Each week, our editors select the one author and one book they believe to be most worthy of your attention and highlight them in our pro connect email alert. If you read through his book, long shot, piazza tells tales about his bombs in little league, babe ruth league, and in. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Get the latest updated stats for oakland athletics catcher mike piazza on. Being voted into the hall of fame by the baseball writers association of america is the. Mike piazzas memoir reveals karate plans for clemens. This was the first time since 1996 that no baseball player was voted in. The hall of famer has bought a small soccer club in italy, where locals may not know his baseball career, but they firmly. Long shot is told with insight, candor, humor, and charm. Long shot by mike piazza overdrive rakuten overdrive. Mike piazzas story as a long shot who never gave up and worked hard, never compromising, to become one of the greatest players in the game.
May 16, 2014 in his memoir, the catcher opens up about getting drafted in the 62nd round, his feud with roger. Long shot explains how this nonprospect blossomed into a legendary hitter. For more information on this or other newly released books. In the book, he blames iconic dodgers broadcaster vin scully for turning fans. May 22, 2002 no gay sex occurs in this manhattan duplex apartment. Mets legend mike piazza spills on clemens, gay rumors and.
No one expected mike piazza to play in the major leagues except mike and his dadnot even the dodgers. Last tuesday, piazza released his long awaited memoir long shot. Collegeville mike piazza has now told his complete story of his baseball career that evolved into stardom as a major league baseball catcher along. The title of piazzas memoir long shot reflects his odds of becoming a baseball star. Mike piazza ventured into a territory generally considered off limits when he criticized iconic dodgers announcer vin scully in his new book, long shot. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Long shot tells piazzas story of being selected in the 1988 baseball draft as a 62nd round courtesy pick, end eventually becoming the greatesthitting catcher in the history of baseball. But if piazza is trying to ingratiate himself to the dodger faithful, going after scully. Mike piazza it took an intervention from nelly for the city of st. Debunking the mike piazza steroid myth amazin avenue. The dodgers had let 33yearold mike scioscia depart as a free agent that winter and gave piazza the nod as their starting catcher on opening. This book is a nonfiction biography about mike piazzas baseball career, his childhood, and his path to being the best offensive catcher in major league baseball history. Michael joseph piazza is an american former major league baseball catcher.
Much like michael jordans bitter, angry hall of fame induction speech in which the second greatest basketball player of all time wilt chamberlain is still number one in my view felt the need to lash out at those who said hed never make it, mike piazza s new book long shot is further proof that overwhelming success does not erase the early trauma of doubt. Mike piazzas autobiographythe candid story of the greatest hitting catc. Mike piazza s new memoir long shot chronicles his career and controversies. Long shot is an autobiography written by mike piazza. He had at least one rbi in 15 consecutive games for the new york mets in 2000, the secondlongest rbi streak ever ray grimes of the chicago cubs had 17 consecutive games.
Long shot mike piazza personal connection last year at watertown high school it was rumored that some athletes were using performance enhancing drugs. I havent had time to call, but im certain you would have to preorder the book before the appearance in order to meet mike and have him sign your copy at the nyc location. Long shot book by mike piazza, lonnie wheeler official. Sep 30, 20 mike piazza was never one to hide his emotions. Feb 21, 20 former allstar catcher mike piazza has been making the media rounds in support of his new book, long shot. A 12time allstar, piazza is often regarded as one of the besthitting catchers of all time and holds the record for home runs hit by a catcher, with a career total of 427. I read long shot mike piazza by lonnie wheeler during the summer. For mike to compile the stats he did while catching is amazing. You address it in the book saying flatly that you never used steroids. Baseball celebrity mike piazza, a longtime florida resident, was living in a small house in boynton beach, north of.
Mike piazza s autobiography the candid story of the greatest hitting catcher in the history of baseball, from his inauspicious draft selection to his hall of fameworthy achievements, and the unusual controversies that marked his career. Long shot by mike piazza, 9781439150238, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. In the book, piazza talks about his life in the game. This book is a nonfiction biography about mike piazza s baseball career, his childhood, and his path to being the best offensive catcher in major league baseball history. Long shot comeback kids by lupica, mike and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. On january 9, 20, piazza failed to be elected to baseball hall of fame, receiving only 57.
