Before the start of the 2006 baseball season, my nephew purchased tickets to several games planning to attend with his mother (my sister) and father. Since making the purchases, he applied to graduate school, got accepted to grad school, graduated from college and started graduate school classes at night while working as a newspaper reporter during the day.

Why am I telling you this and what does it have to do with the blog title?

Because of his class schedule, the poor kid can't attend some of the games he bought tickets for. When that happens, I take his place. This past Tuesday was one of those games and it was a special one. I wish he could have attended, but I am glad I got to go.

Mike Piazza made his first appearance at Shea since signing with the San Diego Padres after the Mets didn't bother to resign him after last season. My sister and I got to Shea in time to see part of batting practice. When Piazza came out to take his turn, the slowly growing crowd cheered. Closer to game time, he reappeared wearing his catcher's gear to warm up with the rest of the Padres. More cheers. Just before the game, the Mets (in a great show of class) played a video tribute to Mike's days with the team.

Using the Beatles song In My Life as the music, Mike's great plays during his years with the Mets were played for the crowd. The Padres started back to their dugout during showing and several stopped to watch, including Mike. Of course, the highlights included the awesome home run he hit on September 21, 2001 when baseball returned after the events of 9/11. That one moment did more to lift spirits in NYC than it seemed possible. Yes, it was only a baseball game and, yes, it was just one home run among many that he hit as a Met, but that one act let us know that we could come back and things would get better, although they'd never be the same.

There are two former Mets on the 2006 San Diego Padres. The other is Mike Cameron and he precedes Mike Piazza in the Padre batting order. Cameron was a popular player in New York and his first at bat brought cheers from the crowd. He was the third out in the first. Mike Piazza's first turn at bat led of the second and brought the crowd to its feet. He tipped his hat more than once before taking his place in the batter's box. Most of the crowd remained standing for the entire at bat and he was cheered as he returned to the dugout despite being on the opposing team.

Many fans had signs to express their feelings for the former Mets. Lots of them simply read Welcome home, Mike. One said, Mike Cameron - the best smile in baseball. My favorite was Wish you were here held by a woman in the field boxes behind the Padres' dugout.

After his last at-bat in the game, the crowd gave Mike Piazza another standing ovation as he headed back to the Padre dugout. Everyone knew we were watching a future Hall of Famer. I hope he goes in as a Met.

There are places I remember
All my life though some have changed 
Some forever not for better 
Some have gone and some remain 
All these places have their moments 
With lovers and friends I still can recall 
Some are dead and some are living 
In my life I've loved them all 

But of all these friends and lovers 
There is no one compares with you 
And these memories lose their meaning 
When I think of love as something new 
Though I know I'll never lose affection 
For people and things that went before 
I know I'll often stop and think about them 
In my life I love you more 

Though I know I'll never lose affection 
For people and things that went before 
I know I'll often stop and think about them 
In my life I love you more 
In my life I love you more

In My Life by Lennon and McCartney