Tuesday, September 11, 2001, a day that will live in infamy. The day 2,977 Americans lost their lives (and many more with health effects stemming from that.) The United States was hurting in a way many had not before seen. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, husbands, wives, etc. all lost because of that tragic day. As days passed, people needed help to get back to normalcy. That is where the sports world came in and helped.
Mike Piazza’s Blast
Every major sports league went on hiatus after the attacks from 9/11. When the Mets next took the field in New York they played their rival Atlanta Braves. In a close game as both teams would mostly shut down the other’s offense, the Braves found themselves in the lead 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th. After Edgardo Alfonzo walked, Mike Piazza came to the plate. With one swing of the bat, he lifted more than the 41,000+ spirits that were in Shea Stadium that night. Piazza gave the Mets a 3-2 lead with a 2 run home run. Mets fans every where were overjoyed, while the homerun and night helped with their healing process.
Rangers Home Opener
In a tear-jerking opening ceremony, the New York Rangers honored the FDNY and NYPD hockey teams. Mark Messier was given a fireman’s helmet with more significance than many people knew. For this game, the Buffalo Sabres and Rangers changed their normal jerseys out for ones that had NEW YORK crossed the chest. The game then started and it was full of goals. The Sabres and Rangers went back and forth and in the end, the New York fans were sent home happy with a Brian Leetch game-winner in OT. Even the Buffalo Sabres look back and say that game meant a lot as it was replayed on MSG in 2020.
The New York Yankees World Series Run
Despite winning the previous three World Series the Yankees came into the 2001 World Series as the underdog. From the start of Game 3 to the end of Game 5 the New York Yankees helped the healing for their fans. George W Bush throwing out the first pitch before Game 3 was “Something that people needed to see” as said by new Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. Then the next night, you have a game go into extras and as Derek Jeter hit a walk-off home run… Mr. November was born. An even longer game happened the following night, as Alfonso Soriano singled in Chuck Knoblach to take Game 5 3-2 in 12 innings. The Yankees lost the series in the end, but this run and series specifically went a long way in providing a much needed distraction in the Fall of 2001.