Mets Catcher Mike Piazza Calls Press Conference to Deny Gay Rumors (May 22, 2002)

Sports stars regularly call press conferences to dispel rumors about dissention in the clubhouse or deny fathering illegitimate children, but never before had an A-list star spoken to reporters about his sexual orientation - until May 22, 2002.  On that day New York Mets All-Star catcher Mike Piazza held a press conference to end talk running rampant that he was gay. 

 

 

The issue of his orientation may have been brought to a head by an article in Sports Illustrated in which Mets manager Bobby Valentine opined that Major League Baseball might be ready to have openly gay players on team rosters.  Some thought he may have been alluding to Piazza to pave the way for his coming out. 

 

After all, some rumors had him paired with WABC-TV weatherman Sam Champion (now with Good Morning America).  And then there was the time when he went all Jean Harlow and sported a blonde coiffe!  Of course, despite the 34-year old bachelor's denials, and subsequent marriage three years later, some still beg to differ.  

 

 

 

So Piazza's name was added to a list that includes the likes of Ron Reagan, Jr.; Hugh Jackman; Ben Affleck; Bradley Cooper; Richard Gere; Troy Aikman; Isaiah Thomas; Jake Gyllenhaal; Derek Jeter - and a host of others.