Forgive a re-run of a column from last year, but it's important that we:
As this forum is about baseball, I thought I would offer up a recap of one of the most stunning moments in the history of the game. In another thread many of us shared our memories of 9/11 as the sober 17th anniversary of those savage attacks. As you remember, life in New York came to a grinding halt, with airports nationwide closed down, businesses unable (or unwilling in light of the tragedy) to operate, and baseball itself went on a non-strike hiatus.
When the season resumed 10 days later the Mets were facing
their bitter rivals, the Atlanta Braves.
The Braves sat atop the division with a ½ game lead over Philadelphia
and a 4.5 game cushion over the Mets. Before
the game began the Mets honored the many brave people lost and injured during
the attacks and the attempted recovery.
In direct defiance of league rules, native New Yorker John Franco and
his teammates donned FDNY and NYPD caps in place of their official uniforms.
Mets right hander Bruce Chen threw a masterful game, giving
up just a single run on six hits over 7 IP, but then John Franco gave up a
single to Mets killer Chipper Jones and gave way to Armando Benitez who
promptly served up a run scoring double to Brian Jordan charged to Franco which
paved the way for a prospective Braves 2-1 win.
As per usual, they seemed to fold anytime the two teams took
the field and this time was no different with Braves’ hurler Jason Marquis
having gone 6 innings of 1-run baseball, the Mets were doing nothing against
the bullpen.
Righty Steve Karsay was a mid-season acquisition from Cleveland
and was pitching to a miniscule 1.84 ERA.
In the bottom of the 8th Edgardo Alfonzo came up and worked out a walk that led to some squawking from Karsay. Bobby Valentine sent in the speedier Desi Relaford to run for Alfonzo in the hopes of
tying the score. Despite the
baserunner, it looked pretty bleak.
Up stepped Mike Piazza who already had a fine season up to
that point with a .295 average to go along with 33 HRs and 82 RBIs. He was certainly the Mets’ best hope. After looking at a first pitch strike he
connected with a low and outside delivery, depositing over the left-centerfield wall
giving the Mets a 3-2 lead.
More importantly, however, for a city under siege it gave
them a joyful and emotional release which allowed them for one moment to resume
a normal life once again. Please enjoy
reliving that moment and try not to get choked up:
Piazza was humble but recognized the significance of what just happened. "I'm glad to give people a diversion from the sorrow, to give them a thrill. If the season ends tomorrow, we're all winners, because we didn't give up. I'm just so happy I gave the people something to cheer. There was a lot of emotion. It was just a surreal sort of energy out there. I'm just so proud to be a part of it tonight."
For his career, Mike Piazza hit 427 home runs but during his 2016 Hall of Fame induction he referred to just a single long ball -- this one.
For his career, Mike Piazza hit 427 home runs but during his 2016 Hall of Fame induction he referred to just a single long ball -- this one.
Reese
ReplyDeleteI think that most of us forgot how long it took for NYC to start to come back from that horrible day.
That and the MSG concert were special days for me.
I was downtown that day, and worked down there for several months afterwards. It was horrific.
ReplyDeletePiazza's titanic homer that first game back was a magical, incredible Mets moment. An indelible baseball moment. Immortal moment. It shouted out, "No, THIS is America!"
Well put, Reese......I remember that game and that moment like it was yesterday.
ReplyDeleteThe gamut of emotions of elation at the home run putting the team ahead, the release of the pent up tension from the past ten days and the sudden realization that life could, would and did return to normal again...that's what I remember most vividly.
ReplyDeleteJake - the best .500 pitcher in baseball history.
ReplyDeleteReese. Thank you for re-posting.
ReplyDelete