METS 3
PADRES 2
As Mike Piazza got into the batter’s box in the sixth inning last night, a fan held up a sign that read, “WISH YOU WERE HERE.” The Mets’ franchise player for nearly 7½ seasons, Piazza was back in Flushing for the first time since last year.
In his homecoming, Piazza heard cheers, but didn’t get a win or an RBI. He went 1-for-4 with a single, a strikeout, a groundout and a popout in the Mets’ 3-2 victory over the Padres.
“I can’t really explain how honored I am,” Piazza said afterward, “because you just don’t see that a lot in sports today.” Piazza received a video tribute before the game, the Shea scoreboard inscribing “WELCOME BACK 31” before it began. The Beatles’ song “In My Life” accompanied Piazza highlights, as the fans gave the 37-year-old a standing ovation.
Piazza watched the video from the left-field line. After it ended, he gave a small wave, then tipped his helmet as he walked along the thirdbase line. He received a standing ovation from the fans, and the catcher waved and blew kisses, and held up his helmet. The fans chanted his name then clapped five times in unison.
When it was time for Piazza’s first at-bat, there were cheers as he was getting ready to hit, prompting another tip of his cap outside the batter’s box. He received a long standing ovation, and he tipped his helmet again. According to Piazza, Paul Lo Duca told Piazza not to rush.
“Mine was probably a quarter of what he went through when I went back to L.A.,” Lo Duca said, “and when you get that ovation like that, it feels good.” Piazza – who admitted in pregame he was “very nervous” – then struck out, going down on a Steve Trachsel splitter. But the cheers could still be heard..
In his second trip to the plate in the third, Piazza batted with runners on second and third but bounced out to short. Three innings later, Piazza came up with Brian Giles on first and one out, but Giles was caught stealing on the first pitch, prompting fans to chant Lo Duca’s name. Piazza then lined a single to center, and the fans showered him with another standing ovation.
Finally in the eighth, Piazza came up as the potential go-ahead run, with Mike Cameron on first. Roberto Hernandez came in to battle Piazza.
After Cameron stole second, Piazza popped to center. He heard a big ovation, however, as he headed to the dugout and was then taken out before the bottom of the eighth and replaced with Josh Bard.
Piazza also said during the game he “congratulated” David Wright on receiving his $55 million contract.
“These guys are teammates of mine and I’ll always remember them and always be friends,” Piazza said.
“And it was a little awkward being on the other side of the field, but I’ve always prided myself on being a professional and doing the best I can and they’re a great team.” Piazza, who went 2-for-10 with a homer in the series against the Mets earlier this season in San Diego, said he will play in 2007.