Mike piazzas deserved hall of fame election could pave way. Piazza has had one of the stranger and more inspiring careers in baseball history. In memoir, mike piazza spins tales and denies using. Toward the end of the book written with lonnie wheeler, piazza goes somewhat off the rails. Long shot by mike piazza 20, hardcover for sale online.
Apr 11, 20 long shot is the autobiography of former major league catcher mike piazza, who collaborated with lonnie wheeler to write the book. Feb 27, 20 mike piazza hasnt written a baseball book. For piazza, baseball success was a long shot weekend edition guest host don gonyea talks to former major league catcher mike piazza about his new memoir, long shot, and his time in. Along the way, he tells terrific stories about teammates and rivals that baseball fans will devour. Sep 11, 2011 on this day 10 years ago, the terrorist attack on america happen, were a series of four coordinated suicide attacks upon the united states in new york city and the washington, d. How mike piazza went from overlooked first baseman to the best hitting catcher ever.
Oct 07, 2016 this article originally appeared in the may 2006 issue of architectural digest. The former new york mets slugger wiped away tears and his voice quavered sunday as he addressed a nearcapacity crowd at citi field, where piazza. Dec 01, 2015 jaws and the 2016 hall of fame ballot. Long shot is written with insight, candor, humor, and.
The twelvetime allstar catcher describes the inspiration he gleaned from his selfmade father, his early career with the dodgers, his memorable 2000 world series with the mets, and the controversies that have marked his career. He stated that he would address the performanceenhancing drugs and steroid rumors in his book long shot. This week he made an appearance on jimmy kimmel live and gave one of his better interviews, touching on a few random subjects that we previously hadnt heard much about. He calls the book long shot, and in the epilogue, he mentions his fervent hope that his story will serve as an inspiration to his readers. At times, he even got emotional and poured his heart out into certain. The accusation came out during piazza s new book, long shot. Mike also addresses the rumors of being gay and describes the thrill of his gamewinning home run on september 21, 2001, the first baseball game played in new york after the 911 tragedy. Mike piazza s story as a long shot who never gave up and worked hard, never compromising, to become one of the greatest players in the game. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content.
A look back at the long ago annual series between the mets and their bronx rivals. Mike piazza was born on september 4, 1968 in norristown, pennsylvania, usa as michael joseph piazza. Typically private former catcher mike piazza opens up in his new memoir, long shot. Npr stories about long shot retired major league baseball player mike piazza s new autobiography, long shot, addresses the steroid controversy and recalls the. Mike piazza was a long shot, as the title of his new autobiography says. His is a story of hope and audacity, accent on the latter. Feb 11, 20 mike piazza s new memoir reveals details of his plans to fight roger clemens. Making it in the big leagues was a long shot for catcher mike. Pedro morales has always been content helping others look great. Former catcher mike piazza throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game 3 of the 2015 world series against the kansas.
Long shot audiobook by mike piazza, lonnie wheeler. The title of the autobiography is symbolic, because it defines. After his father asked lasorda to select piazza as a favor, the miamidade community college student was drafted by the dodgers in the 62nd round of the 1988 major league baseball amateur draft as the 1,390th player picked overall in the draft. Jul 22, 2016 as mike piazza heads to cooperstown, jay jaffe gives a close look at the star catchers hall of fame career and his case that earned him enshrinement. Piazza blames scully for dodgers rift the inquisitr. Mike piazza blames vin scully for turning fans against him during his contract stalemate before he was traded to the florida marlins in 1998.
Hes written a book that pleads, on nearly every page, for your respect, love, and validation. That included names like roger clemens, barry bonds, craig biggio, and mike piazza. We are truly thrilled to honor mike by retiring his number during a weekend long celebration recognizing his incredible career. I chose this because the level of competion in sports is so high that athletes of all ages feel the need to take a supplement to. Mike piazza brings record crowd to towne book signing. Tim marchman the wall street journal beloved mets catcher mike piazza comes out swinging in a new memoirconfronting rumors about being gay and taking steroids, detailing his romantic home runs and finally setting the score with his hated rival, roger clemens. Louis to forgive mike piazza it started with an interview in the new york times about his soccer team in italy. Major league catcher mike piazza about his new memoir, long shot. Making it in the big leagues was a long shot for catcher. Sep 16, 2010 originally aired nationally on sunday, october 12, 1997.
