RELATED: Hoops During 9/11
September 11, 2001, occurred just seven days after my 11th birthday. I was too young to remember the historical tragedies that defined the early 1990s, including the Gulf War, the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, or even the Oklahoma City bombing. But what I do recall vividly is the morning of that Tuesday. I went to school as I normally did as a sixth grader, albeit it's fair to say that day was cut short. My teacher shielded us from the events, leaving us unaware of what had happened.
Usually, my Dad drove me to school most mornings, but I took the bus that Tuesday. Similar to most kids, I had a short walk from the stop sign to our family home. When the bus arrived at the sign, there was my Dad. We are talking about a hard-working executive who drove 45 minutes to work every day—he never left early to come home. I had a sharp inkling that something was deeply wrong at this point.
As I suspected, my Dad broke the news of what had happened. America was under attack and we learned that 2,977 innocent lives were taken on that day. As a result of terrorism, the lethal, senseless attacks affected those on four hijacked planes, including individuals in the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. In addition, the Pentagon was struck and 40 crew members and passengers on United 93 were killed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
The Day the World Changed Forever
This was the first time in my life that I felt tragedy and a profound sense of sorrow. Catastrophic isn't even the word. As I watched the events unfold on television, the image of that day will never dissipate ... for the rest of my life. On the 25th anniversary of September 11, the victims, survivors, and first responders, along with their families, will never be forgotten. Ever. That includes thousands of those who fell ill from airborne toxins.
That Saturday, Sept. 15, my family and I drove down to New York City as my sister was an aspiring actress and was set to audition for a play. We lived approximately 100 miles outside of Manhattan, so trips to the city were frequent, especially since my sister was immersed in Broadway. The city was eerily quiet and desolate. There was debris everywhere, especially on the mail trucks. Smoke remained from the towers' collapse, while water bottles piled up. It was the first and only time I've ever seen Manhattan that deserted.
Although lower Manhattan was blocked off, one didn't need to be present at Ground Zero to feel the weight of the tragedy. It was one of the most humbling experiences in my life. Not one horn was heard throughout the city. Firefighters waved as they appeared from the fog. It was an unimaginable sight. The amount of grief felt just blocks away from the location was palpable.
That was the day the world changed forever. In the moment, Americans paused and united as a nation. There was a sense of solidarity and strength despite the divisions that had existed long before. The American flag was flown everywhere as patriotism could be felt almost anywhere.
What Baseball Meant to Me
At the time, MLB suspended all play in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
I grew up an avid Yankees fan, thanks to my maternal step-grandfather. My family's fandom was split, as my father's side was from Massachusetts, so as you can see, I opted not to be a Red Sox fan. The Yankees had recently won three straight championships in 1998, 1999, and 2000. I was mesmerized by the sheer talent on New York's roster: Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Bernie Williams, Jorge Posada, Paul O'Neill, Tino Martinez, and even manager Joe Torre. That year, the Yankees were 86-57 and stood firm in the standings as the top team in the AL East on the morning of September 11.
It wasn't the recent championships that made me fall in love with the Yankees. It was what they represented to America and New York City after such despair: hope, strength, unity, and healing. To me, sports always meant something deeper. My devotion to not only baseball, but sports, extended beyond the win-loss column. Often, the athletes were my safe space and an escape from the real world. In a time filled with sadness, I felt a sense of pride at the same time. Sports were not only a way to unite a nation in mourning, but a way to bring people together.
And the Yankees did just that.
How Baseball Healed the Nation
At the time, the NBA was in the offseason, and the NFL suspended games for that week. The NFL suspended game so many college and high schools did the same on Sept. 14th and 15th. In New York, the Yankees became an integral part of that healing and baseball was a sport that uplifted the city. And we can't forget the cross-town rival Mets. Mike Piazza's home run against the Atlanta Braves is a moment I'll always cherish, even as a Yankees fan. Just 10 days after the attacks occurred, the roar of the stadium crowd was louder than most World Series games. Nearly every fan was on their feet, cheering and waving. On Sept. 25, the Yankees paid tribute to America among a near-sellout crowd.
Sammy Sosa during the Cubs first home game after 9/11. This gives me goosebumps everytime. It’s so much more than just a game
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) September 11, 2026
The US flag was a great touch by Sammy. #September11 pic.twitter.com/0RemxJ64Dv
The Yankees donned American flag patches on the backs of their jerseys and caps, while the scorebug included a 9/11 tribute. Members of the FDNY, NYPD, and first responders were honored pregame. In the stands fans waving the flag with Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the USA" blasting around the stadium. After games resumed, members of the Yankees wore caps to support the NYPD and FDNY and a black armband on their jersey sleeves.
Baseball was the bridge that brought NYC back together, giving life again to a city that never sleeps. The rest of the country followed suit as Cubs star Sammy Sosa famously ran into the outfield at Wrigley Field while waving an American flag. Subsequently, he homered and ran around the bases with the flag in hand.
Although the Mets missed out on the playoffs in 2001, the Yankees produced much-needed positivity that the city was badly craving. Post-9/11, they notably defeated the Oakland Athletics in a division series that was defined by Derek Jeter's flip play to throw out the late Jeremy Giambi. Soon after, New York defeated the Seattle Mariners in the ALCS, which sent them to the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
A Defining World Series
Just 46 days had passed between the attacks on America and the beginning of the World Series on Oct. 27. America was anything but normal, but again, this series brought back some sort of normalcy. The Yankees and Diamondbacks united and both wore flag patches not only on the backs of jerseys but also on caps. With Yankee Stadium located just 11 miles from Ground Zero, the World Series captivated Americans and meant more than baseball.
Perhaps the most defining moment was then-President George W. Bush's ceremonial first pitch in Game 3 of the World Series in the Bronx. Wearing an FDNY sweatshirt, Bush walked out to the mound, waved and acknowledged the sold-out crowd. In fact, I'll never forget the moment he gave the fans a thumbs up as he took in the atmosphere and almost let Americans know everything would be all right. As he threw out the first pitch to Todd Greene, it became one of the most defining moments in my lifetime and in sports history. Regardless of what political side of the fence people were on, this was a moment that extended far beyond politics.
(2001) George Bush throwing out the first pitch at Yankee Stadium during game 3 of the World Series after the 9/11 attacks. pic.twitter.com/BZVnblVS1E
— Timeless Sports (@timelesssports_) September 11, 2017
The Yankees were ultimately defeated by the Diamondbacks in the World Series, but the impact of that series will be everlasting. It marked a sense of hope and unity and Jeter earned the knickname "Mr. November." And on the 25th anniversary, the Yankees and Mets will face off in a nationally televised game that will include members of the 2001 teams along with members of the NYPD and FDNY.
Twenty-five years later, the story stands. I am much older and wiser, but one thing that's never wavered or changed is the unifying power of sports. Even in our darkest times, whether as a nation or individually, sports have always given us a place to escape. Sports give us hope and something to hold on to.
May we never forget September 11.
