Long shot by mike piazza, 9781439150238, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Along the way, he tells terrific stories about teammates and rivals that baseball fans will devour. Mike piazzas autobiographythe candid story of the greatest hitting catc. Mike piazzas memoir reveals karate plans for clemens. Long shot by mike piazza meet your next favorite book. Long shot book by mike piazza, lonnie wheeler official. Major league catcher mike piazza about his new memoir, long shot.
You address it in the book saying flatly that you never used steroids. Mike lupica is a sports writer who now writes sports fiction for the 912yearold group. In this remarkably candid autobiography, superstar mike. Mike piazzas deserved hall of fame election could pave way. At his best, piazza was a rare combination of precision and strength at the plate, with the kind of opposite field power rarely seen in the game. Find mike piazzas phone number, address, and email on spokeo, the leading online directory for contact information. What does piazza, the greatest offensive catcher in baseball history with 427 home runs and a. As much as i like mike piazza his book is hard to read cause it. He admitted to taking androstenedione before it was. In his new book, long shot, piazza blamed scully for causing dodgers fans to boo him in his final weeks with the team until he was traded to the florida marlins in may 1998. He may have had family connections and a surfeit of desire, but on paper and, worse yet, on the field he didnt seem to. Mike piazza will be lowestdrafted player to ever enter hall. Of all the hall of fameworthy catchers of the past 40 years, few names start an argument more quickly than mike piazza.
Long shot is the autobiography of former major league catcher mike piazza, who collaborated with lonnie wheeler to write the book. 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. The title of piazza s memoir long shot reflects his odds of becoming a baseball star. Tim marchman the wall street journal 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. Jul 22, 2016 at 16 years old, piazza, who had memorized williams book the science of hitting, spent one saturday afternoon taking swings in the cage while being evaluated by the greatest hitter who ever. The two connected late in piazza s playing career, ultimately marrying in january, 2005. The title of piazzas memoir long shot reflects his odds of becoming a baseball star. Mike piazzas new book is insightful, but does it tell all. 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. In memoir, mike piazza spins tales and denies using. Long shot by mike piazza, lonnie wheeler publishers. No one expected mike piazza to play in the major leagues except mike and his dadnot even the dodgers. Former catcher mike piazza throws out the ceremonial first pitch before game 3 of the 2015 world series against the.
For mike to compile the stats he did while catching is amazing. Last week, i pointed out a passage in long shot in which piazza referenced something glavine had written in his book after theyd been teammates. Mike piazzas phone number, email, address, public records. 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. Social security death index ssdi michael piazza was born on december 26 1900. Debunking the mike piazza steroid myth amazin avenue. Being voted into the hall of fame by the baseball writers association of america is the. Pedro morales has always been content helping others look great. Join facebook to connect with mike piazza and others you may know. The carle place location will be handing out wristbands starting at 9. Mike piazza it took an intervention from nelly for the city of st. Mike piazza was born on september 4, 1968 in norristown, pennsylvania, usa as michael joseph piazza.
Up close and personal with mike piazza and his postbaseball life. In this new york times bestselling autobiography, baseball legend mike piazza takes readers into his exceptional and storied careerfrom the rumors and controversies to his proudest achievements. A book that does not look new and has been read but is in excellent condition. Mike piazza 2002 upper deck sons of summer ssmp mike piazza 2004 playoff prestige players collection 04 batting practice jersey pc61. 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. Feb 11, 20 typically private former catcher mike piazza opens up in his new memoir, long shot, revealing intimate details from his 16season career, putting to rest longstanding rumors about his sexuality. On january 9, 20, piazza failed to be elected to baseball hall of fame, receiving only 57. We are truly thrilled to honor mike by retiring his number during a weekend long celebration recognizing his incredible career.
In his book, written with lonnie wheeler, piazza covers everything from his days as a youth growing up in phoenixville, pa. He has been married to alicia rickter since january 29, 2005. Although the main character is in high school, i found the content appropriate for the fourth, jun 12, 2014 my husband saw this book on the coffee table as part of my personal summer reading. Npr stories about mike piazza retired major league baseball player mike piazzas new autobiography, long shot, addresses the steroid controversy and recalls the first game after the sept. When you think of mike piazza, long shot is probably the furthest thing from your mind. In this remarkably candid autobiography, superstar mike piazza takes readers inside his life and career to show what it takes to make it to the major leagues and to. The upshot of mikes long shot journey in mlb to become the best offensive catcher in major league history is a manic yet masterful story of constant struggle and triumph against ethnic marginalization. He is an actor and producer, known for two weeks notice 2002, constantine the great and married. Mike piazza was a big, muscley guy who hit home runs in the 1990s. Piazzas autobiography, entitled long shot, was released in february 20. He retired with a total of 427 home runs between his time as a catcher and in other positions. In long shot, mike piazza, the former mets catcher, admits that he used androstenedione before baseball banned it, but says he did not rely on steroids. Apr 11, 20 long shot is the autobiography of former major league catcher mike piazza, who collaborated with lonnie wheeler to write the book. Long shot audiobook by mike piazza, lonnie wheeler.
