Child Porn Charges, Bank Robberies, Villanova Hazmat Top Regional News

A new restaurant will replace Mixx, the health department briefly closed a Dunkin' Donuts and a local police officer was fired. See what else you missed This Week.

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Mike Piazza to Hold Book Signing in Collegeville

The famed catcher, born in Norristown, will promote his new book, 'Long Shot,' at the Towne Book Center on Feb. 13.

Mike Piazza will sign copies of his new book, “Long Shot,” at Towne Book Center in Collegeville on Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. The Norristown-born, Phoenixville-bred catcher’s new autobiography tells his 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. The Towne Book Center, located in the Providence Town Center, is asking that customers RSVP by calling 610-…

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)

Phoenixville's Mike Piazza Snubbed by Baseball Hall of Fame Vote

Piazza's inaugural bid for the Hall of Fame falls short as the Baseball Writers' Association of America fail to elect anyone on the 2013 ballot.

Long regarded as one of the best hitting catchers of all time, Mike Piazza, a Phoenixville High School graduate, has failed in his inaugural bid for enshrinement at the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. In his first year on the ballot, Piazza received 57.8 percent of the vote, which is 98 votes shy of the 75 percent requirement for election, according to the New York Times. Piazza wasn't alone, though, as voters with the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) failed to elect anyone on the 2013 ballot, which featured other big names including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Mark McGwire and Jeff Bagwell. The vote sent a clear message against the use of performance-enhancing drugs, and showed that even players …

•  6 Comments
• Photos (3)

Mike Piazza Returns to Area for Induction Into Philly Sports HOF

The slugger was in town on Thursday.

Retired MLB All-Star Mike Piazza returned to the area to be inducted into the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame last week, Philly.com is reporting. According to the website the slugger, who was placed in the Phoenixville Area High School Hall just three weeks ago, called the November 8 ceremony something he was “really proud of.” "A huge part of forming my appreciation for sports—and watching the great teams of Philadelphia as a kid—allowed me to get the attitude of the city and helped me with my career as well." Read the full story here.

•  5 Comments
• Photos (1)

Mike Piazza Honored in Saturday Ceremony

The former All-Star had his number retired by PAHS.

12-time Major League Baseball All-Star Mike Piazza came home this weekend to have his number retired by alma-matter Phoenixville High School. “The tradition here is really strong,” Piazza told the Times Herald after the Saturday ceremony at Kennedy Field. “That helped me achieve what I did.” What he achieved was this: win National League Rookie of the Year honors in 1993, twice finish second in MVP voting, take ten Silver Slugger awards, and retire in 2007 with the Oakland Athletics as baseball’s all-time leader in home runs from the catcher position. "I really appreciate coming back here and looking back on my career and seeing all the people who supported me,” the slugger told an assemblage of players, coaches, parents, and fans. “I love…

•  5 Comments
• Photos (27)

Mike Piazza to Have Jersey Retired Following Phantoms Game

The former All-Star will be in town for the April 28 event.

This Saturday, one of Phoenixville’s favorite sons is coming home. 12-time MLB All-Star Mike Piazza, who played for the Phantoms in 1985 and 1986, will be on hand to have his jersey number retired in a ceremony following that morning’s game at Doc Kennedy field against Perkiomen Valley.  “He’ll be talking with the kids beforehand, and at noon we’ll have a ceremony,” high school director of student activities and athletics Anthony Palladino told Patch. After Saturday, never again will a Phantom wear number “13,” which makes it only one of many things Piazza did that are effectively unrepeatable. After being drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the 1,390th pick in the 62nd round of the 1988 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft—and then …

•  3 Comments
• Photos (1)