logo
Baseball Legend Mike Piazza Finally Reacts to Song That Immortalized 2002 Rumors He Was Gay

Baseball Legend Mike Piazza Finally Reacts to Song That Immortalized 2002 Rumors He Was Gay

Yahoo05-05-2025
Mike Piazza, then a catcher for the New York Mets, was the subject of 2002 rumors he was gay, which he denied
A year later, the indie band Belle and Sebastian released the song 'Piazza, New York Catcher,' which immortalized the rumors in its lyrics
In a new interview, Piazza reacted to the song for the first time
Back in 2002, Mike Piazza was the All-Star catcher for the New York Mets. He was also the subject of tabloid rumors about his sexuality, which claimed he was gay and in the closet. In May of that year, Piazza, now 56, ended up giving a press conference, telling reporters, 'I'm not gay. I'm heterosexual. I can't control what people think. I can say I'm heterosexual. I date women. That's pretty much it,' per SB Nation.
But those gay rumors live on in one odd way: through the 2003 song 'Piazza, New York Catcher' by the Scottish band Belle and Sebastian. In the second verse, singer and songwriter Stuart Murdoch (a Mets fan) sings, 'Piazza, New York catcher, are you straight or are you gay?' Now, Piazza is finally addressing the classic indie love song (which also appeared on the soundtrack for the 2007 movie Juno) for the first time.
Piazza told New York Magazine in an interview published April 28 that the song makes him feel, 'flattered, obviously.' He explained, 'I don't know, man, as you get older, you just don't get as wrapped up in those things, or you just don't have the energy, really.' Piazza married Alicia Rickter in 2005, and they share two children.
Piazza also noted that he was named-dropped in the 2004 Beastie Boys song '3 the Hard Way,' which features the line, 'I said, oops, gotcha, clutch like Piazza.' (One of the group's co-founders, Adam "MCA" Yauch, was a Mets fan.) Piazza said of the Beastie Boys, 'My son likes them, even though it's dirty. I like the clean version. But any time you're remembered in pop culture like that, it's nice.'
Piazza — who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016 and is also known for his time as a Los Angeles Dodger — said that today, a lot of younger people know him because he's included as a 'legend' in the video game MLB: The Show.
Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
'One time, I was giving a clinic and a kid goes, 'Are you Mike Piazza?' ... He goes, 'Man, you got a lot of power.' I said, 'Oh, thanks, dude,' ' he remembered. 'He's like, 'Yeah. Are you surprised?' It was really funny having an 11-year-old kid who was born after I retired talk about me in that way. Hey, I'll take it. Believe me — it's nice to be remembered.'
As for Murdoch, 56, he told Rolling Stone in 2016 about including Piazza and his infamous rumors in the song that he became a fan of the player the first time he went to a Mets game in the late '90s. 'I was almost instantly drawn to Piazza. That's the thing about him; he was a talisman wherever he went. He was the kind of player people tended to follow, and we thought he was a good guy,' he said.
Related: Songwriter Reveals One of Rihanna's No. 1 Hits Features Many '80s Song Titles Hidden in Its Lyrics
The song 'Piazza, New York Catcher' was about Murdoch's long-distance relationship with his now-wife. As for including the rumor in the song, he said, 'It almost kind of went into the song as a way of holding a mirror up to gossipy society. The way people talked about that stuff, I didn't give a s--- ... It never occurred to me that I might become part of the problem.'
Read the original article on People
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

‘Outlander' star Sam Heughan debuts shocking new look ahead of Starz show's final season
‘Outlander' star Sam Heughan debuts shocking new look ahead of Starz show's final season

New York Post

time16 minutes ago

  • New York Post

‘Outlander' star Sam Heughan debuts shocking new look ahead of Starz show's final season

