Yankees To Honor Newtown Victims And Community On Opening Day, Again In July
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Yankees will honor the town of Newtown, Conn., and the victims who were tragically killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School, the team announced on Wednesday.
On Opening Day on April 1 -- when the Bombers will host the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium at 1:05 p.m. -- the two clubs will "stand together in dedicating the game to the victims of the Sandy Hook school shooting, their families and the greater community of Newtown," the Yankees said in a press release.
Prior to the game, there will be "joint honor guards of Newtown police and firefighters," and a moment of silence. A list of all the victims' names will be displayed on the video board in center field.
"On Opening Day, we will reflect upon more important things and play the game to honor the community of Newtown," Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said in a statement. "Since the day of the tragedy, our hearts and thoughts have been with those who were affected."
The AL East rivals will also wear a ribbon on their uniforms to honor the victims and those affected by the horrific incident. The design of the ribbon will also be painted on the field in front of both teams' dugouts. Commissioner Bud Selig has requested that the other 28 Major League clubs also wear the Newtown ribbon on Opening Day.
"Months have passed, yet we are still trying to come to grips with this incomprehensible tragedy," Red Sox principal owner John W. 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."
The Yankees will remember and honor the Newtown community again in July.
On July 7, roughly 3,000 members of the Newtown community will be invited to the park when New York hosts the Orioles at 1:05 p.m. This day will be called "Newtown Day at Yankee Stadium."
"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," Steinbrenner said.
"The Yankees' organization has supported our community in several ways since the tragic events of December 14," Newtown first selectman Pat Llodra said in a statement. "Their generosity and compassion during this difficult time means a lot to all of us. We also would like to thank Commissioner Selig, the Red Sox and Major League Baseball for this meaningful tribute to our community."
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