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SAN DIEGO -- His eyes were filled with tears when he departed Shea Stadium, and 10 months later, Mike Piazza fears the same emotion could overwhelm him again tonight in his return.
The standing ovations, the curtain calls, the video tribute. Few players own New York as Piazza did during his seven-plus years on the Mets, and he remembers that Oct. 2 afternoon like it happened yesterday. In his mind's eye, Piazza sees himself bowing to every corner of Shea, thanking the fans for a sendoff he wished could have been postponed a few more years.
"That was an amazing day," said Piazza, now dressed in a Padres uniform, standing in a clubhouse 3,000 miles away. "It just kind of took on a life of its own. It was pretty special."
As for tonight, Piazza is curious to see what happens when he steps to the plate for the first time. There's little doubt that his three-day visit will be a rekindled lovefest between the Flushing fans and the likely first-ballot Hall of Famer, but Piazza doesn't want to take anything for granted.
"I hope it's good," Piazza said. "You just never know. Once the game starts, there's always that die-hard contingent that will pull for the Mets. That's fine. I understand that. I'm going to try not to get too emotional and get through it."
Mike Cameron was Piazza's teammate for two seasons with the Mets, and has the locker next to him in San Diego. He even lives about five miles down the road from him in their beachfront community on the fringe of La Jolla, Calif.
The standing ovations, the curtain calls, the video tribute. Few players own New York as Piazza did during his seven-plus years on the Mets, and he remembers that Oct. 2 afternoon like it happened yesterday. In his mind's eye, Piazza sees himself bowing to every corner of Shea, thanking the fans for a sendoff he wished could have been postponed a few more years.
"That was an amazing day," said Piazza, now dressed in a Padres uniform, standing in a clubhouse 3,000 miles away. "It just kind of took on a life of its own. It was pretty special."
As for tonight, Piazza is curious to see what happens when he steps to the plate for the first time. There's little doubt that his three-day visit will be a rekindled lovefest between the Flushing fans and the likely first-ballot Hall of Famer, but Piazza doesn't want to take anything for granted.
"I hope it's good," Piazza said. "You just never know. Once the game starts, there's always that die-hard contingent that will pull for the Mets. That's fine. I understand that. I'm going to try not to get too emotional and get through it."
Mike Cameron was Piazza's teammate for two seasons with the Mets, and has the locker next to him in San Diego. He even lives about five miles down the road from him in their beachfront community on the fringe of La Jolla, Calif.
posted by Ty at 6:06 AM
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