Piazza began his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers where he would spend his first seven seasons, taking home the National League Rookie of the Year award in 1993 as well as the 1996 All-Star Game MVP.  He was then traded to Florida for a week before settling in New York to play for the Mets, where he spent the next eight years.  In his late 30′s, with his best years clearly behind him, Piazza played a season for San Diego before playing his final year in Oakland in 2007.

Mike Piazza is considered by many to be one of the best catchers to ever play the game.  When it came to offense and power numbers, very few catchers in history can match up with Piazza.  His 396 career home runs as a catcher is the most ever at the position and is a record that will be hard to break.

Here is a tribute to Piazza from Shea Stadium.

Notable Birthdays

Stan Mikita, NHL – Born May 20th 1940 (age 71) in Sokolce, Czechoslovakia

David Wells, MLB – Born May 20th 1963 (age 48) in Torrance, California

Austin Kearns, MLB – Born May 20th 1980 (age 31) in Lexington, Kentucky

The drive that motivates athletes is crucial to their success, it can as easily lead to their downfall. A desire to conquer different arenas outside of sport has proven wildly fruitless in all but a handful of examples. The flash and status associated with music draws many athletes like so many overpaid moths to a cliché-ridden flame. There have been a few athletes that have made the transition to critical acclaim, like Waymon Tisdale and Scott Radinsky of the punk band 10 Foot Pole, but 99 times out of 100, they end up like these nine guys. Let us delight in their failures.

9. Bronson Arroyo

Kicking things off is Bronson Arroyo, former Red Sox star and desperate rocker wannabe (Hello, cornrows!). Unfortunately, as we shall see on this list, baseball players’ musical tastes generally run sickeningly mundane. Any trip to a ballpark will result in countless Creed and Nickelback songs as at bat music, and Bronson Arroyo is this mindset personified. You wanna hear him cover a 13-year-old Goo Goo Dolls song? Neither do I, but it’s right above. The fact that he sang backup for Dropkick Murphys on “Tessie” makes me think less of Boston’s finest.

8. Mike Piazza

12-Time All Star, Major League Baseball. 0-time All Star, rock music. Generally, if a person looks like they could be a front-man for a top-selling Christian rock band, they probably won’t rock too terribly hard…or well, for that matter. In case other red flags need to be raised, the band in which he plays is 1) called the BOGMEN, and 2) comprised of other baseball players. Pass. I don’t care if Keith Moon or John Bonham were playing skins for this band, I still wouldn’t want to listen. Factor in that Piazza is keeping time for the Bogmen, and that band’s stock plummets.

Slightly redeeming Piazza are the facts that he has strong ties to Zack Wylde’s metal band, Black Label Society, and is godfather to Wylde’s son, Hendrix. But that’s just window dressing. Bad music is bad music. And this is bad music. Sadly, no clips of him keeping time are available, so you’ll just have to trust me and listen to him pontificate on classic metal in the above clip.

7. Ron Artest

I’m an equal opportunity list-maker. As such, I have no qualms putting crazy people on this list. Or reformed crazy people. The jury’s still out. In any event, Artest’s record label, Tru Warier Records, keeps cranking out the “whatever the opposite of hits” is. When your big television break is on “Lopez Tonight,” the ceiling on your career is pretty low.

That said, if Artest quit basketball or gets kicked out, he could have a very viable rap career one day, as he has many of the hallmarks of successful hip-hop artists, namely: a delusionally high self-images, erratic temper, and violent tendencies. With the state of mainstream hip-hop being what it is, he couldn’t possibly be any worse than Chingy.

6. The 1985 Chicago Bears

Of course, these guys weren’t trying to get careers as musicians. But they did cross-over, and America couldn’t escape the most derivative rap song ever concocted (probably) by the most lazy of white, drive-time DJ’s. In the above video, we are treated to horrible dances performed by finely-tuned athletic machines, William “Refrigerator” Perry cluing us into the fact that he “may be large but is no dumb cookie,” and near-lethal doses of Jim McMahon.

Again, these gentleman performed this song for the novelty of it all, but the fact that this resonates as the most haunting example of athletes crossing over into music guarantees their inclusion on this list. Their Super Bowl Victory doesn’t even come close to making up for this.

5. Deion Sanders

Vanity, thy name is “Prime Time.” Probably laying in a gold bed, Deion woke up one morning and said to himself, “Well, I’m a great football player, and I became a mediocre baseball player. By that rationale, I must have the chops to become at least a shitty rapper.” Not even close. You know that mental image you that flashes when someone reminds you that Deion Sanders had a rap career? Well that’s EXACTLY how Deion Sanders’ rap career sounds. All flash and no substance. That might fly on the gridiron, but on an album, it’s a recipe for disaster. Don’t take my word for it. Click above at your own peril to experience “Must Be the Money” off the album Prime Time. Ugh.

