Athletes - Paul Lo Duca

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	Athletes - Paul Lo Duca

Paul Anthony Lo Duca (born April 12, 1972 in Brooklyn, New York) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the New York Mets. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2004) and Florida Marlins (2004-2005).

Lo Duca broke onto the scene with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2001 with a great season, which led many to compare him to former Dodger Mike Piazza. While he has not matched that season since – let alone lived up to Piazza's Hall of Fame credentials – Lo Duca has logged some of the best statistics for catchers and been named to three All-Star Games. In 2002, he was one of the best contact hitters in the majors – only Jason Kendall struck out less often and no one had a better percentage of swinging strikes. In 2003, Lo Duca's 25-game hitting streak was the second longest in Los Angeles Dodgers history and, defensively, he ranked first in the National League in throwing out baserunners trying to steal. In 2004, he led National League catchers in runs batted in despite a mid-season trade. While Lo Duca has been relatively healthy, playing in 125 games or more the last five seasons, his numbers generally decline after the All-Star break.

Lo Duca was traded from Los Angeles to the Florida Marlins as part of a six-player deal at the 2004 trading deadline. (A rumored subsequent three-team trade involving Lo Duca that would have sent All-Star pitcher Randy Johnson to the Los Angeles Dodgers never panned out as a result of Johnson's reluctance to waive his off no-trade clause). After the 2005 season, the Marlins traded Lo Duca to the Mets for two minor league prospects as part of a Marlins "market correction" where most of their large salaries were traded away in preparation for a future relocation of the franchise out of Florida. In an eight-year career, Lo Duca has a .285 batting average with 66 home runs and 363 RBI in 772 games. As with many catchers, he has a tendency to start the season strong before his catching duties seemingly wear him out around the All-Star break.

Fact

At the start of each game, Lo Duca writes the initials "LL" in the dirt behind home plate, in memory of his mother Luci.

Highlights

3-time All-Star (2003-05)

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Athletes - Paul Lo Duca

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