Mike Piazza can't remember where he was going or where he was coming from, but at some point after his historic home run shortly after the 9/11 attacks, he was approached by a stranger as he was deboarding the plane.
The man, who was in attendance at Shea Stadium that night, simply wanted to thank Piazza for playing a small role in helping New York City heal following the devastating events that occurred 20 years ago on Saturday.
"I sat next to this guy, and when you're getting your bags and things are getting hectic, he said he lost a close family remember, I think his brother, and he said 'I couldn't tell you how much that home run meant to me and my family,'" Piazza said. "It was really touching. I was completely shocked and taken aback, and then he was just gone, almost like a ghost…that really stuck with me."
Piazza likes to think back to those moments when looking back on his game-winning home run against the Braves in the first game played in New York since 9/11. The tragedy will be remembered on Saturday when the Mets host the Yankees, with a pregame ceremony scheduled and uniforms worn to honor first responders. His home run helped briefly return the city to a sense of normalcy, but there has never been a full return to normal for Piazza, especially around this time of year.
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"I don't think it really gets any easier as the years go on," Piazza said. "Time sort of has a healing effect, but for me, especially when this day comes by every year, it's difficult to kind of look back. The images for me and for a lot of people are still very vivid in their minds. It's a wonderful thing that we continue to honor them on this day. I don't think it gets any easier as the years go by, but the positive effect is that you see a lot of positive outpouring of love and affection, and the same sentiments I think we had after the attacks in the city.
"Unfortunately, you have to experience tragedy to see triumph and courage and bravery. As much as I'm sad to see and remember the sad events, it's still uplifting to continue to reflect on the positive stories that came out of that week."
One of the positives was his home run, which lifted a city in need of a distraction. The home run is still seen as one of the most memorable in Mets history, and in the eyes of Piazza, who hit 427 career home runs and the most ever as a catcher, that home runs stands alone.
"It means a lot to me," Piazza said. "I've said before, I've been blessed to have a few home runs and some big home runs…but I think even though the game didn't really have any playoff implications, it wasn't a playoff game or a world series game, it had bigger emotional value from all the fans and people in the city. It'll always be with me."
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