On September 21, 2001, just ten days after the terrorist attacks on New York, Mets catcher Mike Piazza hit a home run at Shea Stadium that transcended baseball. With a .300 batting average that season, Piazza launched a ball in the eighth inning off Braves pitcher Armando Benítez—a moment that became a symbol of resilience for a shattered city. That swing was more than sports; it was a cry of life itself.
The Context: New York in Shock
The September 11 attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and plunged New York into profound grief. Baseball, like much else, paused. MLB resumed operations on September 17, but Shea Stadium remained closed. When it finally opened on September 21 to host Atlanta, the entire city was watching.
The Moment
With two outs in the eighth inning and the Mets trailing 2-1, Piazza stepped into the batter’s box. Benítez delivered the pitch. Piazza connected, and the ball soared into the left-field stands. The 41,235 fans in attendance erupted. It wasn’t just a home run—it was collective catharsis. The Mets won 3-2.
Why It Mattered
Piazza finished 2001 with 36 home runs and a .300 average, but that particular blast etched itself into New York’s memory. He wasn’t a historically dominant power hitter (427 career homers), but in that specific moment, he hit far more than a baseball. Journalists, fans, and the city itself saw in that home run an act of defiance—an assertion that life would go on.
The Numbers From That Historic Night
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Date of Home Run | September 21, 2001 |
| Pitcher | Armando Benítez (Atlanta Braves) |
| Inning | Eighth |
| Attendance | 41,235 fans |
| Piazza’s 2001 AVG | .300 |
| Piazza’s 2001 Home Runs | 36 |
FAQ
Was this Piazza’s only home run in that series?
No. Piazza hit another homer in the third game of that Atlanta series on September 23. But the one on the 21st is the one history remembers.
What was the Mets’ record in 2001?
The Mets went 82-80, finishing third in their division. They made the Wild Card but lost to the Astros.
Did Piazza play his entire career with the Mets?
No. Drafted by the Dodgers, briefly traded to the Marlins, then acquired by the Mets in 1998, Piazza played in New York through 2007. His 16-year career earned him a Hall of Fame induction in 2016 with a .308 career average.
