Mets HOF Mike Piazza and the city of St. Louis get into (weird) mini-feud

One of the most beloved Mets players of all-time, Mike Piazza, has been in the news over the last week or so for some comments he made about one of the most baseball-rich, but hated cities in the United States.

It was nothing too crazy, of course, but when Piazza was discussing his new career as part owner of a third-tier Italian soccer team with The New York Times, Deadspin noticed he kind of took a shot at the city of St. Louis.

Speaking about why he’d prefer owning an Italian third division club over a professional team in the MLS, Piazza connected his decision to food:

The conversation at halftime turned to the region’s famous gastronomic tradition, or as Piazza called it, “the other reason I bought the team.” He breathlessly cataloged the area’s cured meats: “The prosciutto, the bresaola, the coppa, the mortadella — that’s all here.”Noting that he had met with groups aiming for expansion franchises in Major League Soccer before buying Reggiana, he said: “I’d rather be poor in Italy than based in St. Louis. You can’t get a good meal there!”

Now, I’ve personally never been or eaten in St. Louis, so I can’t attest to the accuracy of that statement, but I’m thinking Piazza might know a thing or two about good eating specially since he now owns part of a club in Italy.

If you thought the story would end there, boy are you wrong.

St. Louis was, of course, offended by the remarks. A local TV station even sent out a camera crew to show of some the city’s cuisine. They even declared Piazza as possibly a new “public enemy number one.”

Things got even weirder for Piazza as he apparently ran into none other than St. Louis’ own Nelly last night while he was out.

The rapper took a pretty great video of him and Piazza having a good time, and promising he’d bring the former catcher down to eat some good food in St. Louis.

Piazza apparently apologized to Nelly for his comment, so hopefully this marks the end of one of the strangest mini-feuds we’ve seen in quite a long time.

Next: Mets aces will their ST debut over the next few days

The Cardinals will forever be one of the most hated teams in baseball, regardless of how the cuisine in St. Louis is. And even if it isn’t great, Mike, you know New York will always have your back with some great food of any kind you’d like.