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Piazza’s proud pop watches son’s call to Hall
- Updated: July 24, 2016
COOPERSTOWN, N.Y. — Vince Piazza said on Sunday morning that he was very tough on his son, Mike, as a kid and budding baseball player growing up in Norristown, Pa.
“It made him tough mentally. I really believe that,” Vince told MLB.com at the famous Otesaga Hotel. “As I look back, maybe that wasn’t the best way of going about it, but here we are today.”
The elder Piazza is 87 years old now and walking with a cane. His son was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on Sunday, along with Ken Griffey Jr., and Vince was in the forefront of the sun-drenched crowd as Mike gave his speech on the stage at the Clark Sports Center.
“He’s a man deeply devoted to his family, and after suffering a major stroke a few years ago, [he’s] stronger-willed than ever,” Mike said about his dad in the speech.
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Asked if this was the proudest day of his long life, Vince Piazza couldn’t answer the question.
For half an hour, Vince was telling stories about his son and how he got to this point. At that moment, he stopped talking and had to fight back the tears. He didn’t cry. He’s as tough as his son. That’s where Mike gets it.
Catching his breath, Vince then continued telling stories.
Mike was the second of five sons in the Piazza family: Vincent Jr., Mike, Danny, Tony and Tommy. The others went to work in their dad’s car sales business, and they remain in and around Norristown. Vince has four grandkids.
“They’re all good kids,” Vince said about his sons. “Thank God. No problems, no drugs. I’m proud of all of them.”
Tommy Lasorda, a lifelong friend of Vince Piazza’s, is the man responsible for Mike being picked in the 62nd round of the 1988 Draft when Lasorda was manager of the Dodgers. On Sunday, Mike became the latest Draft pick ever to be inducted in the Hall.
• Hall-time great: Piazza joins elite
Lasorda and Vince Piazza have known each other …
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