I dont advocate going for the head unless it is warranted. Most people think it is never warranted, I disagree. Is it lifethreatening, not really almost all the time, is it scary, you betcha. But what he did to Piazza was unwarranted, you are right. Piazza did nothing but be the best Mets hitter coming into that game and Clemens went right for the dome. Then he threw the bat at him.
But for me, I had a few long ones hit off me when I pitched. One kid, who got drafted in the second round, drilled one that still hasnt landed, and he watched it, big time. I hit him right in the helmet the next time out. He huffed and puffed and was all pissed off at me, but he knew never to stare at another one again. And he got his chance a couple more times, man could that kid hit.