Mike Piazza's emotional post-9/11 home run | Relive that unforgettable night in Queens

Summary

On September 11, 2001, the Mets returned to New York as the first sports team to play after a 10-day pause due to terrorist attacks. The game against the Braves was a poignant moment of unity and healing. Mike Piazza's dramatic home run in the 8th inning provided an emotional release for a grieving city, symbolizing resilience and hope. His hit not only won the game but also brought smiles to the faces of New Yorkers, including families of firefighters who had lost loved ones, showcasing the power of sports to uplift and unite.

Takeaways

• 🏟️ The Mets were the first sports team to play in New York after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, marking a significant moment in the city's recovery.
• 📅 Baseball was paused for 10 days following the attacks, highlighting the impact of the tragedy on everyday life and events.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The decision for families to attend the game was a mix of fear and the desire to find normalcy and support each other.
• 🎶 The atmosphere at Shea Stadium was solemn and emotional, with the game taking on a deeper meaning beyond sports.
• 🏆 Mike Piazza's home run was a pivotal moment that provided a sense of unity and hope for the fans and the city.
• 👨‍🚒 The home run was particularly meaningful for first responders like firefighters who were deeply affected by the attacks.
• 😢 The emotional release during Piazza's home run was a collective catharsis for a city still reeling from tragedy.
• 👶 The game became a symbol of resilience for families who lost loved ones, as seen through the reactions of children.
• 🏆 Piazza's home run was not just a sports achievement but a cultural and emotional touchstone for New York City.
• 🙏 The Mets' victory and Piazza's home run were seen as a form of healing, bringing a moment of joy amidst immense sorrow.

Q & A

Which baseball team was the first to play in New York after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001?

The New York Mets were the first sports team to play in New York after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

How long was the pause in the baseball schedule due to the terrorist attacks?

The baseball schedule was paused for 10 days due to the terrorist attacks.

What was the emotional state of the players and fans as they returned to play after the attacks?

The players and fans were terrified and solemn, with emotions running high as they returned to play after the attacks.

Who were the Mets playing against when they resumed play after the pause?

The Mets were playing against the Braves when they resumed play after the pause.

What was the significance of the game for the fans and players beyond the competition?

The game was significant beyond the competition as it represented a moment of unity and healing for the city after the tragic events.

What was the score when Mike Piazza came to the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning?

The score was 2-1 with the Mets trailing when Mike Piazza came to the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning.

What was the reaction of the crowd when Mike Piazza hit the home run?

The crowd erupted in cheers and applause, with an incredible release of emotion, as Piazza hit the home run.

How did the home run by Mike Piazza impact the fans, particularly those who had lost loved ones?

The home run by Mike Piazza brought smiles to the faces of fans, including those who had lost loved ones, and provided a moment of joy amidst their grief.

What did the home run by Mike Piazza symbolize for the city of New York?

The home run by Mike Piazza symbolized unity and resilience for the city of New York, as it brought people together and provided a moment of happiness during a difficult time.

How did the game and Mike Piazza's home run affect the family of a firefighter who was lost?

The game and Mike Piazza's home run allowed the family of a lost firefighter to momentarily find happiness and cheer, showing them that they could still enjoy life despite their loss.

What was Mike Piazza's response when people called him a hero for his home run?

Mike Piazza felt uncomfortable when called a hero for his home run, stating that he was just doing his job and that the real heroes were the firefighters and others affected by the attacks.

Outlines

00:00

🏟️ Return to Baseball After 9/11

The script narrates the emotional return of the New York Mets to their home stadium, Shea Stadium, on September 21, 2001, after a 10-day hiatus due to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The Mets were the first sports team to play in New York following the tragedy. The game against the Atlanta Braves was deeply significant, as it provided a moment of unity and healing for the city. The script describes the atmosphere as solemn yet hopeful, with fans and players alike grappling with fear and uncertainty but ultimately finding solace in the game. A pivotal moment was Mike Piazza's two-run home run in the 8th inning, which not only put the Mets ahead but also symbolized resilience and a collective desire to move forward. The home run is remembered as a unifying event that brought smiles to faces and a sense of normalcy amidst grief.

Keywords

💡Terrorist attacks

The term 'terrorist attacks' refers to acts of violence intended to create fear and panic, often for political or ideological reasons. In the context of the video, it specifically refers to the tragic events of September 11, 2001, which led to a national pause in many activities, including sports. The script mentions that the Mets were the first sports team to play in New York after the attacks, highlighting the significance of their return to normalcy and the role of sports in healing and unity.

💡Mets

The 'Mets' is short for the New York Mets, a professional baseball team based in New York City. They are a key subject in the video, as they were the first team to play after the pause in sports due to the terrorist attacks. Their game is depicted as a significant event that brought people together, offering a sense of normalcy and hope during a difficult time.

💡Pennant race

A 'pennant race' in baseball refers to the competition among teams towards the end of the regular season to secure a place in the playoffs. The script mentions that the Mets were in the midst of a pennant race, indicating the high stakes and importance of their games, which added to the emotional intensity of their return to play after the attacks.

💡Shea Stadium

Shea Stadium was the home ballpark of the New York Mets until 2008. In the video, it is the venue where the Mets played their first game after the terrorist attacks. The stadium is described as the place where the community gathered to heal and find a moment of joy amidst grief, making it a symbol of resilience and unity.

💡Bagpipes

Bagpipes are a musical instrument with a distinctive sound, often associated with ceremonies and events of cultural or emotional significance. In the video, the mention of bagpipes playing at Shea Stadium sets a solemn and emotional tone, reflecting the gravity of the situation and the collective mourning of the community.

