Here is what being a Hall of Fame player is all about.
These are the human qualities that make a difference.
This was a day of reflection for Mike Piazza as he officially was introduced as a Hall of Famer at the New York Athletic Club on Thursday, along with Ken Griffey Jr. as both men commanded the day.
When Piazza, 47, talked about his home run against the Braves that first game at Shea Stadium after 9/11, his soul shined through. That homer will hold a special place in the hearts of Mets fans and New Yorkers forever, and for those whose hearts bled for New York at that terrible time.
“It’s tough, I get emotional thinking back to that moment,’’ Piazza began, his eyes beginning to glisten. “It’s something you can’t define.’’
This is what 9/11 did.
“It’s something that changed all of our lives,’’ Piazza said. “Not at a baseball level, but at a personal level for me. It really put my life in perspective and focused what the important things in life are, and that’s family and friends and relationships.
“To have that ripped away from so many of us was tough. We talked about the frustration of not knowing when to come back after a tragedy like that and all the feelings going into that game were something you can’t describe.
“For me to be at the right place and the right time and to come through I can only think it comes from above and a lot of people that put wind under my wings,’’ Piazza said, words flowing like the emotion of the time.
“It’s uncomfortable, at times, when people put me as, for lack of a better word, a hero.
“I said, ‘No I am not a hero.’ The people that went to work that day were heroes. The people who tried to save them were heroes and the families that had to move on without a mother or a father or a sister or brother or an uncle are heroes.
“As much as I feel blessed that people remember that, it’s tough for me.’’
He stopped. His story told.
The moment on Sept. 21, 2001, when that ball cleared the center-field fence will live forever. It is part of Piazza’s legacy, one magical home run of 427.
His words give you a greater understanding of Mike Piazza the person and why this ride to Cooperstown will be different than so many other journeys.
The Mets are proud he is wearing their cap into the Hall. These are great days for the Mets. You can be sure this summer Piazza will have his No. 31 retired by the ballclub.
This day belonged to the Hall of Fame. The Mets smartly did not want to take away from that.
What about all those other long shots out there in life like Piazza, who made it to the Hall of Fame despite being the 1,390th pick of the 1988 draft?
Piazza put that in perspective too.
“Never give up,” he said. “Just believe in yourself. Trust the people that love you and want you to excel. Understand that for me, it’s a true American success story. It’s what our country is all about and what baseball is all about.
“I think in this day and age, because it’s so digital and everyone’s attention span is a little shorter, you need to put the time in on things.
“You have to refine your craft. Things aren’t always going to come instantaneously. Don’t be afraid of change. Sometimes you think you are going to do something and you end up doing something else completely opposite.
“Kind of trust that life is a journey. It’s not a destination. There’s going to be ups and downs but always be positive.’’
This is why Piazza chose to wear a Mets cap into the Hall.
“Nothing negative with the Dodgers,’’ he said, “but your heart can only be in one place. For me, it’s with the New York fans.’’
Mike Piazza’s heart and soul belong to Cooperstown now.
Mets fans, be proud.
New Yorkers, be proud.