10 years later, Mariners produce another thoughtful tribute to 9/11
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Ben Van Houten photo
Mariners and Royals stand with police, fire, medical and rescue personnel during today's pregame ceremony at Safeco Field.
Sunday, September 11, 2011 | 1:59 pm
Before we lose ourselves the next few hours into the release from real life that baseball can be, the Mariners held a touching pregame observance on the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedy.
Mariners and Royals mixed with police, fire, medical and rescue personnel along the baselines at Safeco Field, a giant American flag was unfurled in center field and the somber sound of “Amazing Grace” wailed from bagpipes, followed by the “National Anthem” as only a military band can play it.
It was a nice ceremony that honored the victims and heroes of 9-11 in a way that, hopefully, we'll never forget.
It brought me back nearly 10 years when, standing in the same spot in the Safeco Field press box, I witnessed one of the most emotional moments of my career.
On Sept. 19, 2001, the Mariners beat the Angels to clinch the American League West championship. We'd all wondered how the team would celebrate its title, but knowing how thoughtful and sensitive that team was, we knew there wouldn't be any raucous pileup of players on the field or champagne spraying in the clubhouse.
The country was still reeling from the 9-11 attacks and the Mariners knew their actions would be viewed with a critical eye, not only here but around the world. After the final out of the clinching victory, the Mariners gathered on the mound under an American flag and dropped to their knees in prayer. Then, led by Mark McLemore and the flag, they walked around the field and waved to fans. Several players – and many fans – were in tears.
I spoke last week with former Mariners pitcher Paul Abbott for this column that ran in today's Herald sports section.
Baseball can be such a meaningless thing, especially at a time like September, 2001, when the nation was in crisis. But we learned 10 years ago that baseball is a necessary part of the fabric of this country, and in more than a small way the game and the Mariners helped the healing process.
The Mariners did it the right way.
“It's something I'll never forget,” Abbott said. “It shows how meaningless baseball can be, but also how necessary it can be at the same time. I don't think anybody in the history of baseball will ever be able to have that sort of feeling.”
Mariners and Royals mixed with police, fire, medical and rescue personnel along the baselines at Safeco Field, a giant American flag was unfurled in center field and the somber sound of “Amazing Grace” wailed from bagpipes, followed by the “National Anthem” as only a military band can play it.
It was a nice ceremony that honored the victims and heroes of 9-11 in a way that, hopefully, we'll never forget.
It brought me back nearly 10 years when, standing in the same spot in the Safeco Field press box, I witnessed one of the most emotional moments of my career.
On Sept. 19, 2001, the Mariners beat the Angels to clinch the American League West championship. We'd all wondered how the team would celebrate its title, but knowing how thoughtful and sensitive that team was, we knew there wouldn't be any raucous pileup of players on the field or champagne spraying in the clubhouse.
The country was still reeling from the 9-11 attacks and the Mariners knew their actions would be viewed with a critical eye, not only here but around the world. After the final out of the clinching victory, the Mariners gathered on the mound under an American flag and dropped to their knees in prayer. Then, led by Mark McLemore and the flag, they walked around the field and waved to fans. Several players – and many fans – were in tears.
I spoke last week with former Mariners pitcher Paul Abbott for this column that ran in today's Herald sports section.
Baseball can be such a meaningless thing, especially at a time like September, 2001, when the nation was in crisis. But we learned 10 years ago that baseball is a necessary part of the fabric of this country, and in more than a small way the game and the Mariners helped the healing process.
The Mariners did it the right way.
“It's something I'll never forget,” Abbott said. “It shows how meaningless baseball can be, but also how necessary it can be at the same time. I don't think anybody in the history of baseball will ever be able to have that sort of feeling.”
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