Long Shot

By: Mike Piazza, Lonnie Wheeler

Narrated by: Holter Graham, Mike Piazza

Length: 15 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

Mike Piazza’s autobiography - the candid story of the greatest hitting catcher in the history of baseball, from his inauspicious draft selection to his Hall of Fame-worthy achievements, and the unusual controversies that marked his career.

Mike Piazza was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 62nd round of the 1988 baseball draft as a "courtesy pick". The Dodgers never expected him to play for them - or anyone else. Mike had other ideas. Overcoming his detractors, he became the National League Rookie of the Year in 1993, broke the record for season batting average by a catcher, holds the record for career home runs at his position, and was selected as an All Star 12 times.

Mike was groomed for baseball success by his ambitious, self-made father in Pennsylvania, a classic father-son American-dream story. With the Dodgers, Piazza established himself as baseball’s premier offensive catcher; but the team never seemed willing to recognize him as the franchise player he was. He joined the Mets and led them to the memorable 2000 World Series with their cross-town rivals, the Yankees. Mike tells the story behind his dramatic confrontation with Roger Clemens in that series. He addresses the steroid controversy that hovered around him and Major League Baseball during his time and provides valuable perspective on the subject. Mike also addresses the rumors of being gay and describes the thrill of his game-winning home run on September 21, 2001, the first baseball game played in New York after the 9/11 tragedy. Along the way, he tells terrific stories about teammates and rivals that baseball fans will devour.

Long Shot is told with insight, candor, humor, and charm. It’s surprising and inspiring, one of the great sports autobiographies.

©2013 Simon & Schuster (P)2013 Mike Piazza

Long shot delivers

The story of how Piazza overcame many obstacles and controversies to become a Hall of Fame baseball player. It’s heartwarming and poignant in respect to the different aspects of his career. Well read and flirting story.

Enjoyable Listen For Any Baseball Fan

What did you love best about Long Shot?

Getting to learn a little more about one of my favorite Baseball players. Reminiscing about the days the Mets were winning.

Which scene was your favorite?

The recap of the grand slam single. Also the review of the 9/11 game brought back memories and gave me goose bumps.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

A long shot with a big bat.

Any additional comments?

I'm a Piazza fan. I enjoyed the heck out of the book. I think Mike did a great job of explaining a lot of his thought process, as well as having some of my questions concerning the Mets and Piazza answered.Lets face it if the hall does not call... "There's something wrong with us, something very, very wrong with us."Last but not least... LETS GO METS!!

True Underdog

It’s difficult to see Mike as an underdog. However, his path to the majors was just that. It’s interesting to hear Mike be a fish out of water and discuss some of the happenings in the game. Definitely a listen for baseball fans.

Amazing!!!

What did you love best about Long Shot?

I loved that Mike was very candid about his career and treatment. I have been a fellow fan for years and always wondered what makes him tick and what he was thinking in the moments that made baseball history. I lived the moments as a fan going to the Met games that he is describing and had a breat time reliving them now.

This a must download for any New Yorker and baseball fan.

An Inspiration For Everyone

Any additional comments?

If you love baseball stories and overcoming adversity, this book is for you. He takes you from his early days hitting balls in his backyard right through the major league. Amazing how such a standout player can be overlooked by everyone in baseball, as he was drafted as a favor to his father in the 62nd round by the LA Dodgers. His hard work, perseverance, and belief in himself eventually carried the day. Mikes's language can be a little rough at times for very young readers, but it does fit the context of his story. I especially liked it because Mike is the narrator which makes it more personal. Aspiring young players will get a mental boost from listening to this program.

In His Own Words

Mike has always been a thrill, and he delivers here with a good book. ‘Always been a fan and am glad to have found this. The man set many records and added some new ones clearing the fences more often than anyone, ever in personal pronouns. Despite that, i was moved by how much he was affected by tabloid stuff. From here - having followed his entire career - he never came off looking bad, and we heard all that noise. My impression is he’s a really solid guy, with a good honest story, who overdoes it defending himself in this book, because he thought he had to even though he didn’t, and it’s still a good book.

Piazza!

What an amazing story of Mike’s life. Mets fan or Baseball fan, it doesn’t matter; this is a great book!

Great book

Great book. I was a little worried at the beginning when piazza was reading the book himself, but that subsided by chapter two. Excellent insight into the mindset that it takes to compete at the games highest level when he(piazza) was the one who knew he could.

Loved this book

Where does Long Shot rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

In the top 10

What was one of the most memorable moments of Long Shot?

I watched Piazza through his career and enjoy knowing the inside stuff. Listening to this book brought back a lot of memories. Wasn't just any one thing, but the tales of his interactions with Eric Karros gave a chuckle. I laughed out loud at many of them.

Which character – as performed by Holter Graham and Mike Piazza – was your favorite?

MP for sure

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Holter Graham was the perfect choice for narrator.

Mike Piazza Fan

Uncovers a lot of stuff I never knew about him. Is he the player I thought he was? Absolutely not. Do I have more respect for him for not pretending he was from a background he wasn’t? Absolutely. I’ll love Mikey until I die.