Red Sox, Yankees Dedicating Opening Day Game To Newtown Victims And Families
BOSTON (CBS) -- The Red Sox and Yankees will stand together on Opening Day on April 1 at Yankee Stadium to honor the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and their families.
The Yankees made the announcement on Wednesday, that Opening Day will be dedicated to Newtown, Conn. Newtown police and firefighters will be on the field during the pregame ceremony, and the names of the victims will appear on the center field video board.
"On Opening Day, we will reflect upon more important things and play the game to honor the community of Newtown," Yankees co-owner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "Since the day of the tragedy, our hearts and thoughts have been with those who were affected. We hope that bringing the families of Newtown together at Yankee Stadium later in the summer will give the community an opportunity to create new memories and aid in the difficult process of moving forward."
Red Sox owner John Henry said, "Months have passed, yet we are still trying to come to grips with this incomprehensible tragedy. 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."
The honoring of Newtown will be spread across the entire league, as every team will wear a ribbon on their jerseys on Opening Day. Newtown and Sandy Hook have been honored in several ways since the tragedy in December, including a group of young singers from the school singing with Jennifer Hudson before the Super Bowl.
