Piazza Followup

Josh and Coach correctly recalled a great Mike Piazza moment.
On September 16th, 1998 (two weeks after the storm) the Mets were 85-68 and making a run for the wild card.
They were trailing 2-0 in the top of the 9th inning against the Astros.
Piazza hit a 3-run homer against Billy Wagner to give the Mets the lead. Dennis Cook gave up the tying run in the bottom of the 9th.
I remember hiding my eyes beneath a pillow when Greg McMichael came in for the 10th. He walked 3 guys but didn't give up a run.
In the top of the 11th Todd Hundley came off the bench to hit a blast to give the Mets the lead, and eventually the win.
The win put the Mets half a game behind the Cubs for the wild card, but they fell just short. That was the year my dad and brother lined up to buy playoff tickets and were featured in the Staten Island Advance.
It was not to be in 1998, but of course the Mets made the playoffs in 1999 and advanced to the World Series in 2000.
Definitely a great Piazza moment, but not as good when he had to hold a press conference to deny rumors that he was gay and had bought a house in the suburbs with Sam Champion.

If you are impressed by my recall of the events of that day more than 7 years ago you can see for yourself in the box score.