Major League Baseball and teams across the sports world observed the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on Friday with on-field tributes, special programming and community service projects.
In New York, MLB and the Mets co-hosted a meal-packing event at Citi Field with the nonprofit 9/11 Day as part of the UNITE for Good initiative. The event took place near the site of the attacks.
Players, managers, coaches and umpires throughout MLB wore special caps bearing a "We Shall Never Forget" side patch. The Toronto Blue Jays featured caps with both the Canadian and American flags, while the Yankees and Mets wore first-responder caps with their team logos at Yankee Stadium.
Ahead of the game at Yankee Stadium, current Yankees players Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole, along with manager Aaron Boone, laid a wreath at the 9/11 memorial in Monument Park. A large flag covered the outfield for the national anthem, followed by performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by opera tenor James Valenti and "God Bless America" by Lee Greenwood. At ballparks nationwide, customized base jewels and official lineup cards were part of the tributes, which included a moment of silence observed by home teams.
Former Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens recalled how baseball helped a grieving New York City find a path toward recovery in the aftermath of the attacks.
Days after September 11, 2001, Shea Stadium served as a hub for relief efforts, with players and volunteers organizing donations for Ground Zero. Baseball's return to New York came on September 21, when Mike Piazza's home run led the Mets to a 3-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. Six weeks later, President George W. Bush threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the World Series at Yankee Stadium. The Yankees ultimately lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in seven games.
College football also marked the anniversary. Boston College and Rutgers held a special-edition Friday night game. Rutgers wore red jerseys and white helmets with "No. 37" to honor the 37 alumni who died in the attacks, with "Never Forget" on the side of their pants. Boston College's white uniforms featured a red bandana design on the sleeves, chest logo, and helmet stripe for their 13th annual Red Bandanna Game. This tradition honors Welles Crowther, a former Boston College lacrosse player who rescued people during the attacks and was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom on September 8, 2026.
