Piazza jersey from first game after 9/11 continues to inspire

The horrific events of Sept. 11, 2001, tore the world apart.

But less than two weeks later, baseball helped bring it together.

The Mets jersey 2016 Hall of Fame electee Mike Piazza wore on Sept. 21, 2001, in the first game played in New York after tragedy befell the United States, continues to serve as an inspiration for fans around the globe. That night, Piazza’s dramatic eighth inning home run propelled the Mets to a 3-2 victory over Atlanta at Shea Stadium.

The jersey, which rotates among the Hall of Fame, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and Citi Field, is on loan courtesy of Anthony and Carmela Lauto, Anthony Scaramucci, and Jim McCann.

It will be on display starting June 27 at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in an exhibit entitled “Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11.” The exhibit will run through February of 2019.

The Hall of Fame’s collection also contains the “NYPD” hat worn by Mets manager Bobby Valentine and the “FDNY” hat worn by Mets pitcher John Franco on Sept. 21, 2001, as well as a game ticket to the scheduled Sept. 11 game at Yankee Stadium between the Yankees and the Chicago White Sox and a promotional baseball found in the rubble of the World Trade Center by New York City Fire Department Battalion Chief Vin Mavaro In late September of 2001.

The exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum will also feature loaned artifacts from the Hall of Fame including Bobby Valentine’s hat and baseballs signed by New York City Fire and Rescue Workers.
The Piazza jersey is scheduled to return to Cooperstown in the summer of 2019.