There was also Reggie Smith, who helped convince Piazza to continue playing when he wanted to quit in the minor leagues.
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Piazza even highlighted the differences in his induction speech, saying that “about the only thing [the two] had in common as ballplayers was two arms and two legs”.
Griffey was the first pick in 1987 and he will soon be joined by Chipper Jones as a first overall selection when the former Atlanta Braves star becomes eligible for election in 2018. And their dads were humbled beyond description. Junior called Buhner “the greatest teammate I ever had”.
There were about 50,000 people at the ceremony, but at times, each dad felt that his son was speaking directly and privately to him. “It was important for me to be able to do it with them and not just by myself”. “I got to yell at him and tell him to get a hit”. See, he beat me in a game of horse when I was 14 years old, made a jump shot, drove off in his auto and never gave me that rematch. “I’m damn proud to be a Seattle Mariner”. Not just this day.
Consider this: A total of 1,067 players have been drafted in the 62nd round or later and only 12 of them signed with the team that selected them and went on to become major-league players. Griffey Sr. was tempted to try other sports, but chose baseball because he could turn pro right away. “Mr. Peter O’Malley was a wonderful owner, was a tremendous family man who prided himself in the best possible atmosphere to play baseball in an otherwise quiet town of Vero Beach”, Piazza said.
Addressing his children, he began, “Words can’t describe how much I love you and would do anything for you”.
Don’t get the wrong idea. That makes Griffey the highest pick ever inducted. Piazza thanked his mother for giving him the gift of his Catholic faith. Mike Piazza, whose speech preceded Junior’s, also was moved to tears he didn’t fear.
Piazza was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in part because then-manager Tommy Lasorda was a close friend of Piazza’s father.
“We made it, Dad”, he said, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today. “Now it’s time to smell the roses”, said Piazza to cheers and applause.
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Griffey and Piazza gave emotional speeches as they thanked their friends, family and coaches that guided them along the way. “But more importantly, he taught me how to be a man”.