4. Carl Lewis

Despite having garnered 9 Olympic gold medals, there are clearly limits to his excellence, as his less-than-stellar performance singing the national anthem in 1993 demonstrated. While everyone maintains their composure fairly well during the fiasco, it’s always strange to see someone who has excelled so far in one arena fail so miserably in another. He had mentioned in previous interviews that he fancied himself a singer, so I suppose in interviews after this, he admitted that he fancied himself delusional.

3. Roy Jones Jr.

Despite being backed by a (somewhat) all-star cast on his sophomore album, the former champion of several boxing weight classes couldn’t cross over to music industry success (despite getting a mind-blowing 9,000,000 hits on YouTube). His first album dropped in 2004 with little fanfare, while the second one had very little in the way of substance, it tried to make up for it with appearances by Bun-B, Petey Pablo, Mike Jones, and Juvenile. No dice. The albums failed to receive any sort of RIAA certification despite big production budgets.

2. Kobe Bryant

Perhaps the most surprising entry, Kobe doesn’t maintain the characteristics of many of the entries on the list. He’s extremely driven on the court; a fierce competitor. So why would he want to enter an arena where he knows he won’t even be near the best? Also, he doesn’t seem to care one iota about what the public thinks of him, so street cred is out of the question.

My only theory is that he just likes rap music and wanted to see if he could do it. (Spoiler alert: He cannot). Fortunately for him, the failure of his rap exploits haven’t turned him into a hyphenated punchline like his former teammate Shaq. Here’s a tip from a white non-rapper: If you’re laying down a hip-hop track and your producer asks is you want Tyra Banks to appear on it. Just say no.

1. Shaq

Ladies and Gentlemen, our champion. After a early 90’s cameo with the Fu-Schnickens on “What’s Up Doc? (Can We Rock?)” Shaquile got the impression that he could do anything in the realm of entertainment. Steel and Kazaam drove that point home in the realm of cinema. (I don’t count Blue Chips, cause Shaq did a good job playing himself.)

However, his coup de grace on the mic would be this little ditty: “Biological Didn’t Bother,” a surprisingly heartfelt song on how he considers his stepdad to be his real father. While I won’t mock the sentiment…well, I won’t even mock the song. You can watch the video and mock for yourself. He’s a big guy,

Sports jerseys are a funny thing. Those who choose to buy them shell out $200+ for an authentic jersey of their favorite player and wear it all over town with intense pride. Then, when the player leaves town, changes his number or doesn’t pan out they cast it aside like a used condom. They literally flip the switch from love to hate in the blink of an eye. From there, the jersey inevitably finds it way to an impoverished country in Africa or your local thrift store. Since we are fairly sure most of our readers don’t reside in Africa, we’ll concentrate our focus on the ones that end up in the thrift store.

9. Partially Burned Cavs Jersey
Little did the makers of LeBron James’ Cavaliers jersey know that they would need to fortify the fabric with a flame retardant to ensure longevity. Alas, post “Decision,” that is the only thing that could have possibly saved the thousands of torched LeBron jerseys in the state of Ohio.

On a side not, government bailout money remains the only thing left to ensure longevity for the thousands of retardants residing in Cleveland.

8. Mike Piazza Florida Marlins Jersey
The love affair with Florida and Mike Piazza was clearly fleeting, as it only lasted one week before he was traded to the Mets. However, for five magical games and 18 wondrous at-bats, the hopes and dreams of South Florida hung on the performance of one Mr. Michael Joseph “Mike” Piazza. Actually, that’s not true. Florida barely noticed and a week later he landed in the Big Apple, but not before the Marlins marketing department rolled out a run of Mike Piazza jerseys…probably. And I’ll bet they’re at a thrift store near you right now! Maybe.

7. David Beckham LA Galaxy Jersey
Even the thought of writing about this makes me yawn, much like my reaction to the news that David Beckham was coming to play soccer in the USA. Better known stateside as the husband of that Spice Girls chick, Beckham came… saw… and got conquered. I think he got paid a bunch of money and probably hung out in some sweet Hollywood clubs, but that’s about all that happened. Well, now he’s gone, but those jerseys remain the only sign that he was ever even here.

6. Ryan Leaf Jersey
Ryan Leaf was a colossal dick. I mean, on draft day, these were his words: “I’m looking forward to a 15-year career, a couple of trips to the Super Bowl and a parade through downtown San Diego.” Well, it’s almost 15 years later, and he may well end up with a 15-year career selling insurance or something, he’s probably attended a couple of Super Bowls as a spectator, but who knows or cares if he has been to a parade in downtown San Diego. But on a positive note, if he ever wants to relive the old days he can get a killer discount on his old jersey at the Salvation Army.

