Mike Piazza said he appreciates the 329 Hall of Fame votes he received, he’s “really proud” of his career and recognizes not everyone gets inducted in his first year of eligibility.
Piazza was on the Cooperstown ballot for the first time and received the fourth-most votes of anyone this year, tallying 57.8 percent (75 is needed for induction).
The Mets legend has the best OPS ever for a catcher (.922) and posted that while playing in two pitchers’ parks — Shea Stadium and Dodger Stadium.
“Definitely a little disappointed [at the Hall of Fame outcome], but I was really honored [by] a lot of support, too,” Piazza told The Post yesterday in midtown Manhattan.
“People said some great things. It’s a positive. You know it’s a process.
“There’s been a lot of really great players that haven’t gotten in on the first time. I’m really proud of my career. We’ll just see where it goes from here.”
Of all players in their first year on the ballot, Piazza trailed only Craig Biggio (68.2 percent) in the voting. In Hall of Fame history, 16 other players have tallied between 50-70 percent in their first year of eligibility, and all have eventually been inducted.
Piazza is aware.
“They were telling me some numbers, that there’s a lot of guys that got over 50 percent their first time,” said Piazza, who is on a book tour promoting his autobiography “Long Shot.”
“I realize it’s a process and there’s been some really great players that were not on the first [time through]. And there’s a lot of great players coming in the future too, so it’s going to get more interesting.”