Mike Piazza Retires

Mike Piazza, 39, who hit more home runs than any other catcher in history, announced his retirement Tuesday after no team was willing to sign him and offer significant playing time. Piazza now may be eligible for the Hall of Fame in the same class as Barry Bonds and Sammy Sosa and pitcher Roger Clemens.

“I knew this day was coming, and over the last two years, I started to make my peace with it,” Piazza said in a statement. “It has been an amazing journey. … I walk away with no regrets.”

Piazza was a 62nd-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 who turned into a 12-time All-Star. He hit 396 of his 427 homers as a catcher during his 16-year career. He was willing to sign with a club that would provide playing time in at least half the games as a catcher or DH but received no offer, agent Dan Lozano said.