Mike Piazza Brings Record Crowd to Towne Book Signing [PHOTOS]

Hundreds of fans stood in a winding line along the perimeter of the Towne Book Center for a chance to meet a local baseball hero, Mike Piazza, who is in town signing his new book “Long Shot.”

Bernie Schneider, a local resident, brought his son A.J. to meet Piazza, who was born in Norristown and grew up in Phoenixville.

Schneider talked to Piazza about playing together in local baseball leagues in the mid-1980s, and showed the Hall of Fame hopeful a photo of A.J.’s room, decked out in Mets apparel and a big picture of Piazza

“He said he really liked the fields we used to play at in Skippack,” Schneider said.

Other fans traveled as far as northern New Jersey, Mets country, to catch a glimpse of their star.

Chris Penaherrara, originally from New Jersey, left his home in Center City at 4:30 to get in line at the bookstore.

“I love the Mets,” Penaherrara, who was donning a jersey, said.

Roughly 20 minutes into the two-hour signing, Towne Book Center owner P.K. Swindani said this marked the biggest Towne Book Center signing to date, having sold roughly 500 books between pre-sales and in-store purchases.

“Long Shot” tells Piazza’s story of being selected in the 1988 baseball draft as a 62nd round “courtesy pick,” end eventually becoming the greatest-hitting catcher in the history of baseball.

In the book, Piazza discusses his local upbringing, his 2000 World Series with the Yankees, the steroid controversy, gay rumors, and the thrill of hitting the game-winning homerun on Sept. 21 2001, the first game in New York after Sept. 11, 2001, according to the book description.

To purchase the book, visit the Towne Book Center’s website.