In 1998, in one of the best trades in franchise history—if not the best—the Mets acquired Mike Piazza from Florida for outfielder Preston Wilson and pitcher Ed Yarnell.
My favorite Piazza memory is his homer in the first game back after 9-11. Truly an electric moment.
What’s yours?
3 Comments
Sooo many…...but one of my favorite moments was actually when Mike was struggling, i think it was his last year with the Mets, there was a series with Atlanta at Shea after the All-Star game. He hit a game wnning 3 run homer going opposite field in the eigth inning on a 0-2 count. The reason I loved that homer was because he had been horrible for two months and i had finally given up on him. For the first time ever I was rooting for him to strike out (didnt want him to make contact and ground into a dp and end the inning) instead of getting a hit. Of coarse he knocked it out with a vintage Piazza swing. Yet another great moment in a Hall of Fame career.
I just love his opposite power he had in his prime. It seems he could just muscle the ball out over the right field wall. Man, was that guy strong. John, is he one of the strongest baseball players you’ve covered?
To Kevin (RE: Piazza)
He’s right up there. Jason Giambi, Darryl Strawberry, Chris Hoiles, Glenallen Hill. All those guys put on HR distance shows in BP.