Former New York Mets catcher Mike Piazza famously hit the first MLB home run in New York after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. In a September 21 home game against the Atlanta Braves, Piazza came to bat at Shea Stadium with the Mets down 2-1.
Piazza hit a Steve Carthay pitch into deep left-center field for a two-run homer that gave the Mets the win and is today considered one of the most iconic home runs in New York sports and MLB history, as many first responders and family members of those killed in the attack were there that night.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
New York Mets pitcher Mike Piazza hit a home run in the eighth inning and the Mets beat the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, on a dramatic night of patriotic spirit at Shea Stadium as baseball returned to New York City. (Howard Earl Simmons/NY Daily News Archives via Getty Images)
Piazza's manager at the time, longtime player-manager Bobby Valentine, credited former President George W. Bush with helping Piazza hit that historic home run that moment.
“Bush truly believed, believed that if baseball came back, the road to recovery would be much better. He pushed for it and I believed him. The reason we played in New York, the reason the Atlanta Braves came to New York, the reason Mike Piazza hit home runs in New York, was primarily because George W. felt it was the right thing to do,” Valentine said in an interview. Dan Dakich of OutKick.
MLB postponed all games immediately after the September 11 attacks. After a week of silence, games slowly resumed, but New Yorkers were still in shock and the rest of the country was reeling. But Bush was one of the strongest advocates for baseball to return as soon as possible, and he capped it off with a home run from Piazza.
It was seen as a symbolic moment for the city and the country, charting a path toward recovery from the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 Americans. Valentine said it was one of the most memorable moments of his career.
Former Navy SEAL walk-on backer gives 'emotional' speech at Nebraska football's 9/11 memorial ceremony
Former President George W. Bush addresses the nation after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. (Greg Matheson/Mai/Getty Images)
“That was the craziest time I've ever been a part of. It was amazing to be a part of New York City, be a part of the New York Mets and then the recovery. We waited 10 days and we got back on September 21st and Mike Piazza hit a home run and it was the shot that reverberated around the world for sure because it made a crackling noise. It was a great barrel, if you like, that's why it's called a barrel today. And it just flipped people who were frowning and made things go right again,” Valentine said.
Later that year, Bush appeared in person at Game 3 of the World Series between the Yankees and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium.
Bush was invited to throw the first pitch at the game in Arizona for security reasons but declined, instead waiting until Game 3 in the Bronx on October 30.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Wearing an FDNY sweater covering his bulletproof vest, a solemn-looking President Bush emerged from the Yankees dugout and waved to the crowd as he stepped onto the mound, then the crowd erupted in ecstasy when he threw a strike just over home plate.
“I've never had such an adrenaline rush as when I stepped on the mound and said to the crowd, 'I'm with you guys, the country is with you guys,' and I finished pitching,” Bush previously said. said MLB.com“I've been to conventions, rallies and speaking events, but I've never felt anything so powerful, such strong emotion, such a palpable collective will of the crowd.”
Though the Yankees won that night, they ultimately lost to Arizona in seven games, ending their three-peat streak.
Follow Fox News Digital X's sports coverageSubscribe Fox News Sports Huddle Newsletter.
