6
2012
Mets To Wear First Responder Hats On September 11
An article by Hojo's Mojo
In a tradition that started after the attacks of September 11, the New York Mets today announced they will honor New York City First Responders by wearing hats from the city agencies during batting practice and the National Anthem prior to the 7:10 p.m. game against the Washington Nationals Tuesday, September 11 at Citi Field.
“We want to thank Major League Baseball, Commissioner Selig and Joe Torre for their support of honoring these agencies for their heroic actions that day,” said Mets COO Jeff Wilpon.
The Gies family will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to honor fallen FDNY hero Ronnie Gies, of Squad 228 in Maspeth, Queens, who lost his life on September 11. Carol, and her sons, Tommy, Ronnie and Bobby will be on the mound for the first pitch. Tommy is a fireman with Ladder 147 in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Ronnie is a fireman with Ladder 175 in East New York, Brooklyn, and Bobby recently took the test to become a fireman.
“I always tried to be at Shea or Citi Field on 9/11, because those were always our family’s fondest memories,” said Carol Gies. “My husband was a gigantic Mets fan, as is my entire family. We all think happy thoughts when we are at a Mets game.”
The Gies’ will be joined at the game by 50 members of their family.
Earlier today, Mike Baxter, Dillon Gee and Bobby Parnell spent their day off paying tribute to those who lost their lives on September 11. The players visited the 9/11 Memorial and stopped by FDNY Engine 10, Ladder 10 on Liberty Street across from the World Trade Center site. They then headed to the USS Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum and worked alongside hundreds of volunteers assembling bicycles that will be given to children of parents serving in the military as part of the 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance program.
Earlier this year, Johan Santana, the Johan Santana Foundation and the Mets Foundation provided seed-money to Tuesday’s Children to create a new initiative for Spanish-speaking members of the September 11 community to enhance services and programs for the underserved community. The Mets funded Tuesday’s Children’s First Responder Alliance Mentoring Program in 2011, a new mentoring program for families of First Responders.
The Mets have been supporters of Tuesday’s Children since its inception in 2001, hosting families at games and holding player meet and greets. Tuesday’s Children is a non-profit family service organization that has made a long term commitment to every individual impacted by the events of September 11, 2001 and those who have been impacted by terrorist incidents worldwide. Since 2001, Tuesday’s Children has promoted healing and recovery by strengthening family resilience, providing individual coping and life management skills and creating community through programs, mental health support and family engagement opportunities.
About the Author: Rob Johnson
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NL East Standings
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Braves | 42 | 30 | .583 | - |
| Phillies | 35 | 37 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Nationals | 34 | 36 | .486 | 7.0 |
| Mets | 27 | 40 | .403 | 12.5 |
| Marlins | 22 | 48 | .314 | 19.0 |
Last updated: 06/19/2013
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Again, MLB is only letting them wear the hats during BP & Anthem only! I think its a disgrace. They should be allowed to wear them during the game.
Honestly,
Screw the MLB Front Office if they won’t let them wear it during the game. Didn’t this happen last year?
There really shouldn’t be any difficulty making the decision to let it happen.
Bud selig makes $18 million a year, and the man has not come up with a good idea since he’s been at the helm of baseball…. SMGH
Agreed, except for one thing. He sells tickets. Just think what a travesty he has turned the playoffs into all in the name of marketing to people who aren’t even baseball fans.
Right.. And weve seen the lenght he’s willing to go to sell tickets.. Remember 1998?? You think he and everyone else didn’t see something wrong with what’s going on?? 1 Game playoffs is a draw to those non baseball fans?? Really TRS? come on man, Believe it or not, people are tuning out in baseball more and more. Even though we have great series unfolding, big market teams not in WS are hurting the baseball markets, check the rating of the past WS and come see me.
Woah buddy, I know it’s shocking because I am so sarcastic at times but I am agreeing with you. Like I said his only purpose is to do anything and everything for ticket sales. Of course he knew about the roids, pisses me off to no end that they went on a witch hunt hunting those players down and trying to hold them accountable when their blind eye and policies encouraged the mess to start with. And I am sorry as a traditional baseball fan, the idea of a one game playoff deciding something between what could be a 100 win team and an 81 win team is a ridiculous ploy designed to make baseball be hip to fans. All in the name of another dollar. It is a made for TV deal and you know it.
Huh… Good. The CORE salu…. nah! lol, but i do agree with you!!
I guess this is going to be an annual debate. I think it’s a disgrace every time we have to go through this. I don’t understand why Bud Selig doesn’t get it and that New York was ground zero for those attacks. I know Selig has no soul but he obviously has no heart either.
I think Joe Torre has more to do with this then Selig – but that’s just my opinion.
9/11 is far bigger than hats on a head. The team does the right thing every year, visits firehouses, first responders etc…. THAT is fare more important than a hat.
I agree 100% Kay. The Mets are doing all the right things, visiting the firehouses, hospitals, victims families and the like. The least MLB could do to thank them for their community service is let them wear the hats during the game. Not too many people will see that, wearing the hats during the game will bring their silent tribute to a broader audience. But the fact that Torre isn’t letting them wear it is BS. It’s not like they’re wearing hats for a corporate sponsor or anything like that. I almost think Torre is bitter that the Mets were more involved with helping the first responders of 9/11, they got to wear the NYPD, NYFD, EMT and other first responder hats, and were the first sport back in NY coupled with Piazzas homer.