Mike Piazza was inducted into Cooperstown on Sunday, and during his emotional speech thanked several Dodgers who helped shape his life and career.
"It truly was an honor and privilege to be drafted, signed and developed by the Los Angeles Dodgers. 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. "I will always be eternally grateful for the opportunity."
Tommy Lasorda, a longtime friend of Piazza's father Vince, both from Norristown, Pennsylvania, convinced the Dodgers to draft Piazza in the 62nd round of the 1988 draft.