Mike Piazza to Have Jersey Retired Following Phantoms Game

This Saturday, one of Phoenixville’s favorite sons is coming home.

12-time MLB All-Star Mike Piazza, who played for the Phantoms in 1985 and 1986, will be on hand to have his jersey number retired in a ceremony following that morning’s game at Doc Kennedy field against Perkiomen Valley.

 “He’ll be talking with the kids beforehand, and at noon we’ll have a ceremony,” high school director of student activities and athletics Anthony Palladino told Patch.

After Saturday, never again will a Phantom wear number “13,” which makes it only one of many things Piazza did that are effectively unrepeatable.

After being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 1,390th pick in the 62nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft—and then only as a favor to Piazza’s godfather, then-Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda—the Phoenixville-native more than warranted the selection.

Before ending his five-team, 16-year career after the 2007 season, Piazza hit more home runs than any catcher in major league history. He also collected ten Silver Slugger Awards—given annually to the best hitter at each position in each league—won the 1993 National League Rookie of the Year award, and was voted MVP of the 1996 All-Star Game.

He will be eligible for the MLB Hall of Fame in 2013.