Remembering 9/11: Mike Piazza’s home run

Today is a day to remember.  Remember all who were lost on 9/11, their families and their friends.  Never forget them.

Yesterday, a teacher asked me what my memories were of 9/11/01.  I can vaguely remember the day, sitting it woodworking class and listening to an old radio play out the news of the morning.

But what I remember most about the days surrounding 9/11 is what transpired 10 days later.

On Sept. 21, 2001, baseball returned to New York.

The Atlanta Braves and the New York Mets squared off at Shea Stadium.  After seven and a half innings of baseball, the Mets trailed by a score of 2-1.

Steve Karsay came on to pitch the 8th for Atlanta.  After inducing a Matt Lawton groundout, Karsay walked Edgardo Alfonzo.  Desi Relaford came on to pinch-run for Alfonzo as Mike Piazza stepped to the plate.

Piazza already had two hits that game, both doubles. 

Behind 0-1 in the count, Piazza stepped into the batters box and hit a home run that meant more to the city of New York than any home run before or since.A towering shot to center field, New Yorkers had a reason to cheer.  It didn’t matter if you were a Mets fan, Yankees fan or no fan at all.  This home run was the first bright spot in the city since the attack.  It was, in a word, euphoric.

I vividly remember sitting on my friends porch and watching this home run through his living room window.  I will never forget Piazza’s home run or the impact it had on the people of New York City.

To relive that moment, here’s a short video on the events leading up to the home run and to see that uplifting moment one more time.

Never forget 9/11.