A Spring Training Interview with Mike Piazza

Mar/26/07 09:14 AM Filed in: Mike Piazza
After a Spring Training game on Thursday, March 22 against the Kansas City Royals, Baseball Digest Daily writer Scott Edelman caught up with Oakland A’s designated hitter/catcher Mike Piazza in the visiting clubhouse at Surprise Stadium in Arizona.  After a 2006 rebound season with San Diego, in which he batted .283 with 22 home runs and 68 rbi in 126 games, Piazza signed a one-year, $8.5 million contract with the Oakland A’s.  Early results appear to be promising – as of March 25, Piazza has a spring batting average of .395 with 3 home runs and 15 rbi in 16 games. 

One of the more interesting observations prior to the interview was watching the younger players on the team interact with Piazza as he was at his locker.  It was obvious that they idolize him.  One player made a joke that could be heard throughout the locker room, but his eyes were fixed on Piazza waiting to see if the baseball legend would laugh – when Piazza laughed louder than anyone it was apparent it made his teammate’s day.  Another young player passed behind Piazza quietly singing a heavy metal song.  Piazza spun around and started screaming out the song and the two of them finished out the verse in high volume, smiling face to face.  On that afternoon, the future Hall of Famer certainly lived up to his reputation as a very friendly, approachable character who is also a great person and teammate.
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