REGGIO EMILIA, Italy — Mike Piazza was jet-lagged and hungry, though you wouldn’t have known it from his smile as he navigated the obstacle course of hugs, kisses and handshakes.
“Hey! Ciao! Good to see you!” he said.
It has been 10 years since Piazza, 48, retired from baseball as one of the best-hitting catchers in history. It is common for stars of his stature to try out second careers in broadcasting, or simply to luxuriate in endless rounds of golf. Piazza last year decided he would become the majority owner of a third-division Italian soccer club, Reggiana.