Still Remembering 9/11

Every year I plan on writing a post about 9/11 and how baseball was one of the binding elements in the New York area after the horrible events on that September morning. But each year, I go back and read a post from Brad at Bugs and Cranks and realize I don't need to say anything else because this post is almost a mirror of my point of view.

Two years ago I was fortunate enough to get an autographed photo of that famed Mike Piazza home run swing during that first game after 9/11. It's in my office and is a constant reminder of how huge that moment was not just for a Mets fan or a baseball fan but for New York as a whole.

So as we all reflect on what this day has come to mean, I hope you will take a look at Brad's post.

Mets’ plans to wear first responder caps thwarted by MLB

Sure I could blog about another late inning blown game or the ineffectiveness of the Mets big time players in key moments, but that's not important right now.

What is on my mind is how baffling this move by the MLB was to not allow the Mets to wear the caps of the NYPD, NYFD and PANY. You allowed ESPN to move the Mets/Cubs game to be the featured game in prime time and allow the pre-game 9/11 festivities to be shown on the broadcast, but you won't let the team wear the hats to honor those who served?

Are you kidding me? This is stupid. I'm not buying the line Joe Torre gave as an explanation that all teams were uniform in their honoring of 9/11. You know how much the Mets were involved in the events of 10 years ago. ESPN knows it. Baseball fans know it and to think that they don't deserve to be allowed to show a little extra honor the great men and women of the NYPD, NYFD & PAPD is just idiotic.

Maybe I'm being petty, but this was one of those cases where a rule was imposed without any rule usefulnees to it.

Here are some additional details via Yahoo! Sports.

Mets’ plans to wear first responder caps thwarted by MLB | The Upshot - Yahoo! News:

'via Blog this'

The7Line: September 11th Charity T-Shirt

Love this design and you can buy this shirt and help out a wonderful cause. You can order this 9/11 Charity T-Shirt over at The7Line.com and proceed's go to towards the Tuesday's Children Charity. They provide support for the families of 9/11 and others impacted by global terrorism. The shirts are $25.

Order it today by clicking here.

10 Years Later Still Remembering 9/11

Every year I plan on writing a post about 9/11 and how baseball was one of the binding elements in the New York area after the horrible events on that September morning. But each year, I go back and read a post from Brad at Bugs and Cranks and realize I don't need to say anything else because this post is almost a mirror of my point of view.

Last year I was fortunate enough to get an autographed photo of that famed Mike Piazza home run swing during that first game after 9/11. It's in my office and is a constant reminder of how huge that moment was not just for a Mets fan or a baseball fan but for New York as a whole.

So as we all reflect on what this day has come to mean, I hope you will take a look at Brad's post.

Remembering 9/11 Again

The following is a post I wrote about a year ago after reading a post by Brad Bortone at Bugs and Cranks. I was pleased this morning to see that Brad has reposted that same article he wrote on this 8th anniversary of that horrific day that is now known as 9/11. I hope you find this post an honorable reflection of that day.

I was going to write a post on how still 8 years later I remember the impact that baseball, and specifically the New York Mets, had after the attacks of September 11th, but Brad over at Bugs & Cranks has done the work for me.

I remember reading this write up last year at about this time and even as I read it again today I think it's one of the best commentaries on that emotional game the Mets played on September 21, 2001.

Brad's closing statement sums it up the best when he writes, "September 11 was all too real. I finally realized this. But for the first time in two weeks, I also realized that it was okay to smile. It was okay to cheer. It was perfectly okay to start living again."

It's definitely worth a read, and even if you've read it before, you should read it again and never forget those feelings we all experienced just 7 (now 8) years ago.

Click here to read the full article on Bugs & Cranks.

Remembering 9/11

I was going to write a post on how still 8 years later I remember the impact that baseball, and specifically the New York Mets, had after the attacks of September 11th, but Brad over at Bugs & Cranks has done the work for me.

I remember reading this write up last year at about this time and even as I read it again today I think it's one of the best commentaries on that emotional game the Mets played on September 21, 2001.

Brad's closing statement sums it up the best when he writes, "September 11 was all too real. I finally realized this. But for the first time in two weeks, I also realized that it was okay to smile. It was okay to cheer. It was perfectly okay to start living again."

It's definitely worth a read, and even if you've read it before, you should read it again and never forget those feelings we all experienced just 7 years ago.


Click here to read the full article on Bugs & Cranks.

Piazza Recalls Post 9/11 Home Run

Speaking of that memorable home run, Mike Piazza was on 1050 ESPN radio last night with Don LaGreca and reflected on that game. Listening to Mike speak was a reminder of how great this guy was for this city and the Mets. His genuineness and sincerity for how he feels about NYC is something special and is rare among today’s athletes.

Piazza talked about the vibe of the stadium that night, the fans, the team and how he mentioned how torn he was before the game because he didn’t know if it was appropriate to play or not; he said the players weren’t sure how to feel. But once the game got started and moved into the later innings, the fans got into it and they fed off the electricity. He said he didn’t remember what he was thinking after he hit the home run, but felt that it was some kind of divine intervention that helped him do it. It was that special. He told LaGreca that if he’s remembered more for that one home run than any other big home rune he’s hit (and he hit plenty for us) than that’s perfectly fine with him.

When asked what he thought about the rumors at the trade deadline and the fans’ desire to bring him back, Mike (laughing), initially tip-toed around it, expressed his adulation for the city and for Mets fans. But then he did admit, that ‘yes’ it (a trade to the Mets) would have been something that would have interested him.

Too bad Omar didn’t pull it off. It would have been great to see this class act-of-a person, an all-time great Met, back in Queens with one more shot at a World Series.

To listen to the interview, click here. (The link on ESPN's site isn't working yet, so check back).

Sports' Power of Healing: September 21, 2001

Over at Bugs and Cranks, Brad Bortone writes possibly the best piece I've ever read about the game that took place between the Braves on September 21, 2001, the first game played in New York City after 9/11.

I remember being home alone that night and watching Mike Piazza own the Braves. Of course the Mets found themselves down 2-1 in the 8th when Piazza came to the plate. You could feel the moment coming and then Piazza, as he tends to always do, came through when we need him most with a 2-run home run.

I remember tearing up as Piazza rounded the bases. It was just a baseball game, but I think everyone who had been close to what happened at 9/11 saw that game and that play as a moment of hope that they will never forget.

I know I never will.

Please visit Bugs & Cranks and read this post on the game that took place on 9/21/2001. I promise you won't be disappointed.