(KMOX Radio reporting from JUPITER, Fla.) -- St. Louis Cardinals players, coaches and staff stopped what they were doing, took off their hats and stood in silence at 10:17 a.m. local time on Thursday for a moment of remembrance on the first anniversary of the nation’s deadliest school shooting.
It has been a full year since a gunman entered Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and killed 17 students and staff. The school is located in Parkland, Fla., about 50 miles south of the Cardinals' spring training complex in Jupiter.
Cardinals pitcher John Brebbia said the team was told in advance about what would be happening.
"Because it's so recent, it's hard not to think about and it's hard not to have that somber moment," Brebbia says. "It's perspective. It's really nice to be able to come here and play baseball. And to have moments like that really sets it home: What we do is really special and we're really lucky."
The team stood still for about one minute after a loud siren went off. The Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins held similar moments of silence on Thursday.
The Cardinals were among the many teams that honored the high school during spring training games last year by wearing Marjory Stoneman Douglas hats.