Jan 04, 2016 mike piazzas election to the hall of fame could signal a shift in the electorate. Piazza was indeed a long shot, a 62nd round pick in baseballs amateur draft, a courtesy pick who. Long shot is the autobiography of former major league catcher mike piazza, who collaborated with lonnie wheeler to write the book. Mike piazza has been the most popular ultimate mets database daily lookup 272. How mike piazza went from overlooked first baseman to the besthitting catcher ever. When i spotted the cover of long shot, the tough, belligerent growling face highlighted by suncutting greasepaint it was abruptly in my hands, so i gave it the page one test. In long shot, 12time allstar mike piazza recounts his unlikely path from suburban philadelphia to the big leagues and even how it led to a trip to the vatican. Making it in the big leagues was a long shot for catcher mike piazza in his memoir, the catcher opens up about getting drafted in the 62nd. But with talent, determination, and a formidable work ethic, long shot piazza learned the demanding position of catcher and not only made it to the majors, he became one of the great players in the history of the game. Apr 07, 20 as a lifelong mets fan you can tell by a photo of me at age 10 dressed as keith hernandez for halloween, and my current aura of despair, id hoped mike piazza one of few genuine heroes on. Find highquality mike piazza stock photos and editorial news pictures from getty images. Making it in the big leagues was a long shot for catcher mike piazza fresh air. Mike piazza will be lowestdrafted player to ever enter hall of fame.
Piazza did himself no favors on that score in his new book, long shot. In long shot, piazza opened up about his entire life and was very descriptive about it, with the book containing 347 pages. Tim marchman, the wall street journal beloved mets catcher mike piazza comes out swinging in a new memoirconfronting rumors about being gay and taking steroids, detailing his romantic home runs and finally setting the score with his hated rival, roger clemens. Long shot 1st edition by piazza, mike 20 hardcover on. As much as i like mike piazza his book is hard to read cause it. He is an actor and producer, known for two weeks notice 2002, constantine the great and married. Long shot ebook by mike piazza 9781439163030 rakuten kobo. Jan 09, 2014 debunking the mike piazza steroid myth. In mike piazzas new autobiography long shot, the former dodgers catcher has done the unthinkable. Mike piazza will be lowestdrafted player to ever enter hall. Download premium images you cant get anywhere else. Long shot 1st edition by piazza, mike 20 hardcover.
Beloved mets catcher mike piazza comes out swinging in a new memoirconfronting rumors about being gay and taking steroids, detailing his romantic home runs and finally setting the score with his hated rival, roger clemens. If you read through his book, long shot, piazza tells tales about his bombs in little league, babe ruth league, and in high school. In this remarkably candid autobiography, superstar mike piazza takes readers inside his. He may have had family connections and a surfeit of desire, but on paper and. The epitome of a point guard, he plays the game to set up his teammatesned, in particular, the star forward on the receiving end of pedros pinpoint passes. Mike was a player who was a great slugger, likely the greatest hitting catcher of all time, but i. Lonnie wheelers numerous books include collaborations on the autobiographies of hank aaron i had a hammer, bob gibson stranger to the game, mike piazza long shot, a baseball dialogue between gibson and reggie jackson sixty feet, six inches, and reflections on a summer at wrigley field bleachers. I also mentioned that i might write a book someday. Mets coo jeff wilpon without a doubt mike piazza was one of the top hitting catchers in the history of the game. Mike piazzas new memoir long shot chronicles his career. In mike piazza s candid book, long shot, the title says it all. Up close and personal with mike piazza and his postbaseball life. Long shot by mike piazza in this new york times bestselling autobiography, baseball legend mike piazza takes readers into his exceptional and storied. Read long shot by mike piazza available from rakuten kobo.