9/11: How Sports and New York Saved the Country

On September 11, 2001, our country suffered through terrible tragedies due to terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and the  United-93 hijacking. Although we remember the ones who lost their lives during that day, we also can appreciate how sports saved the United States during this time of mourning and self reflect. 

 September 21, 2001. After a long road trip for the Mets, they came back home to play the Atlanta Braves, the first major sporting event since the terrorist attacks. Although many recognize the Yankees as the team that saved baseball since they made the World Series that same year, there is not an iconic moment that is greater than Mike Piazza's home run that shook Shea Stadium that very night. The home run gave hope to families who lost loved ones and to those who sympathized, and gained hope and relief from the pain. Mike Piazza came through when New York needed him the most, and for that we thank you.

President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch during Game 3 of 2001 World Series between the Yankees and Diamondbacks. Fans who witnessed the game remember Bush standing on the rubber, giving a thumbs up, telling everyone is silence that everything is going to be alright. Seconds later, he threw a perfect strike that lead to a Yankee win. The next night, Tino Martinez hit a home run off of D-Backs reliever Byung-Hyun Kim that tied the game in the 9th inning. This lead to Derek Jeter's "Mr. November" walk-off home run that won the game. Just when things seemed crazy enough, Scott Brosius hit a game tying home run that rocked the Bronx, leading to a Yankee victory, taking a 3-2 lead in the Series. Unfortunately, the D-Backs fought back with two wins in Arizona after a blown save by Mariano Rivera in Game 7. It was a story book ending planned for the Yanks, but the Bombers reunited the city as one, representing the country in baseball's Fall Classic. The ball players jobs were to try to make everyone's life just a little bit easier, even if it was for a limited amount of time.

February 3, 2002. Super Bowl XXXVI took place between the favorite St. Louis Rams and the underdog New England Patriots in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans. The halftime show featured Paul McCartney, singing his signature song, "Freedom", along with U2 playing their top hits as the slideshow began that included the names of the victims who passed during 9/11. Bono then proudly showed the crowd his jacket with the American flag embroidered on the inside to the nation.  It was an iconic performance for both bands, and is remembered in a very special way. Ironically, the Patriots won the game 20-17 on a time expiring field goal made by Adam Vinatieri. The Patriots were champions of America, and no one could ask for a better team to win during the 2001 season. Patriots owner Robert Kraft went on to say, "We are all Patriots, and tonight, the Patriots are world champions." Couldn't explain it in a better way. 

No matter where you go, what you do, or who you're with, September 11 brought depression and war to this country that we fight to live in every single day. Sports gave the men and women who lost loved ones a sense of hope, knowing that there is always something that can make you feel better, whether it would be for one hour, or possibly nine innings. Whether it was Paul O'Neill and Joe Torre wearing the FDNY/ NYPD baseball caps, or Michael Strahan wearing the FDNY fire helmet, sports saved the United States during the 9/11 attacks. It may be just a game, but sports are a wonderful thing that saved more lives than believed.