Viva PiazzaTonight's Mets victory won't be remembered by too many in ten years, or, likely, even in one year. But it was a special night at Shea Stadium nonetheless.
Nearing 37 years of age and in his 13th season in the majors and his 8th as a Met, the Mets' catcher, Mike Piazza, is clearly on the downside of a Hall of Fame career. Sadly, over the last three seasons this once dominant hitter has at times become a liability to his team. His contract expires at the end of the season, and he and the Mets will probably then part ways.
Tonight against the Atlanta Braves, with the score tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 8th inning, Piazza came to the plate with runners on first and second base and one out. Piazza had grounded into a double-play his previous at-bat, and I was hoping that he would simply strike out, leaving David Wright, the following batter, with an opportunity to give the Mets the lead.
It looked like Piazza might strike out when the first two pitches were strikes. But then, in a thrilling blast from his illustrious past, Piazza hit a three run homer over the right field wall, giving the Mets a 6-3 win. For a moment, the feeling was that experienced from 1998 through 2001, when the Mets and the Braves had a fiery rivalry.
Piazza has provided many great moments during his time with the Mets, and tonight might well have the been the last real highlight of his reign at Shea. The fans seemed to sense that, giving him a long standing ovation and a curtain call, thanking him not only for tonight's performance, but for providing five great seasons from 1998 through 2002.
posted on 7/14/2005
