Eulogy for Mike Piazza' Career

As Mike Piazza's career winds down (he's hitting .231/.315/.397 as of today), I thought I'd look back at one of the greatest non-MVP seasons of all time - Piazza's 1997, when he lost the MVP race to Larry Walker (who ran away with the award). Despite Piazza's shaky defense he was far and away the best player in the league, and the voters just got mesmerized by Walker's Coors-inflated numbers. Let's put Piazza's numbers in perspective - below are six seasons: Albert Pujols' first five seasons, and Piazza's 1997. Can you pick out which one is Piazza?

Season	H	HR	RBI	AVG	OBP	SLG
1	194	37	130	.329	.403	.610
2	185	34	127	.314	.394	.561
3	212	43	124	.359	.439	.667
4	196	46	123	.331	.415	.657
5	201	40	124	.362	.431	.638
6	195	41	117	.330	.430	.609

If you can't, then my point is made. Don't forget that Piazza did this in Dodger Stadium. And he's a catcher. Imagine what he would have hit in Colorado. A guy hit like Albert Pujols while playing the hardest position in the field and hitting in the best pitcher's park in the league and still couldn't win the MVP. I guess it's like Ted Williams winning the Triple Crown twice and not winning the MVP either year.