Baseball Helmet
- Description
- Black plastic baseball catcher's helmet with navy blue visor. A blue fabric patch is adhered to the front of the helmet with "NYPD" embroidered in white. "PIAZZA" is printed in white on a small label attached to the front of the visor as well as on the back of the helmet. Piazza also autographed the visor.
- Historical Notes
- The first major sporting event in New York City after 9/11 occurred on September 21 at Shea Stadium as the Mets hosted their longtime rivals, the Atlanta Braves, before a crowd of 40,000. The New York Mets wore caps representing New York City’s first responders. Mike Piazza cut the letters from an NYPD cap and glued them to the catcher’s helmet he wore behind home plate. He later autographed the visor.
Curator's Comment
Mike Piazza’s game-winning home run in the first professional baseball game in New York City after 9/11 provided an emotional lift to the grieving city and nation. Tens of thousands of fans inside Shea Stadium jumped to their feet, waved American flags, and chanted “U-S-A!”
Steve Karsay, the Atlanta Braves pitcher who surrendered the home run, and a native of New York City, said later, “It was a special moment. . . . I think the stars aligned, and it was just meant to be at that particular time in baseball for Piazza to hit a home run.”
Steve Karsay, the Atlanta Braves pitcher who surrendered the home run, and a native of New York City, said later, “It was a special moment. . . . I think the stars aligned, and it was just meant to be at that particular time in baseball for Piazza to hit a home run.”
- Accession Number: C.2017.13.1
- Dimensions: 7 in X 7 in X 12 in
- Dimensions (Metric): 17.78 cm X 17.78 cm X 30.48 cm
- Source: Livio Forte
- Credit Line: Gift of Livio Forte
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