Piazza hopes Cespedes drives in runs like he collects cars

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. - Newly elected Hall of Famer - and car dealership owner - Mike Piazza has some advice for New York Mets star center fielder Yoenis Cespedes.

''I see he's been working on his collection of cars,'' Piazza said, referring to the parade of custom vehicles Cespedes drove to Tradition Field this past week. ''I don't care what you drive as long as you drive in runs. That's the key.''

Piazza, who hit the most home runs of any catcher in history, was in Mets camp as a guest instructor Sunday.

Piazza played with the Mets from 1998-2005 and helped the team reach the World Series in 2000. He says he can relate to Cespedes, who hit 17 home runs and drove in 44 runs during the final two months last season after being acquired from the Detroit Tigers at the trading deadline.

''He's going to be expected to do a lot and I have a little bit of experience knowing that pressure,'' Piazza said.

Piazza was traded from the Marlins to the Mets in May 1998. He hit .348 with 23 homers and 76 RBIs after joining New York that season.

''I hope he's able to discipline himself and really refine his strike zone and realize when pitchers are not pitching to him, he's got to take his walks. I think you saw that in the World Series a little bit. He just got too anxious and tried to do too much. He was just swinging, trying to hit the ball out of the stadium.''

''I think he's going to be fine. I think he's so talented. The key for him is not to try to do too much when he's expected to do much. If he gets a hit and a walk in a game, that's (a) .333 (batting average). That's the way I look at the game. Let the guys around you do their job. He's a smart hitter,'' he said.