Sox and Yankees to honor Newtown victims
Major League Baseball will honor the victims of the Newtown shooting, just one of the ways baseball can honor those affected by such a tragic event that struck a cord across the nation.
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox will battle it out on the field come Opening Day on April 1, but they will come together in honoring those affected by the Newtown shooting to let those affected know that there are those who care and want to help. Both sides will wear a special ribbon to honor the event, in addition the ribbon design will be painted on the field in front of both dugouts. There will also be a pregame ceremony commemorating the firefighters and police officers present at the school that day, and there will be a moment of silence to remember those who died.
Managing general partner of the Yankees, Hal Steinbrenner, released a statement on the ceremonies to take place on Opening Day.
”On Opening Day, we will reflect upon more important things and play the game to honor the community of Newtown,” Steinbrenner said. ”Since the day of the tragedy, our hearts and thoughts have been with those who were affected.”
Sox owner John Henry followed suit with a similar statement of his own.
”Months have passed, yet we are still trying to come to grips with this incomprehensible tragedy,” Henry said in a statement. ”As our teams look to face each other on Opening Day, we will stand united in support of the families affected as we remember and honor those who were lost.”
Commissioner Bud Selig was so impressed by the Sox and Yankees stepping up that he ordered the other 28 teams to wear the same ribbons on Opening Day as a joint effort by the MLB to show their support across the United States. There have been many times that the MLB has chipped in to reach out to those in need, good one on them this time to reach out to those affected by the tragedy in Newtown and may the support keep coming for those families.
