Special Feature—Still Talkin' Baseball With Terry Cashman

by Sharon Chapman

The date: September 21, 2001. The place: Shea Stadium. The event: The return of baseball to New York City, ten days after the United States suffered the worst attack upon civilians in its history. After an emotional pregame ceremony, the Mets played a game against their division rivals, the Atlanta Braves. With the home team trailing 2-1 in the 8th inning, All Star catcher Mike Piazza hit a dramatic two-run home run to give the Mets a 3-2 victory. The emotions of that game and the catharsis following New York's come-from-behind win was seen by many as the beginning of the healing process for New Yorkers, as well as for the country.

Flash forward one year later. The date: September 21, 2002. The place: Shea Stadium. The event: I Love New York Night. Recording artist Terry Cashman performs "A Tattered Flag in the Breeze (Michael's Song)," the song inspired by Mike Piazza's healing home run 365 days earlier.

Cashman is best known for his 1981 hit song "Willie, Mickey & 'The Duke' (Talkin' Baseball)." He wrote Michael's Song in the wake of baseball's return to New York last year. For more information about this recording, see our earlier special feature - Talkin' Baseball with Terry Cashman.

In light of Cashman's lifelong devotion to New York National League baseball, it was only fitting that he perform Michael's Song at Shea on the anniversary of the game that gave rise to the ballad. He sang it live during the pregame ceremony while a video about the events of September 11th and the September 21st, 2001 game played on Shea's Diamondvision scoreboard. "The Mets put together a beautiful piece," said Cashman. "When I first saw it during rehearsal [the previous Thursday] I was crying—it was very moving." Cashman also enjoyed performing Michael's Song before the appreciative Shea Stadium crowd. "The reaction from the people was terrific. They remembered the home run and the events that led to it, and they were really into it. Just from a personal perspective, it was a great thrill for me."

Those in attendance that night certainly took notice of Cashman's beautiful song. Phil Gellis from Holbrook, New York says, "What made an impression on me was the crowd around me. In Section 28 of the Mezzanine you could hear a pin drop as the song progressed. By the end there was a palpable sense that we had just been part of something really special."

The Mets are very fortunate to be able to count such a devoted and inspirational resident songwriter as one of its fans.

To order Michael's Song or any of Terry Cashman's other recordings, call 201-750-7198 or visit metrostarrecords.