By Tom Seipp, Sports Editor
The 9/11 Memorial in New York City is like no other. Nearly 3,000 names
of the victims who were killed on Sept. 11, 2001 are engraved
at the site, as exhibits fill up the emotional memorial.
From New York Mets comebacks to George Bush’s emotional first pitch in the World Series, sports helped rejuvenate the City of New York following the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. The sports exhibit is one of the most popular among the memorial.
Sitting in the exhibit is memorabilia from 2001, most notably two headgear: Brooklyn native and New York Mets team captain John Franco’s Fire Department of New York (FDNY) hat and Hall of Famer and the best offensive player in Mets history, Mike Piazza’s New York Police Department (NYPD) catchers helmet that these two wore in the 2001 season. The Mets wore first responder caps, including both the FDNY and NYPD logos, from their first game back to action on Sept. 17 to the remainder of the regular season in 2001.
One of the most memorable home runs in New York Mets history, let alone baseball history, will forever be remembered as the home run that gave the city life again: Mike Piazza’s go-ahead home run on Sept. 21, 2001.
“Lopez wants it away, and it’s hit deep to left center, Andruw Jones on the run, this one has a chance… Home run! Mike Piazza! And the Mets
lead, 3-2!”
Howie Rose’s home run call simply gives baseball fans chills every time it’s heard. In 2019, 18 years after the attacks, Mets rookie Pete Alonso took it upon himself to show gratitude towards the first responders by purchasing all 40 players on the Mets roster customized cleats to honor the victims.
Alonso, a rookie at the time, who had a salary of $555K, took approximately $8,000 out of his own pocket to purchase cleats for each individual
on the Mets roster.
Why did Alonso resort to purchasing cleats?
The MLB won’t allow players to wear first responder caps during games due to licensing issues among many others. Joe Torre, MLB’s chief baseball officer said a likely change to their rule is unlikely, but could not “say never ever.”
MLB is failing yet again when it comes to appealing to their fanbase.
Alonso purchased cleats without MLB’s permission due to fear he would be denied. MLB rejected his idea to commemorate 9/11 with first responder
hats. Alonso expressed his frustration last year, saying,“I think it’s kind of sad guys weren’t allowed to.”
This year, the Mets will be in Buffalo to play the Toronto Blue Jays, but the New York Yankees will be playing in the Bronx. As for next year, the Mets will host the Yankees on Sept. 11, 2021, the 20-year anniversary of the attacks. It’ll be an emotional night in Queens a year from now no matter the apparel being worn, but MLB can not mess this up – let the players represent our country’s heroes.
seipptw19@bonaventure.edu