Mike piazza didnt get my hall of fame vote, and heres why. Long shot by mike lupica long shot, character sketch. Piazza was indeed a long shot, a 62nd round pick in baseballs amateur draft, a courtesy pick who went on to a career worthy of the hall of fame. He stated that he would address the performanceenhancing drugs and steroid rumors in his book long shot. 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. Low end mid end trade list and sale list sports card forum. Mike piazza is one of, if not the most, popular new york met to ever put on a uniform. 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. 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. Long shot by mike piazza 20, hardcover for sale online. Piazza was drafted by the dodgers in the 1988 mlb draft as a favor from tommy lasorda to piazza s father.
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. Jan 04, 2016 piazza, a 12time allstar whose 427 homers and. Long shot piazza, mike, wheeler, lonnie 9781439150238. I read long shot mike piazza by lonnie wheeler during the summer. After all, he was the best hitting catcher in the history. Future hall of fame catcher mike piazza probably needed the latter, and a good one at that, and he gets it here in long shot with the help of collaborator lonnie wheeler. Unlike so many of the wives weve seen before, alicia rickter had life figured out long before marrying the former big leaguer. He was not highly regarded, no scouts bagging on his parents door. Initially a first baseman, piazza converted to catcher in the minor leagues at lasordas suggestion to improve his chances of being promoted. Mike piazza brings record crowd to towne book signing. Mike piazza s wife alicia rickter is a self made woman. Long shot in long shot, 12time allstar mike piazza recounts his unlikely path from suburban philadelphia to the big leagues and even how it. Through the years, mike piazzas professional model bat of choice was mizuno, but he was known to use rawlingsadirondack bats on rare occasions towards the latter portion of his career.
For piazza, selection to the hall is validation of an awful lot of hard work. Mets legend mike piazza spills on clemens, gay rumors and. Mets coo jeff wilpon without a doubt mike piazza was one of the top hitting catchers in the history of the game. Hell probably gain entry when the halls 2016 class is announced wednesday, according to ryan thibs wonderfully comprehensive tabulation. In mike piazza s new autobiography long shot, the former dodgers catcher has done the unthinkable. Hes written a book that pleads, on nearly every page, for your respect, love, and validation. This hour long program is narrated by actor, new york city native and mets fan matthew broderick and features exclusive footage of piazzas orientation visit to the museum. It is located at 1908 east lincoln hwy, langhorne, pennsylvania. Louis to forgive mike piazza it started with an interview in the new york times about his soccer team in italy. Whether the best slugging catcher in baseball history ever makes it to cooperstown is unclear, but new yorks national league fans celebrated mike piazza s career in mets pinstripes. Long shot is written with insight, candor, humor, and. In this remarkably candid autobiography, superstar mike piazza takes readers inside his. Mike piazza was arguably the best offensive catcher in baseball history.
In the book, piazza talks about his life in the game. Long shot by mike piazza overdrive rakuten overdrive. Long shotis the autobiography of former major league catcher mike piazza, who collaborated with lonnie wheeler to write the book. Lonnie wheeler s 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. Mike was a player who was a great slugger, likely the greatest hitting catcher of all time, but i really didnt know a lot about him as a person. If you read through his book, long shot, piazza tells tales about his bombs in little league, babe ruth league, and in high school. Enshrined at cooperstown griffey is the first to wear a mariners cap on his plaque, while piazza joins tom seaver as the only players to don mets in the hall of.
The title of the autobiography is symbolic, because it defines. 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. In the book, he blames iconic dodgers broadcaster vin scully for turning fans against him during the contract stalemate that. We are proud to serve honda customers throughout philadelphia and northern new jersey. His is a story of hope and audacity, accent on the latter. Chosen 1,390th by the dodgers in the 1988 draft, a courtesy pick engineered by family friend tommy lasorda, piazza went on to set the alltime homerun record for his demanding position, playing, as one observer remarked. Michael piazza historical records and family trees myheritage.
Mike piazza was a long shot, as the title of his new autobiography says. Long shot explains how this nonprospect blossomed into a legendary hitter. Feb 27, 20 mike piazza hasnt written a baseball book. Piazza has had one of the stranger and more inspiring careers in baseball history. Piazza did himself no favors on that score in his new book, long shot. Jul 22, 2016 join us for a special screening of mlb network presents against the odds.
He made his major league debut in 1992 and the following year was named the national league nl rookie of the year and was an allstar for the first. Long shot is an autobiography written by mike piazza. 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. 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. 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. Long shot by mike piazza in this new york times bestselling autobiography, baseball legend mike piazza takes readers into his exceptional and storied.
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. Mike piazza ventured into a territory generally considered off limits when he criticized iconic dodgers announcer vin scully in his new book, long shot. Long shot, a memoir about former major league baseball player mike piazza longshot cs6, a 2006 nerf blaster released under the nstrikenstrike series longshot cs12, a 2014 nerf blaster released under the z. It just kind of felt like he kind of flopped on me. Not only is mike piazza the greatest hitting catcher of alltime and i agree with the strong suggestion he is, made multiple times in his new book long shot, he has to have the greatest memory.