When a superstar arrives in New York, he is expected to be special. They carry the burden of a city’s dreams, the weight of a megacontract, the glow of a savior narrative. But for Mike Piazza, a Hall of Fame catcher, his whirlwind arrival with the Mets in 1998 was different. In a recent, candid look-back, the iconic slugger admitted that he didn’t come to the ballpark feeling the kind of force that would transform a franchise. He just felt like another guy, a crucial mindset that would help forge a new era in Queens.

In a video posted on the Mets’ official YouTube channel, Piazza recalled his very first game. “So first game as a Met: shut‑out against the Brewers, Al Leiter, and that start of a beautiful friendship,” remarked host Jay Korwitz. As Piazza went into the conversation, he made a candid admission about the start of his journey as a Met. “I didn’t really feel special. I mean, I just came right in, felt like one of the guys… Everyone knew I was expected to have a big role, but it wasn’t like I felt special,” revealed Piazza. This humility was key to fitting into a veteran locker room.

Piazza then gave a window into that team’s unique culture. He explained that you simply couldn’t act special around that group because “they really love to bust chops.” This playful, tough-love environment was the glue for a team he described as “a real bridge between like the old school and the new school.” His willingness to embrace the teasing instead of expecting reverence allowed him to connect with everyone, from seasoned vets to rising stars, instantly.

His journey to Flushing was a weeklong, chaotic saga. Piazza was traded to the Florida Marlins on May 15, 1998, in a surprising move after contract re-negotiations with the Dodgers fell through. But his stay was brief. The Marlins, rebuilding in full “fire sale” mode, dealt him to the Mets just eight days later for a package of prospects. Piazza was “dumbstruck” by the reception at LaGuardia Airport, where a crowd was waiting to welcome him.

That welcome extended to the field in his debut on May 23, 1998. In front of a roaring Shea Stadium crowd that was 14,000 larger than average, Piazza was quick to make a statement. He caught Al Leiter’s complete-game, 3-0 shutout victory against the Brewers. He also came up big at the plate, blasting a key RBI double. For a new catcher to guide his pitcher to a shutout in his very first game was an ideal symbol of the catcher’s competence and chemistry, ready for a big role.

But that incredible first game was just the beginning of his immediate impact.

Unpacking Mike Piazza’s impact and defensive game

Piazza’s arrival electrified the team. The Mets immediately ripped off a winning streak in his first seven games in uniform. During that red-hot stretch, the new catcher was simply unstoppable. He posted a staggering batting line of .419/.455/.484, instantly transforming the heart of the lineup. It was clear from the very first week that a new sheriff was in town.

The superstar brought life back into the entire franchise and the fanbase. For the rest of that 1998 season, Piazza scorched .348 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs in only 109 games for the Mets. His headline-grabbing playing directly to the box office, as attendance at Shea Stadium nearly doubled. The Mets rewarded his performance by signing him to a then-record seven-year, $91 million contract, cementing him as the team’s cornerstone.

Piazza’s defense was often the target of critics, mostly because of a below-average caught-stealing percentage. He led the league in stolen bases allowed several times in his career. He also had some difficulty early with passed balls, though this was partly due to catching knuckleballer Tom Candiotti. This public reputation, though, overlooked a higher set of values behind the plate.

Upon closer inspection, it reveals a defensive masterclass — one his pitchers appreciated. Advanced metrics showed Piazza was “exceptionally good at improving his pitchers’ performances.” He led the league in putouts four times and assists twice, and in 2000, he had a career .997 fielding percentage. He was a student of the game, which is why a difficult-to-catch pitcher like Leiter thrived with him. As Leiter himself said, “I don’t know where the ball’s going,” yet Piazza consistently did a “fine job” handling him.

Piazza’s legacy in New York was nothing short of legendary. He took the Mets to consecutive playoff berths and a World Series berth in 2000. He left the franchise third in team history in home runs (220) and second in OPS (.915). When he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, he wore a Mets cap on his plaque as a final statement of his connection with the team. What’s your most iconic memory of Mike Piazza’s Mets career?