MLBN Presents: Piazza's Home Run After September 11th

In the first game back in New York after September 11th, Mike Piazza hit the biggest home run of his career in a game against the Braves.

Hosted by Bob Costas, MLB Network Presents is a series of documentaries and access-driven profiles that air during the off-season on MLB Network.

[oeao]

as a Braves fan I was happy...it was beyond baseball at that moment

[NathanDav]

I'm a 3rd generation Yankees fan who grew up on Long Island hating the Mets about as much as I hated (and hate) the Red Sox. The 2000 Subway World Series was perhaps the most stressful period of my life as a sports fan, as my high school devolved into a sort of sports civil war, with not only students but also teachers on opposite sides. I bring this personal history up to show that the Yankees/Mets rivalry was still in a very intense place in 2001, and Mike Piazza’s home run completely transcended not only the rivalry, but sports entirely. Piazza's game-winning home run made me proud as a New Yorker, an American, a baseball fanatic, and a human being. He showed that sports can lift us up, and unite us, and while Piazza's correct in saying that he's not a hero, and certainly not in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the countless heroes of that day and the days to follow, his ACTION was heroic. FDR famously told MLB commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis that baseball should continue during World War II, believing that it was more important than ever that Americans have some kind of pastime to cope with the bad news and the horrors of war. Mike Piazza gave New Yorkers a reason to feel good again, and gave us all 'permission, ' to go back to caring about things as trivial as sports.

This is one of the most important moments in baseball history, and perhaps even one of the most important in New York history as a whole. I smiled when I saw Piazza’s HR at the time, and I still smile when I watch it to this day.

[papillonvu]

It’s 17 years later... I’m not even American... and im watching this with tears in my eyes!

[fundude]

If i could choose one sporting event in history to go to this game would be it.

[skinheadyouth]

Lost my brother and cousin in the towers. Mike Piazza you are the best thank you !!!

[alvalankerofficial]

Jesus 17 years later and I get chills..

[dddlll]

I'm a Yankee fan and would usually never watch the Mets but being a New Yorker and going through 10 days of hell watching the news seeing how many firefighters and civilians died watching funeral procession after funeral procession I turned on the Mets feeling depressed but saying what the heck it's New York let's check it out and Mike Piazza hit that home run just to see all those New Yorkers erupt into happiness was just amazing

[Mike-rhii]

20 years later this is still so moving, I remember that he like it was yesterday. Thank you Mike, we needed that

[scottyp]

You are a hero Piazza, I’m a Yankee fan and this night I was a Mets fan and couldn’t be happier when he hit that home run

[xLoCKeDxAnDxLoADeDx]

Literally crying watching this as a Red Sox fan after game 4 of the 2018 World Series . This is deeper than sports.

[SgtPrice]

There have been some truly iconic home runs hit over the history of this sport. 756, Gibson on One Leg, Joe Carter's walkoff, The Shot Heard 'Round the World... There have been NONE bigger than this one. As ESPN put it the next day, "How do you measure the healing power of a swing?"

[PiazzaGurl]

This game was something to always remember, for me at least. I was getting sick and nauseous just watching the news 24/7. And the Mets coming back to play 2 weeks later, that was the best ever. Mike hitting that HR was to give us something to smile about. Many of us who felt torn into pieces were smiling and cheering.

And what Mike doesn't get is that NY got to watch an amazing game from one of their most beloved and amazing players. I don't think the reaction would've been the same if someone else hit that homer.

[nyosito]

Most emotional and powerful moment in sport I’ve ever witnessed in person. It was a scary decision to make to go to the game, but now looking back 20 years later, it was the right one.

[jayblue]

Still makes my throat clench and hold back tears, it was such an emotional moment that everyone in that stadium and watching that game felt.

[sunshine_tidings]

Anyone: baseball isn't the greatest sport
Me: this video

[grehhet]

remembering watching this as a kid brought tears to my eyes. the roar of the crowd gives me goosebumps. i remember it vividly from back in the day and hearing it again was still intense. what a great moment in mlb history and i am glad to have been able to see it live. as soon as he hit it, my mom and i were both on our feet cheering. he was my favorite player already but this game made him a legend

[dowrecords]

😭😭😭😭tears watching this again. Mike Piazza, we love you.

[BarryGoldberg]

Gives me goosebumps and watery eyes every time I watch it. It is a top 3 baseball moment for me.

[jpwjr]

I was there - went by myself. Great decision. Happy to have been there along the LF field foul pole that night.

[AliceInPantera]

I’ve got a few man tears brewing right now. Such a beautiful and important moment involving such a humble hero. LGM