Vince Piazza tried his best.
He wanted his son’s historic post-9/11 Mets jersey to go to the National Baseball Hall of Fame along with Mike when the catcher is inducted July 24.
But Vince said he will not get involved in a bidding war over a precious artifact the Mets let slip through their fingers.
“I was willing to pay $86,000, even go up to $90,000, write the check on the spot, and send the jersey to Cooperstown,’’ Vince told the Post on Friday. “But I can see what is going on here, this is just a bidding war. I’m not getting involved in that, so I’m out.’’
It didn’t take Vince long to grow uncomfortable being caught in the middle of the high-stakes auction.
On Thursday, the autographed jersey had a high bid of $86,000. Just 12 hours later, the jersey is at $141,000 on GoldinAuctions.com. In just a few days, the jersey has soared $100,000 — with more than three weeks to go.
“I’m not going to be put in the middle of this, for this thing to be in a bidding war, I am not going to get involved,” Vince said in a somber voice.
Vince wanted the jersey to go to Cooperstown, where every baseball fan in the world could walk up and see the iconic jersey that meant so much to New York City and the country after the attacks of that fateful day.
On Thursday, before the price skyrocketed, Vince told The Post: “My God, it’s not right what is going on here. That thing belongs in the Hall of Fame. It belongs to all the fans of baseball. That home run was so important not only for New York, but for the entire country.
“When Mike hit that home run, it lit the whole city up again,’’ Vince said of the Sept. 21 homer against the Braves at Shea Stadium. “The city was dark and that turned the lights on again. It’s a historic home run and I know how much it means to Mike.
“That jersey belongs in the Hall of Fame.’’
The Mets sold the jersey in a private sale three years ago, and earlier this week in a statement to The Post admitted their colossal mistake.
“We made a mistake in selling the jersey and Jeff [Wilpon] called Mike to express our regret in so doing,’’ a Mets spokesperson said. “We have dedicated a section in the Mets Hall of Fame and Museum to celebrate Mike’s achievements and his induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and are exploring memorabilia to display in that area.
“We can’t verify the item being auctioned, but can confirm that our memorabilia group sold a jersey that meets this description, which was not authenticated with respect to game use.’’
Yes, the Mets made some money for the historic jersey, and now the cost for the jersey continues to soar for the next buyer. Perhaps the jersey will wind up at the 9/11 Memorial Museum, but Vince Piazza is out.
“I wanted to do the right thing,’’ Vince said. “But I don’t want to be in a bidding war. I love baseball and I love the fans. That’s why I wanted this to go to the Hall of Fame.’’