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© St. Petersburg Times, published September 27, 2001
NEW YORK -- Having been part of emotional ceremonies in Boston and New York, the Rays return home tonight to remember victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and honor the rescue workers in their own way.
"There will be some poignant things happening," managing general partner Vince Naimoli said. "We want to be highly respectful, and we don't want to repeat things others have done. It will be appropriate and not overdone."
Fans at tonight's game, the Rays' first at Tropicana Field since Sept. 2, will receive miniature American flags and placards with the flag on one side and the words to God Bless America on the other.
Among highlights of the pregame ceremony: fourth-graders from Citrus Park Elementary will recite the Pledge of Allegiance, manager Hal McRae and Toronto counterpart Buck Martinez will place roses on the mound in memory of the victims, a moment of silence will be broken by a rendition of Amazing Grace and America the Beautiful will be sung in the fourth inning and God Bless America in the seventh.
The St. Petersburg Firefighters Association will pass boots through the stands during the seventh-inning stretch to collect funds for families of New York firefighters killed at the World Trade Center.
To further show their appreciation, the Rays will provide two tickets to active and retired members of the military, police, fire, rescue and EMS squads. Fans need only show identification the Tropicana Field box office, which opens at 9 a.m., to get the outfield tickets.
Among new security measures in place, backpacks and large bags are banned and small bags will be searched.
TAKE THAT: Frustrated after being hit by Tanyon Sturtze and pitched high and inside by reliever Victor Zambrano, Chuck Knoblauch nearly struck back at the end of Tuesday's game, flinging his bat toward the mound after making the final out.
"I got hit by one pitch and the next one is at my head," Knoblauch said Wednesday. "I just found it odd. I don't think I even have a hit against the Devil Rays this year."
Knoblauch said he was "upset at the time" but wasn't trying to hit Zambrano. McRae said he attributed Knoblauch's actions to frustration and didn't think there was intent to hurt anyone.
PRETTY BOYS: There was a red, white and blue dress hanging in Joe Kennedy's locker after the game and a shiny pink-and-white number waiting for Brent Abernathy. The Rays staged their annual rookie hazing, forcing the first-year big-leaguers to wear women's clothing -- and some tacky choices at that -- on the way home.
OUCH: Jose Guillen was struck on the back of the left wrist by a Mariano Rivera fastball in the ninth inning. He stayed in the game but is likely to be sore and bruised today.
RAYS BITS: Greg Vaughn's left calf remains sore and he likely won't return until Saturday or Sunday, trainer Jamie Reed said. ... Promising shortstop prospect Jorge Cantu will be out 6-8 weeks and miss the Arizona Fall League season after spraining his left ankle. Jason Smith, acquired from the Cubs in the Fred McGriff trade, will replace Cantu in Arizona. ... Sturtze had a small bump and a slight headache but no other problems from the line drive that struck his head Tuesday. ... The win over Roger Clemens was the first time the Rays had beaten a 20-game winner.