If you were a 17-year old looking to meet Mike Piazza, your childhood idol and favorite baseball player, what would you do? If you're Ryan Leli, you make some fake press credentials, sneak into Shea Stadium, participate in some Q&A with Piazza, and then pose for pictures. That's what Leli, from Head of the Harbor, did last August when Piazza was visiting with the San Diego Padres. Padres officials became suspicious of Leli when he asked Piazza to pose for a photo with him. The would-be reporter was only arrested when he attempted to gain press access to Shea a second time (!).
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, showing that they truly believe in protecting Piazza, even now that's he's a Padre.
Sunday, Mike Piazza agreed to a $2 million contract to return to the state where he began his Major League career, signing a one-year contract with the San Diego Padres. Staying in the National League, the 37-year old, joins the defending NL West champs and, according to his agent, was told that he could "catch as much as he wanted to." How much might that be? Reportedly about 90-100 games behind the plate as well as some action at 1st base and being the DH during interleague play.
The offense was supplied by Jose Reyes's speed, and RBIs by Carlos Beltran and Mike Piazza. Reyes had three singles and three (!!!) stolen bases, Beltran had his first hit since returning to the line-up Tuesday, and Piazza continues to look better after some dismal times earlier this season.
Wells has always been a fan favorite at Yankee Stadium, but with his antics, he could be a perfect target for the bleacher creatures. Pitching perfect games drunk, wearing Babe Ruth's hat during a game and asking for his number, getting in fights, being so round that his uniform is hardly buttoned.
The game also marked the return of former Yankee David Wells returned to loud cheers from the fans at Yankee stadium. Wells pitched a stellar 7 innings, scattering 5 hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. His Yankee counterpart, Javier Vazquez pitched 8 innings and gave up 2 runs on 6 hits and 8 strikeouts.
The debate over the West Side stadium plan for the Jets is ongoing. If it gets built, there will most likely be a corporate name slapped onto it. With so many companies calling the New York Region home, and what's sure to be a high-profile stadium, the naming rights for it could be quite costly. A March article from Bloomberg had fees in range of $7-10 million per year. Over 30 years, the naming fees could amount to $300 while the stadium itself would cost $800 million. The money obviously isn't upfront, but it would certainly help the bottom line of Jets owner Woody Johnson and provide a nice stream of revenue, assuming the sponsor doesn't go bankrupt.



