Programming note: Watch the re-air of Stephen Piscotty's emotional home run on May 15, 2018, against the Red Sox tonight at 8 p.m. on NBC Sports California.
“That home run for me is by far at the top of the list as far as memorable moments.”
A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty sat down with NBC Sports California’s Brodie Brazil about one home run that meant more than just a ball going over the Green Monster on an 0-2 pitch.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
Piscotty had just returned from the bereavement list following the death of his mother, Gretchen, and was on his way to join his team in Boston. Gretchen had passed on May 7, 2018, after a long battle with ALS.
“It was an interesting day,” he said, detailing the moments that led up to the May 15 game.
Piscotty remembers getting on the plane from California, and speaking to A’s manager Bob Melvin as well as members of the front office about how he would arrive at Fenway Park.
The original plan was that he wasn't going to play that night. He would take some batting practice, and ease his way back into it.
Athletics
Find the latest Athletics news, highlights, analysis and more with NBC Sports Bay Area and California.
Melvin had a different idea. The conversation went a different way.
“It was something along the lines of ‘Be ready to go tonight,’” Piscotty laughed.
He wasn’t one to say no.
It was a storybook kind of display at the plate. Melvin said there was something in the air after the game, probably Gretchen.
[RELATED: Fiers gifted Laureano, Profar for preserving no-hitter]
“I had no business hitting a home run right there, that was absolutely my mom coming through for me,” he said. “I could just tell she was right there with me.”
You can relive that moment in the video atop the post.