Sam Heughan is ready for his next chapter. The actor, 45, debuted a new hairstyle while at San Diego Comic-Con to promote season 8 of 'Outlander' on Friday. Although his character Jamie Fraser is known for his long locks, Heughan opted for a buzz cut in the off-season. Advertisement 9 Sam Heughan debuts his new 'do at the 'Outlander' panel at Comic-Con. John Salangsang/Shutterstock 9 Sam Heughan in 'Outlander.' ©Starz! Movie Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection Along with his shorter hairstyle, the Scottish actor rocked blonde facial hair. Advertisement Heughan was joined on the Comic-Con stage by his co-stars Sophie Skelton (Brianna MacKenzie) and Richard Rankin (Roger MacKenzie) and the series' executive producers Matthew B. Roberts and Maril Davis. While on the panel, Starz dropped a teaser trailer for the eighth and final season, which won't hit the air until 2026. 9 Sam Heughan rocks a buzz cut on stage. Albert L. Ortega/Shutterstock In a video shared to X by Deadline, Heughan admitted he had no idea what he was getting himself into by joining the period piece. Advertisement 'I think Jamie didn't know what he was getting into either. I think if you look back now, it's like, 'What if he hadn't met Claire, that woman?' But what a wonderful journey we've been on,' he said. 'We were just talking about the first time we came to Comic Con. It was just eye-opening for us to see this amazing fandom; thank you so much.' 9 Heughan at the 'Outlander' panel. John Salangsang/Shutterstock The 'Couple Next Door' star took a moment to praise the fandom that has stood by the series since its inception in 2014. 'You've been with us this whole journey, we've created this amazing family. So it's been hard, that we're saying this might be our last Comic-Con, but who knows?' Heughan teased. 'And it's just been such an amazing journey to go on with these incredible cast and the crew and, of course, amazing writers as well. So we're very thankful.' Advertisement Touching on Jamie's fate in season 8, Heughan told the crowd that he is 'seeing the development of the character, being more fragile, having more to lose, having lost Claire about 50 times, he knows what it is to lose her, and he will do anything to stop it. So, yeah, it's been an amazing journey.' 9 Sam Heughan dishes on season 8 of Outlander. John Salangsang/Shutterstock Meanwhile, Caitríona Balfe, who portrays Claire Fraser, was unable to attend in person. 'I'm sorry I'm not there with you,' she told the audience in a pre-recorded message. 'I really wish I could be, but unfortunately, I'm filming something at the moment, and the schedule just wouldn't allow it. So I offer my sincerest apologies. But I know that you're in very, very capable hands with Sam and Sophie and Richard and Marin and Matt. I'm sending you all love.' Balfe, 45, continued, 'We have shared many a good time in Hall H together. I seem to recall vaguely, some drinking, some dancing, maybe some Irish dancing. There have been so many amazing memories, but it's not done yet.' 9 Sam Heughan at 2025 Comic-Con. Getty Images Addressing the fans directly, the actress said, 'I am so excited for you to see the final part of this journey that we've all been on together for eight seasons, 12 years, which has meant so much to all of us. I know I'll see you in the coming months before the show airs, and I'll be looking forward to seeing you all in person. But for today, have the greatest day, and I'm so sorry again.' The panel also debuted a look at the new 'Outlander' prequel series, 'Blood of My Blood,' which explores the love stories of Jamie Fraser's parents, Ellen MacKenzie and Brian Fraser, and Claire Beauchamp's parents, Julia Moriston and Henry Beauchamp. Advertisement 9 Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan in 'Outlander.' ©Starz! Movie Channel/Courtesy Everett Collection 9 Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall, right, and Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser. AP As a new era of 'Outlander' takes off Heughan revealed he didn't walk away from filming the final season empty-handed. 'I did steal some things, but I was gifted a full Jamie Fraser. So I have his boots, his kilt, his jacket, his hat and wig,' he told The Post in January. Advertisement Heughan even took one of the prosthetic scars he wore on his back from when Jamie got whipped in his youth. 9 Claire Randall (Caitriona Balfe) and Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan). © 2014 Sony Pictures Television 'That's been framed, and is on my wall,' he gushed. 'Blood of My Blood' premieres Aug 8 on Starz.

