Cooperstown's ceremonies Sunday evoked memories of how the reaches of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza touched Americans far beyond the playing field in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Griffey gave the hat that he wore on stage during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction to Tyler and Kristin Marino, who lost their NYC firefighter father on 9/11. Griffey, who was their father's favorite player, hit a home run in 2001 in honor of the firefighter at the request of his widow, Katrina Marino. Griffey later met the Marino children when the Reds played the Mets in New York in July 2002.
Ken with Tyler and Kristin Marino. Junior gave Tyler the hat he turned backwards on stage. #HOFWKND pic.twitter.com/Tc6NCtbdN1
— Cincinnati Reds (@Reds) July 25, 2016
Piazza's entry also brought back memories of 9/11's aftermath. Piazza's two-run homer in the eighth inning at Shea Stadium lifted the Mets to a 3-2 victory over the Braves in the first sporting event played in New York after the terrorist attacks.
Piazza paid tribute to that moment in his speech.
"To witness the darkest evil of the human heart ... will be forever burned in my soul," Piazza said. "But from tragedy and sorrow came bravery, love, compassion, character and eventual healing."
Attendance was estimated at around 50,000 by the Hall of Fame, which ties 1999 for second-most all time.
"Many of you give me praise for the two-run home run in the first game back on Sept. 21," Piazza said. "But the true praise belongs to police, firefighters, first responders that knew that they were going to die but went forward anyway. I pray that we never forget their sacrifice."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.