A Review: Long Shot by Mike Piazza

By Nick Diminich, 2015

A lot of mystery has surrounded Mike Piazza during his career as well as after it. During his playing career, he was surrounded by rumors and controversy, while after it he seemed to disappear until he was denied in his first shot at the Baseball Hall of Fame. No one knew definitively if he was a player who used the performance enhancing drugs, as many stars of his era did, however his numbers were so good he was lumped together with players with far more evidence against them such as Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens. Many of the questions that swirled around him went largely unanswered, until now. 

As a lifelong admirer of Mike Piazza, I went in expecting to like this book but not thoroughly enjoy it, mainly because I expected it to be boring. Memoirs are usually more interesting when the person they are about maintains a larger-than-life bravado before and after his or her prime. I was sorely mistaken.

Although Piazza came from a well-off father and family, he is still somewhat of a rags to riches story, in a different way. He explains his story of barely making it to the Major Leagues as a 62^nd round courtesy pick of Tommy Lasorda, who was a friend of Piazza’s father, and his rise to fame thereafter. For a guy who never said much to the media or other players, his name was thrown into the PED conversation, he had fights and confrontations with other players (most notably Roger Clemens), and rumors came out questioning his sexuality.

These questions brought about candid responses from Piazza throughout the book who evidently had nothing to hide at any time. He doesn’t shy away from controversy and by being straightforward, he might have hurt his future chances at the Hall of Fame. Although his numbers are in another stratosphere offensively, he still searches for vindication, which in his words he would ultimately need the Hall of Fame to do.

There is a personable, relatable, and quirky person underneath the hard shell of a player who “always played angry”. On the field it was hard to see much emotion from him even though he always seemed to be the player that the biggest baseball city in the world had its eyes on. Many say that Piazza refused to tell all in his book but I believe the opposite. Ultimately, what he said may have hurt him, especially in the area of PEDs, but he did not hold back. He makes the point that he never crossed the line into substances that he could not get over the counter, but some Baseball Writers ignore the fact that they were available at local GNC’s and will look at the fact that he took “supplements.” Mark McGwire got annihilated in the media when he took androstenedione, and Piazza admits openly that he used it as well because he could buy it over the counter.

Overall this is a great read especially for baseball fans, and a must read for Mets fans. If you liked Mike Piazza, I think this book will make you appreciate him much more because, after all, how many players come to the Mets and don’t earn the massive contracts they get. He earned every cent. He filled a generation of Mets fans with unforgettable memories and more importantly led the team to their most recent World Series appearance. The backstories he gives about every season he ever played are priceless, and his language makes it feel as if he’s in the room with you telling you stories rather than reading a book. He has his faults and regrets but this book shows you why and how in a sometimes brutally honest way that will make you smile, laugh and cry.  His oddities come out as well as his hard-nosed, play-the-game-like-its-your-last attitude that any baseball fan should respect and admire. He pulled no punches in describing others and his relationships. If you ever had any questions about the aura surrounding Mike Piazza during his time with the Dodgers, Mets, Padres, A’s or after, this is a necessary read. There is in no way a cop-out attitude towards any of the issues that have been brought against him during and after his career. He spearheads every last bit with conviction and believability.

If he ultimately gets what he deserves and is elected to go to the Hall of Fame, he said he wants to wear a Mets hat to “Give Seaver a little company.” Hopefully it happens next January, so in August 2014 Mets fans and others can make the trek to Cooperstown to see the greatest offensive catcher of all-time make his speech and ride off into the sunset like he deserves.

Thanks for everything, Mike.