💡Mike Piazza

Mike Piazza is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher for the New York Mets at the time of the events described in the video. His home run, as described, became a pivotal and emotional moment in the game, symbolizing hope and a return to joy for the fans and the city. Piazza's actions are highlighted as a unifying force during a challenging time.

💡Home run

A 'home run' in baseball is when a batter hits the ball and is able to circle all the bases to score a point for their team without being put out. In the video, Piazza's home run is depicted as more than just a sports achievement; it's a moment of collective catharsis and a symbol of the city's resilience and ability to find joy after tragedy.

💡Emotion

Emotion refers to the feelings or affective states experienced by individuals. The video script describes an 'incredible release of emotion' during Piazza's home run, indicating the deep impact the event had on the fans and the city. It shows how sports can serve as an emotional outlet and a means to cope with and process collective trauma.

💡Unity

Unity in this context refers to the sense of togetherness and shared experience among people. The video emphasizes how the Mets' game and Piazza's home run united New Yorkers and Americans, bringing them together in a moment of solidarity and shared hope following the terrorist attacks.

💡Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover quickly from difficulties or to withstand hardships. The video script uses the return of the Mets to play and the community's response to illustrate the resilience of New York City in the face of adversity. It shows how the city and its people were able to find strength and carry on after a devastating event.

💡Normalcy

Normalcy refers to a state of ordinary, uneventful, and predictable conditions. In the video, the Mets' game symbolizes a return to normalcy after the disruption caused by the terrorist attacks. It represents a step towards healing and moving forward, as people sought to regain a sense of routine and stability.

Highlights

The Mets were the first sports team to play in New York after a 10-day pause due to the terrorist attacks.

The return to play was an emotional and unforgettable experience for players and fans alike.

The game against the Braves was more than a competition; it was a moment of unity and healing.

The decision to attend the game was a family choice to honor the memory of a lost loved one.

The atmosphere at Shea Stadium was solemn, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

The game became secondary to the emotional release and communal experience.

Mike Piazza's at-bat in the 8th inning with the Mets trailing became a pivotal moment.

The energy in the stadium shifted as Piazza prepared to hit, signifying a collective hope.

Piazza's home run was a moment of joy and release for a grieving city.

The home run brought smiles to the faces of children who had been mourning for 10 days.

The game's outcome was a symbol of resilience and the power of sports to uplift spirits.

Mike Piazza's home run was more than a sports achievement; it was a unifying moment for the country.

Firefighters, who had suffered losses, found a reason to smile because of the game's outcome.

The Mets' win was recorded as just another game, but it was a defining moment for the city.

Mike Piazza's career was marked by this game, which held a deeper meaning beyond sports.

Transcripts

the mets were on the road on september

11 2001 but when they returned home and

after baseball paused its schedule for

10 days they became the first sports

team to play in new york since the

terrorist attacks

i can't describe that week and i can't

describe what it was like to come back

and play because i don't remember any of

it in a way

it was a friday and the mets were

playing the braves in the midst of a

pennant race

the night would be unlike any other the

players and their fans ever experienced

a day i will never ever forget

[Music]

it was a decision should we go should we

go we were terrified because here it is

a ball field and with terrorism and

stuff

and we decided as a family that there

was someplace their father my husband

would want us to be

to try to at least enjoy yourself would

be shea stadium

it wasn't a competition against our most

hated rivals it was so much bigger than

anything i had ever been part of before

that

it was just inevitable that something

really special was happening

[Music]

the minute i heard the bagpipes you know

i just i couldn't i lost it you know and

i remember looking up and praying to god

saying lord please give me the strength

to get through this

because i don't know if i can

i never thought i'd see my boys happy

again

it was very solemn at that point to me

everything hurt

i think the baseball part became

secondary until

we started getting deeper into the game

the mets were trailing 2-1 in the bottom

of the 8th when mike piazza came to the

plate with a chance to put new york

ahead

and here's the man the mets won up in

this spot down a run late in the game

next you know here comes piazza the

plate and the energy level of state i'm

not getting goosebumps talking about it

right now but the energy level of the

stadium starts to go and everybody's

like oh wait a minute like this wait

could this possibly happen right now

that fans are getting into it now you

can hear the let's go metcrat

[Music]

it's amazing when you're in the right

place at the right time and you believe

in yourself and you have a lot of people

pulling for you you feel it and the

pitch

when he hit that ball you heard the

crack of him

[Applause]

[Music]

[Applause]

the place just absolutely erupted my

children for the first time in 10 days

which i thought would never happen

were cheering and smiling and happy and

it was just

the

i'm getting the chills now just thinking

of it

it was just this incredible release of

emotion and i think you know it became

evidently clear that people just wanted

to cheer

cheer about you know something

[Applause]

i could never thank him enough for

putting the smiles on my children's

faces they saw they could enjoy a

baseball game without their father which

i'm sure they probably thought they

would never and making me as a mom

realize that you know what the kids got

a shot at this they're gonna they're

gonna be okay

i gotta be honest with you i truly feel

uncomfortable when people say you know

you're a hero you know that home run and

i and i have to disavow myself from that

i don't i don't feel like i was a hero i

really don't

dad he said

how'd you do my job i said michael gosh

you can't imagine what that home run

meant to to the country

i mean it

united everybody those firefighters

smiling

because of a baseball game here are

uniformed firefighters who probably

lost

friends god forbid even family and yet

because mike piazza hit a home run

that's something to actually smile about

shea stadium has something to smile

about

the mets have won on a two-run hover by

mike piazza

in the record books it was just another

game in september but in every other way

it was the biggest and most meaningful

moment of mike piazza's career