With the Mets trailing 2-1 in their home game against the Atlanta Braves on September 21, Piazza took the field at Shea Stadium.
But the Mets prevailed because Piazza crushed a pitch from Steve Karsay to deep left field, scoring the game’s winning two runs. Since many first responders and relatives of those killed in the attack were present that evening, it is now regarded as one of the most famous home runs in MLB and New York sports history.
Longtime player and manager Bobby Valentine, who was Piazza’s manager at the time, credited former President George W. Bush with the catcher’s historic home run at that precise moment.
“Bush genuinely thought—he was the one who thought—that the road to recovery would be much better if baseball returned. And he pushed for it, and I supported him. I believe that George W. thought it was the right thing to do, which is largely why we played in New York, the Atlanta Braves traveled there, and Mike Piazza hit the home run there, Valentine stated in an interview with OutKick’s Dan Dakich.
