The Yankees announced several outreach activities and commemorative gestures in the coming week to recognize the 25th anniversary of 9/11, culminating in a pregame ceremony before the Yanks host the Mets on Sept. 11.
The Yankees will recognize the NYPD, FDNY, PAPD, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, and Tuesday's Promise as part of the ceremonies, while select alumni from the 2001 American League champion Yankees will be on hand to participate. Fans are asked to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m. on Friday night. Members of the NYPD, FDNY, AND PAPD will perform the presentation of colors while a giant American flag will be unfurled in the outfield prior to the national anthem.
A special pregame performance of "God Bless the USA" by Grammy-winning country artist Lee Greenwood will follow the anthem, and FDNY lieutenant William Arce will perform "God Bless America" before the bottom of the seventh inning.
Current members of the Yankees will place a special wreath beside the 9/11 monument in Monument Park beyond the center field wall on the afternoon of Sept. 11.
Brielle Saracini and her husband Sean McGuire will throw out the ceremonial first pitches. Saracini's father, Victor Saracini, was the captain of United Flight 175, which was tragically directed into the World Trade Center's South Tower on the morning of 9/11. McGuire's father, Patrick, was working on the 84th floor when the tower was struck. Brielle and Sean, having both lost their fathers at 10 years of age, attended Camp Better Days two years later, an organization create to support children who lost a parent in the attacks. The two married in 2017.
Just three days after her father’s passing, Saracini wrote a letter to Derek Jeter detailing her family’s deeply personal loss, explaining that her dad would want her to realize her dream of meeting him. When the letter reached Jeter, he invited her and her family to attend a game, and the Saracinis were embraced by the team during batting practice.
The pregame ceremonies scheduled for Sept. 11 is the culmination of weeks of remembrance by the Yankees, which have included visits by Aaron Boone, current players, and alumni have visited FDNY Engine 22 / Ladder 13 / Battalion 10 on the Upper East Side, Engine 4 / Ladder 15 in Lower Manhattan, Squad 18 in the West Village, and Engine 54 / Ladder 4 / Battalion 9 in Midtown. The visits will continue the week leading up to the 25th anniversary of 9/11, as players and coaches will visit the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
In addition, throughout next week's homestand, the Judge’s Chambers will host honored guests representing the New York Blood Center, PAPD, National September 11 Memorial & Museum, FDNY, NYPD and Silver Shield Foundation, Tuesday’s Promise, and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
Alumni from the 2001 team will participate in the ceremonies.
Alumni from the 2001 team will participate in the ceremonies.
