by Mike Piazza
First published 2013
Mike Piazza opens his story as a long shot prospect, drafted dead last by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988 as a favor to his father. The team expected nothing from him. Piazza had different plans. He clawed his way through the minor leagues and transformed himself into baseball's most dangerous offensive catcher. The Dodgers never fully embraced him as their franchise player, so he found a new home with the New York Mets. There he faced Roger Clemens in the heated 2000 World Series against the Yankees. Piazza confronted steroid accusations that shadowed his era of baseball. He dealt with persistent rumors about his personal life. After September 11th, he delivered a crucial home run that helped heal a wounded city. Throughout his twelve All Star selections and record breaking career, Piazza battled doubters who questioned whether his success was real. This autobiography reveals the man behind the statistics, the pressure of performing in New York, and the cost of chasing the American dream through baseball.
Genres: biography, autobiography, sports, baseball
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, underdog
Setting: Los Angeles, New York, New York Mets
Period: 2000 World Series, September 11th
374 pages · Hardcover · Simon & Schuster
Content warnings: addiction