On Friday, Major League Baseball and its clubs marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks with a series of on‑field tributes, community service projects and special programming. The observances were coordinated at the league level and carried out at ballparks nationwide.
Community service and meal‑packing at Citi Field
In New York, the Mets and the league co‑hosted a meal‑packing event at Citi Field in partnership with the nonprofit 9/11 Day as part of the UNITE for Good initiative. Volunteers packed food and supplies for families affected by the attacks, a reminder that the baseball community continues to support those who served and suffered.
Special caps and first‑responder apparel
Players, managers, coaches and umpires across the majors wore caps bearing a “We Shall Never Forget” patch. The Toronto Blue Jays added a design that featured both the Canadian and American flags, while the Yankees and Mets sported first‑responder caps with their team logos at Yankee Stadium.
Wreath‑laying ceremony at Yankee Stadium
Before the first pitch in the Bronx, Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and manager Aaron Boone placed a wreath at the 9/11 memorial in Monument Park. A giant American flag draped the outfield as opera tenor James Valenti sang the national anthem, followed by Lee Greenwood’s rendition of “God Bless America.”
League‑wide moments of silence and customized memorabilia
All ballparks observed a league‑wide moment of silence. Customized base jewels and official lineup cards were used to honor the victims and first responders. The tributes underscored baseball’s role in national healing and remembrance.
Historical notes from New York baseball
After the attacks, Shea Stadium became a staging ground for relief efforts, with players and volunteers loading trucks with boots, water and batteries for Ground Zero. The Mets moved to Citi Field in 2009, and baseball returned to New York on September 21 when Mike Piazza’s eighth‑inning home run gave the Mets a 3‑2 win over the Atlanta Braves. Six weeks later, President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium.
College football joins the remembrance
Boston College and Rutgers also commemorated the anniversary during a special‑edition Friday night football game. Rutgers wore red jerseys and white helmets featuring No. 37, with an American flag inside the number to honor the 37 alumni who perished. The Scarlet Knights’ pants bore the words “Never Forget.” Boston College’s white uniforms displayed a red bandanna design, honoring Welles Crowther, a former lacrosse player who rescued people during the attacks and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in September 2026.
Across the country, the coordinated observances highlighted the enduring impact of September 11 on American families, first responders and the broader community, while reinforcing baseball’s tradition of uniting the nation in moments of remembrance.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
