Piazza makes history with Cooperstown induction

Mike Piazza became the lowest-drafted player ever inducted into the Hall of Fame on Sunday when the former Mets slugger joined Ken Griffey Jr. as the newest members enshrined in Cooperstown.

Here's a brief look at his 16-year career:

Full name: Michael Joseph Piazza
Position: Catcher
Born: Sept. 4, 1968, in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Height: 6-3, Weight: 200 pounds | Bats: Right, Throws: Right

Related: Piazza's Hall of Fame career by the numbers

Had baseball connections from the start. His father, Vince, grew up in the same neighborhood as Hall of Fame manager Tommy Lasorda. ... Attended the University of Miami and Miami-Dade Community College and was taken in the 62nd round of 1988 amateur draft by the Dodgers on the recommendation of Lasorda. ... A first baseman in college, Piazza switched to catcher. ... After briefly quitting the game, established himself as a top prospect in the minor leagues by hitting 52 home runs combined during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. ... Called up to the Dodgers at the end of the 1992 season and went 3 for 3 in debut.

• In 16 major league seasons hit 427 home runs, including a major league-record 396 as a catcher, drove in 1,335 runs, fourth all-time among catchers, had 2,127 hits, and posted a .308 career batting average.

• Named to 12 All-Star Games and was named 1996 All-Star Game MVP. Captured 10 Silver Slugger Awards at catcher and finished in the top five of NL MVP voting four times, including back-to-back second-place finishes in 1996 and 1997.

Los Angeles Dodgers, 1992-1998

• In 1993, had 35 home runs, 112 RBIs and .318 batting average, and was unanimous selection as NL Rookie of the Year.

• From 1993-97, averaged better than 33 homers and 105 RBIs and a .337 batting average per season despite shortened seasons due to the 1994-95 strike.

• Had 201 hits in 1997 to become the first player whose primary position was catcher to reach 200 hits in a single season.

• Led league in putouts four times and assists twice.

• Traded to Florida Marlins with Todd Zeile on May 14, 1998, for five players, including Bobby Bonilla, Jim Eisenreich, Charles Johnson and Gary Sheffield, and eight days later was dealt to the New York Mets for Geoff Goetz, Preston Wilson and Ed Yarnall.

New York Mets, 1998-2005

• Had 32 homers, 111 RBIs and a .328 batting average in 1998 and led Mets to playoff berths in both 1999 and 2000, advancing to the World Series in 2000 where he had two homers and four RBIs in a losing cause.

• Topped the 30-homer and 90-RBI marks in both 2001 and 2002.

• Hit memorable two-run homer in first game at Shea Stadium after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.

• Granted free agency in October 2005, played one season apiece with Padres and A's, and retired following 2007 season.

• Piazza's 63.7 total WAR accumulated over his 16-year career with the Dodgers, Marlins, Mets, Padres, and Athletics ranks 95th all time and second only to Ivan Rodriguez among catchers, per Fangraphs.