One of the greatest offensive catchers ever to play in the MLB, Mike Piazza, was the latest guest of the Sheen Center’s “Faith: The Competitive Edge” series. The Hall of Famer spoke about his Catholic faith and the role it played in his life both on and off the field.
Catholic New York reports that Piazza began the discussion by recalling the many gifts he attributes to his faith. Speaking to series host 1988 U.S. Olympian Leslie Maxie, Piazza noted that his faith has equipped him with patience and perseverance:
The 12-time All-Star went on to note that it is important for the faithful to trust in God’s designs:
Career
Piazza’s baseball career is one that any aspiring major leaguer would hope to achieve. Beginning as the National League Rookie of the Year, he blossomed into a powerhouse hitter who retired with a career average of .308, hitting 427 home runs and 1,335 RBI’s in his 16 years of play.
He is still a beloved figure in New York, especially by Mets fans who enjoyed his prodigious bat for the majority of his career. Be they Mets fans or Yankees fans, however, no New Yorker will ever forget the time Piazza hit a game-winning 2-run home run against the Atlanta Braves, during the first game played in the city after 9/11.
The hit was powerful, both physically and metaphorically, as it gave New Yorkers a reason to celebrate and enjoy a moment of normality after the terror attack. When Piazza made the famous hit, Ground Zero was still smoldering just miles away. Piazza said of the home run:
Family
As Piazza and Maxie’s conversation turned towards his family, the ballplayer noted the importance of instilling his Catholic faith in his kids. Piazza has three children with his wife Alicia Rickter: Marco, Nicoletta and Paulina. He said of sharing his faith with his family:
Visit Catholic New York to read the full account of Mike Piazza’s talk at the Sheen Center’s “Faith: The Competitive Edge” series.
