Pirates, Reds remember 9/11 at PNC Park

PITTSBURGH — Before taking the field Sunday afternoon, the Pirates and Reds paused to remember.

Fifteen years after the events of Sept. 11, 2001, there was a moment of silence at PNC Park to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in New York City, Washington, D.C., and nearby Shanksville, Pa., where United Airlines Flight 93 crashed.

All on-field personnel throughout Major League Baseball wore caps Sunday with an American flag patch. Each team also used special lineup cards and base jewels as part of MLB’s remembrance of the tragedy on American soil. Baseball played a part, however small, in America’s recovery from that devastating day.

“Baseball is America’s pastime. Throughout the years, it’s always been something Americans can go to through tough times,” Pirates reliever Jared Hughes said. “I think one time they did that was Sept. 11, and today we honor those that fell.”

“It’s an experience I’ll never forget. It’s going to be my first time playing on this day,” added Pirates rookie Josh Bell. “Just thinking back to when I was in middle school, when it all went …

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