5. Darko Milicic Jersey
The people of Detroit have had it hard lately. Not only are they stuck in Detroit, but the economic crisis hit them square between the eyes with Ivan Drago-like force. Luckily, in 2003, they were given a lesson in disappointment that would help prepare them for what was to come. His name was Darko Milicic and he was the Piston’s first round pick that year. He went second overall and after him, in order: Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. His failure was enough to make you want to flush your Milicic jersey down the toilet, but clogged pluming would only add to your problems, so you gave it to a homeless guy. But he didn’t want it either and now it’s in a downtrodden Detroit thrift store collecting dust and moths.

4. Duke Lacrosse Jersey
Most people don’t want to wear anything that loudly pronounces, “I support those who allegedly rape strippers!” Sure, there are you outliers that do, but for the most part people shy away from things like that. Even though the Duke players accused of stripper-rape (as opposed to regular rape) were exonerated, the court of public opinion isn’t very good at following up on sensational news stories and most people figure the allegations were fact (thanks Al Sharpton). To these people, Duke Lacrosse equals stripper-rape. To strippers, Duke Lacrosse jerseys equal no lap dances. Therefore, in the Carolinas, the result is a lot of Duke Lacrosse jerseys at Good Will outlets and a steady pace of lap dances in the strip clubs.

3. Rod “He Hate Me” Smart Jersey
Ah, the XFL. It’s a shame the league didn’t make it because for all of its flaws, it did bring us some solid memories like Rod “He Hate Me” Smart. According to www.all-xfl.com (who is still paying the internet hosting for that?) his nickname was chosen because he used that to get pumped up before the game. He looked at his coach and said, “Yeah, he hate me.” Then he looked at his opponents and said, “They hate me, and they are going to hate me more when I run all over them today.” Well Rod, I hate to tell you this, but we loved you. However, your Las Vegas Outlaws jersey was a bit played out after about 2003, and so it had to go. Feel free to hate us for that.

2. Jamarcus Russell Jersey
Raider fans don’t let go easily. I mean, think about it. They still root for the Raiders. They are die-hard, so you have to be especially terrible to get them to ditch your jersey. Well, Jamarcus Russell is especially terrible. One of the greatest first overall busts of all-time (remember, Ryan Leaf was the #2 overall behind Peyton Manning) Russell took an already terrible organization to new lows. Next, he will do the same with Taco Bell.

1. Randall Gay Jersey
Perhaps it was a gift from a well-meaning aunt. Maybe it was something you bought as a joke when you were wasted at the stadium. Or perhaps it was some other bizarre circumstance that led to you owning a jersey that said, in big capital letters, “GAY” on the back of it. Whatever the case, you decided that it wasn’t sending the message you wanted the world to hear when you walked into a room, so you ditched it. And now it is the problem of the thrift store as it hangs alone on the rack, awaiting a flamboyant homosexual on the lookout for an ironic outfit to wear out to “Flame,” the hot new nightclub on the outskirts of town that you are completely unaware of. But until then, it waits…and waits…and waits…

With two outs in the top of the ninth inning and the score 17-4, Prince Fielder was at the plate just looking to get out of this nightmare of a game.  Earlier in the game, Manny Ramirez was hit by a pitch, and Dodgers pitcher Guillermo Mota was out for revenge, despite what the scoreboard displayed.

His first pitch to Fielder ran right inside and plunked him on the hip.  Mota was immediately ejected and Ramon Troncoso, who was warming up in the bullpen, came in to record the final out.  Once that happened, Fielder charged down the dugout steps and headed straight for the Dodgers clubhouse:

He knew the location of the Dodgers clubhouse because it’s near a weight room used by visitors, so Fielder hustled past fans and reporters toward the door, yelling obscenities. A number of his teammates caught up with Fielder in time to usher him back to the visitor’s side. [MLB.com]

I guess it isn’t just the Dodgers fans who are getting themselves into trouble these days with opposing teams.

It would have been great to see (or at least hear) what would have happened had Fielder made it to Mota.  It may have looked something like this.  In case you don’t remember, that is the same Guillermo Mota who beaned Mike Piazza a few years back, then ran away as a crazy-eyed Piazza chased him around the park.

There is no telling whether any discipline will be handed down from the league as a result of this incident, but you would have to believe that they will look closely into the actions of the Dodgers and manager Joe Torre.  After all, what is a pitcher doing warming up in the ninth inning with two outs?  Seems like someone was getting ready in case their pitcher got ejected.

Hat Tip – [MLB.com]