria aside, the common-sense process will involve Piazza practicing and maybe playing games at first during his rehab assignment. It’s unknown whether he’ll play first for the Mets this season.
Vance Wilson, in a 0-for-22 slump, was back in the lineup last night vs. Expos. Timo Perez (left calf) was available to pinch-hit. Raul Gonzalez was in right field, as Roger Cedeno is in a 0-for-11 skid.
Pitching matchups this weekend against Cincinnati: Al Leiter (8-5, 5.47) opposes RHP Danny Graves (4-10, 5.59) tonight. Aaron Heilman (1-2, 7.18) faces RHP Juan Acevedo (1-0, 0.00) tomorrow night. Steve Trachsel (9-6, 4.55) duels RHP Paul Wilson (5-8, 5.31) Sunday.
