Written by Kevin Kernan at NewYorkPost.com
When Mike Piazza hit that historic home run after 9/11, it lifted up a city in tears.
The Mets game jersey Piazza wore that September night is being sold to the highest bidder in an online auction that began Monday, and Piazza is terribly pained by it all.
“I’m very disappointed with the situation regarding my game jersey from September 21st, 2001,’’ Piazza told The Post on Tuesday, his first comments regarding the iconic jersey.
“I’ve expressed my feelings to Jeff [Wilpon] and the Mets. And while it never should have left Citi Field, they have assured me that contact with the seller has been made and they are making a concerted effort to get the jersey back. I’m hopeful that an agreement can be reached and we can give back to the fans and all New Yorkers a piece of that evening that was more than just a game.’’
This is a jersey the Mets never should have sold in the first place. This is a relic, it is not simply a baseball jersey. The Mets sold it three years ago as part of a private sale.
The buyer allowed the Mets to show it on loan in their museum at Citi Field. But now, with Piazza entering the National Baseball Hall of Fame in July, the jersey could become the highest-selling jersey in Mets history — perhaps the highest-selling modern-day jersey of all time — and could wind up anywhere.
For their part, the Mets acknowledged a mistake was made, with a team spokesman offering this statement to The Post on Tuesday:
“We made a mistake in selling the jersey and Jeff called Mike to express our regret in so doing,’’ the statement said. “We have dedicated a section in the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum to celebrate Mike’s achievements and his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and are exploring memorabilia to display in that area.
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