Mike Piazza
interviewed about kids' sports.

.. Mets Magazine: What are your first memories of playing baseball ? Mike Piazza: I was like most kids, my father took me out to the backyard and started pitching to me. I began like most kids, playing just for fun, to be on a team, to be a part of something, to learn about teamwork. When I was about 11 or 12 I realized I had talent and began to apply myself. When I got to high school I knew I had a chance to play professional if I worked hard. I had a great HS career, went to college, did'nt do that well right off the bat. I was able to rebound and perform well enough to get signed by the Dodgers. Then I spent 5 years in the minor leagues. MM: Sounds like a lot of hard work. Mike: Yeah

MM: I heard that you worked with Ted Williams when you were 12 years old. Mike: Yeah! my Father was good friends with a scout in the area who was really close to Ted Williams. He was in the area doing an event...it was a Saturday...he had some free time...he came over, it was great! I was fortunate my father was very close to Tommy Lasorda. He came over, watched me hit, gave me some pointers. To this day that moment was a HUGE event in my life that motivated me to try to improve. MM: You were the 1390th pick in the 1988 Draft, now in the midst of a hall of fame career and, here you are, still working to improve your game as a baseball player. That type of work ethic sends a great message to the kids. Mike: You can always get better. In the majors there is no perfect person, no perfect professional person. True, you are never to old to go back to school and I think you learn a lot by teaching, I love to work with the kids, I've done some good things while teaching that allow me to learn and re-affirm my knowledge of the game. MM: I know. I've experienced the same thing with the kids I work with all the time. Mike: Well I think it is important for kids to play sports for their pride, to socialy interact with other kids. It is very key to a persons development. I was very fortunate to have great council and come from a great family, not all kids are blessed with that opportunity. Playing team sports helps kids grow up to be more productive in many ways. MM: I know you love to catch and it's one of the toughest positions. When did you start playing catcher? Mike: I started when I turned professional. When I was drafted by the Dodgers they had a lot of good 1st base prospects. I had a pretty good arm at that time so Tommy Lasorda thought it was smart for me to move, so I worked. It was tough at the beginning. It took me a while to get comfortable at the position. I worked really hard every day and I enjoyed it too because I saw myself start to get better. MM: That makes you feel good. When you see the progress? Mike: Yeah, exactly! I mean you take raw clay and start to shape it into something and it gives you more incentive to get better and do more. MM: The Met fans are really excited about this year with all the new players. Is your goal to get back to the World Series and win ? Mike: Of course. We know there are some expectations this year, Since I've been here there have been expectations. I think real satisfaction, the real success of this season would be to see a bunch of guys come together and play as a team. That to me is true satisfaction if we can accomplish that. To win as a team, to lose as a team and grow and expect great things from each other. The sort of humility it takes to play for the team, the name on the front of your jersey not the name on the back. I think we have potential to be a great team. MM: We are all rooting for you guys. The young fans are really excited about the season. I would love if you could come down to Pier 40 for a visit, I mean the kids would just love it! Mike: I'd like to. I'll try if I have some free time. Make sure I have all your information. MM: Thanks a lot Mike! Say hello to Bobby Valentine and the rest of the guys. Good Luck this season. ....LETS GO METS!!