Unless a pennant contender develops a sudden need for a DH in the 4 days, there’s every possibility Mike Piazza will conclude his big league career with the very out-of-it A’s next month.  The Hall of Fame bound Dream Theatre aficionado looked back on a glorious run (well, some of it) with Nick Cafardo in Sunday’s Boston Globe. (link swiped from Repoz and Baseball Think Factory)

Any regrets about anything?

MP: “That’s a good question. I really don’t. I’ve had a unique career. Getting traded from LA to Florida when Fox bought the Dodgers and that contemptuous sort of [contract] standoff we had was tough. Looking back, it built a lot of character for me. Your life sometimes is like muddy water and you have to wait for things to settle so you can see clear. Looking back, I wouldn’t trade that experience for the world. I remember Jim Leyland took me into his office and he said, ‘Let me tell you. You’re going through a tough time now but you’re going to get paid. You earned it. You worked hard for it. It’s obviously not going to be here. Just keep yourself in shape. We’re going to get you somewhere where you need to go.’ That was an experience I wouldn’t trade in.”

You know what I’m going to ask. You and Roger Clemens. Hitting you in the head in 2000. Throwing the splintered bat at you in Game 2 of the 2000 World Series. Did you guys ever patch that up?

MP: “We’re just different people, I guess. I don’t carry a resentment or anything like that. Someone made a comment to me the other day in Canada that, ‘With all your accomplishments, you’re going to be remembered for that.’ Are you that shallow that you only remember me for that? If that’s true, then you’re too stupid and I can’t help you. I don’t look back in any sort of regret. He’s who he is, I am who I am, we’re two different people, but we’re both very competitive and strong-willed. He does his own thing and he’s had a very successful career. I’m sure we can coexist in the future in some way, shape, or form.”