Paul Lo Duca

From The Met Wiki

Age: 37 (born April 12, 1972)

Position: Catcher

Bats: Right Throws: Right

Number: 16

Acquired: From Marlins for Gaby Hernandez and Dante Brinkley

Contract:

Lo Duca is a Brooklyn native, which helped make him a fan favorite before he even started playing. He took the #16 on his jersey because his favorit player growing up was The Italian Stallion, Lee Mazzilli (before Dwight Gooden would become even better known for that number).

Before being traded to the Mets Paul played for the Dodgers and Marlins. In LA he was considered one of the better catchers in the game and was a two-time All-Star. He led the league in runners caught stealing and was second to Jason Kendall in fewest times struck-out.

But with the Marlins he struggled, becoming one of the worst defensive catchers in the game as he allowed 93 stolen bases. He made the All-Star team in 2005 but it was not one of his better seasons.

The Mets made two big trades with the Marlins before the 2006 season. They traded Mike Jacobs and Yusmeiro Petit for Carlos Delgado and then traded Dante Brinkley and Gaby Hernandez for Lo Duca.

Paul had a career year for the Mets in 2006. He made the All-Star team and hit .318 to help the team go 97-65, tied for the best record in baseball.

In 2007 Paul was not at his best, He did get his 1,000th base hit but he also spent weeks on the DL and hit only .272.

At the end of the season Paul was one of the players named in the Mitchell Report. It was reported that he stopped taking them in 2003

After the bad season Paul signed with the Nats for one year for five million, but he did not have a good season for the Nats. He only played 46 games and batted .230 before being traded to the Marlins, his former team. He did better in his 34 at bats in Florida, hitting .294 with a .400 OPB.

Paul is retired now.