What hats are Mets wearing? See their Hall of Fame caps vs SF Giants this weekend
What hats are Mets wearing? See their Hall of Fame caps vs SF Giants this weekend

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

What hats are Mets wearing? See their Hall of Fame caps vs SF Giants this weekend

Major League Baseball is honoring its past throughout this Hall of Fame Induction weekend. As part of the celebration, teams across the league are wearing special caps from Friday through Sunday that give a nod to their history. The Mets, who are visiting the San Francisco Giants this weekend, are wearing a hat that features a wider NY logo and a blue button at the top. As described by this version of the Mets hat was worn from 1962-92. The Mets won their World Series championships in 1969 and 1986. The Giants' all-black cap displays the team's logo from 1947–82. As described by this cap design was never actually worn before, but allows the franchise to pay tribute to both its New York City and San Francisco eras. The hats, which are made by New Era, also feature the National Baseball Hall of Fame logo on the side. When is Baseball Hall of Fame Induction? Date: Sunday, July 27 Time: 1:30 p.m. TV: MLB Network Baseball's Hall of Fame induction ceremony, which includes Yankees great CC Sabathia, will be held at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown. This article originally appeared on NY Mets wearing Hall of Fame caps vs San Francisco Giants this weekend

The Latest: Trump leaves for Scotland to inaugurate a new golf course in Aberdeenshire
The Latest: Trump leaves for Scotland to inaugurate a new golf course in Aberdeenshire

Hamilton Spectator

time9 hours ago

  • Hamilton Spectator

The Latest: Trump leaves for Scotland to inaugurate a new golf course in Aberdeenshire

President Donald Trump will travel to Scotland on Friday as his family's business prepares for the Aug. 13 opening of a new golf course in Aberdeenshire billed as 'the greatest 36 holes in golf.' While there, Trump will talk trade with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, a meeting he's said will take place at 'probably one of my properties.' Using this week's presidential overseas trip — with its sprawling entourage of advisers, White House and support staffers, Secret Service agents and reporters — to help show off Trump-brand golf destinations demonstrates how the president has become increasingly comfortable intermingling his governing pursuits with promoting his family's business interests. Here's the latest: Seeing yellow: Massive police presence highly visible ahead of Trump's visit to Scotland It may not be typical golf attire, but one of the most ubiquitous outfits seen on Trump's golf course Friday ahead of his visit was the reflective yellow vest worn by Scottish police. The standard issue garb that's far removed from the traditional Turnberry tartan was highly visible on the dunes, the beaches and the grass as thousands of officers secured the course in advance of protests planned during the president's visit to two of his Scottish golf resorts . Trump was expected to arrive Friday evening to a mix of respect and ridicule. His visit requires a major police operation that will cost Scottish taxpayers millions of pounds as protests are planned over the weekend. The union representing officers is concerned they are already overworked and will be diverted from their normal duties. ▶ Read more about the security around Trump's Scotland visit 'South Park' co-creator jokes he's 'terribly sorry' over premiere that drew White House anger 'South Park' co-creator Trey Parker had the briefest of responses Thursday to anger from the White House over the season premiere of the animated institution, which showed a naked President Trump in bed with Satan. 'We're terribly sorry,' Parker said, followed by a long, deadpan-comic stare. Parker was asked for his reaction to the fracas as he sat on the stage at San Diego's Comic-Con International at the beginning of a Comedy Central animation panel that also included his 'South Park' partner Matt Stone, 'Beavis and Butt-Head' creator Mike Judge, and actor Andy Samberg, who co-created the animated 'Digman!' Earlier in the day, the White House issued a statement on the 27th season premiere, which aired Wednesday night. 'This show hasn't been relevant for over 20 years and is hanging on by a thread with uninspired ideas in a desperate attempt for attention,' White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers said in the statement. 'President Trump has delivered on more promises in just six months than any other president in our country's history — and no fourth-rate show can derail President Trump's hot streak.' ▶ Read more about Trump and 'South Park' Trump's schedule, according to the White House 8 a.m. ET — Trump is set to depart for Scotland 3:20 p.m. ET — Trump arrives in Scotland Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store