Yankees Mark 9/11 Anniversary With Pregame Ceremony

The New York Yankees and New York Mets gathered at Yankee Stadium for a pregame ceremony honoring the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. Key members of the 2001 Yankees team, including former shortstop Derek Jeter, participated in the event alongside family members of individuals killed in the tragedy.

First Pitches and Personal Connections

The pregame tribute concluded with ceremonial first pitches thrown by Brielle Saracini and Sean McGuire, a married couple who both lost their fathers in the 2001 attacks when they were 10 years old. Saracini’s father, Victor Saracini, was the captain of United Airlines Flight 175, while McGuire’s father, Patrick McGuire, was working on the 84th floor of the World Trade Center.

Saracini first established a connection with Jeter shortly after the tragedy by sending him a letter. Jeter invited her family to a game, beginning a relationship that has lasted a quarter-century. During a subsequent battle with cancer, Saracini received supportive audio messages from Jeter that helped her through her recovery. Saracini and McGuire later met at a support camp for children who lost parents on Sept. 11 and married in September 2017.

On-Field Tributes and Game Details

Players from both teams wore caps paying tribute to local first responders during the game. Saracini’s ceremonial pitch was caught by outfielder Cody Bellinger, whose father, Clay Bellinger, played for the 2001 Yankees before becoming a firefighter in Arizona. First baseman Paul Goldschmidt caught the throw from McGuire.

Following the ceremony, the Yankees defeated the Mets 6-4. Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon surrendered two runs, with one earned, over six and one-third innings. Cody Bellinger hit a three-run home run to contribute to the win.

Reflections from Sports Figures

Former Yankees manager Joe Torre and former pitcher Mariano Rivera joined Jeter on the field for the commemoration. Current Yankees manager Aaron Boone described participating in the pregame proceedings as a “huge honor.” Boone noted the role sports played in helping communities recover after games resumed following a two-week suspension in 2001.

Jeter recalled the immediate aftermath of the tragedy 25 years ago, explaining that the suspension of the baseball season caused him to question the purpose of sports during a national crisis. “Why am I even playing?” Jeter recalled asking himself at the time.

Background

The Sept. 11, 2001 attacks caused severe devastation in New York City and led to an immediate shutdown of major sporting events across the United States. When Major League Baseball resumed play nearly two weeks later, games in New York served as focal points for public memorial services and civic gatherings. The 2001 New York Yankees reached the World Series that autumn, ultimately losing to the Arizona Diamondbacks in seven games.