Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, one of the most memorable sports images from that period still stands out: President George W. Bush walking to the mound and throwing a strike before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series.
It happened on Oct. 30, 2001, seven weeks after the terror attacks, when the Arizona Diamondbacks hosted the New York Yankees. By then, the World Series had become the first major event since the tragedy, and the moment carried a weight far beyond baseball. The hope, according to MLB.com, was that the game could give fans a brief escape from one of the darkest stretches in U.S. history.
Bush wore a bullet-proof vest at the recommendation of the Secret Service. Then he delivered the pitch cleanly over home plate, creating a rare flash of unity during a tense time.
The broader backdrop was still raw. On Sept. 11, 2001, militants tied to al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners in a coordinated suicide attack on the United States. Nearly 3,000 people were killed.
Two of the planes hit the Twin Towers in New York City, bringing both buildings down within hours and devastating lower Manhattan. Another struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. On the fourth plane, United Flight 93, passengers fought the hijackers after learning about the other attacks, and the aircraft crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania before it could reach its target.
In the years that followed, the attacks helped drive major changes in domestic and global policy, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the launch of the U.S. “war on terrorism.”
The anniversary also serves as a reminder of how deeply 9/11 reshaped everyday life, from airport security to the way sporting events are staged.
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Corbin Carrolls return was the bigger long-term sign for Arizona, especially after an MRI showed no structural issues in his lower back. He slotted back into the lineup and promptly reached another milestone with his 20th home run of the season, the kind of jolt the Diamondbacks can use as they try to keep pace in September. [Read more 🡒]
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Diamondbacks Finally Got The Jolt They Desperately Needed Against Texas
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Even with the bats waking up, the night still carried some uneasy moments for Arizona. Merrill Kelly was pulled after 4.1 innings, and the club had to sort through a bullpen outing that quickly turned unusual in a game that was already swinging hard in its favor. Justin Martinez authored a rare piece of franchise history in the middle of it all, a reminder that this team can still find some juice in unexpected places while it tries to steady itself. [Read more 🡒]