Prior to the Yankees-Rockies game on Tuesday night, the victims of the recent tragedy in Orlando were recognized in an on-field ceremony.
Yankees and Rockies players lined up on each baseline as Yankees Manager Joe Girardi and Rockies Manager Walt Weiss lay a rainbow wreath at home plate in memoriam before a moment of silence. (pictured above)
“This is in honor of the victims. Many organizations, including the (Orlando) Magic, MLS’s Orlando City, Orlando Pride, ECHL Orlando Solar Bears, Orlando Predators are joining forces to raise money,” Girardi said before Tuesday’s ceremony. “The proceeds will go to OneOrlando.org (One Orlando Fund) in honor of these families.
“This is the deadliest shooting in United States history, 49 victims, 53 wounded. Very sad day, people going through a very difficult time. We will show our support.
“I think it’s good to continue to bring light to what these families are going through, what the city of Orlando is going through, and not to forget. I think too many times in our country when we have tragic incidents, we pull together and are really strong, and then all of a sudden, we come apart again and go back to our normal lives and we forget.
“I think it’s important that we don’t forget and that we remain close as a country.”
Major League Baseball Vice President of Social Responsibility and Inclusion, Billy Bean, was a special guest of the Yankees for the tribute.
“For me, I think it was essential, besises offering condolences, to have the clarity that this was a hate crime against the LGBT community, against the Latino community, the city of Orlando,” Bean said before the ceremony.
“For every American, because we’re all connected in one way or another, and it’s important to get the information out to our clubs. I offered my condolences, it was devastating. I lived in Florida for 15 years, Miami Beach. My brother lives just outside Coco Beach with his family.
“Orlando’s a big part of spring training, every player has criss crossed Orlando. I just think that to try to provide an example of how there is a relationship there, I’m so proud of baseball. They really understood that we have an opportunity to provide, not only help with the healing, but maybe the visibility for people to understand the significance of the crime, the bigger political picture.
“For the most part, I just know that baseball by Monday (the day after the attack) was ready to make an acknowledgment in every single stadium, because we were all fractured that day. It was very upsetting.”