NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — It was baseball that helped so many New Yorkers get through some of those dark moments after the Sept. 11 attacks 20 years ago.
Fittingly, the Mets and Yankees continue their Subway Series on Saturday night at Citi Field, in the same borough where the city's first pro-sporting event was held 10 days after the attacks two decades ago.
The teams paid special tribute to first responders ahead of the game, bringing a sellout crowd to their feet as they chanted "USA."
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the Mets and Yankees wore first responder caps representing the FDNY, NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, Department of Sanitation and Department of Correction to honor the bravery and sacrifice of 9/11 responders.
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The team also wore helmets honoring the NYPD and FDNY and the Mets home uniforms will say “New York” across the chest, in the same font as their home uniforms from 2001, WFAN reported. The sleeve of each jersey will have an American flag with “9-11-01” stitched alongside.
Mets outfielder also shared a photo of a pair of custom cleats with images of the Tribute in Light and FDNY firefighters that he'll wear for the game.
Bobby Valentine and Joe Torre, the two managers from the 2001 season, will participate in the ceremonial first pitch.
More than 14 former Mets coaches and players from that year were also in attendance, including Hall of Famer Mike Piazza, whose thrilling home run helped the Mets win their first game back in New York City following the attacks.
"When I crossed home plate and I still felt this buzz that people were cheering, I then started realizing this is pretty special," Piazza recently told WCBS 880 of that pivotal moment.
Gov. Kathy Hochul also attended the pre-game memorial ceremony at 41 Seaver Way.
The NYPD Cops and Kids Chorus performed the National Anthem.
Anaïs Reno, a 17-year-old New York Jazz recording artist, sang "America the Beautiful" and FDNY Firefighter Regina Wilson performed "God Bless America."
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The Citi Field parking lots will open at 4:10 pm and all ballpark gates will open at 5:10 pm.
Fans are encouraged to take mass transit to the game.
The pre-game ceremony will start at 7 p.m. WCBS 880 will have special live coverage from the ballpark starting at 4 p.m.
Wayne Randazzo will be joined in the Mets booth by special guest host Lee Mazzilli.
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