Before putting on their pinstripes Tuesday, the New York Yankees arrived at Virginia Tech in suits and sunglasses. First stop, the moving memorial to victims of last year’s campus massacre.
Derek Jeter posed for a picture with a woman in front of the stone that commemorated her fiance. The shortstop’s only request to her was that she smile, which she did.
“It’s part of the reason that we’re here,” Jeter said. “People always ask, well, what can you do? How does this help? I really don’t know. If it just makes people smile or enjoy themselves for the three hours that we’re here, it’s all worthwhile.”
The Yankees brought Alex Rodriguez, Jason Giambi and other stars to Blacksburg, Va., for an exhibition game against college kids that was more about healing than baseball.
The final score didn’t matter. The message certainly did.
“There are certain things that happen that are so devastating that time stops,” Rodriguez said, comparing the Virginia Tech shootings to the terrorists attacks in 2001. “For me, this is one of them. This is probably the proudest day I’ve ever (had) to wear a Yankee uniform.”
Hearing that, Hokies coach Pete Hughes said, “knocks you on your heels.”
From beginning to end, the visit Yankees owner George Steinbrenner promised moments after seeing the tragedy unfolding on television last April 16 was one to remember.
The Yankees made a $1 million contribution last year to the Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, created to cover grief counseling, memorials and other costs for the victims and their families after Virginia Tech student Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people in two campus buildings before committing suicide.
The Yankees presented the donation to school president Charles Steger last May in New York, but the visit to Blacksburg was a key part of the assistance.
Before the game, 32 oversized orange balloons were released into the air as a tribute to the victims. In the first inning, Yankees manager Joe Girardi sat in the stands with football coach Frank Beamer.
“A young lady came up to me and said her brother was one of the children killed, and her mother thanks us for being here,” Girardi said. “That really hit me hard.”
During batting practice, the Yankees wore caps in the Hokies’ orange and maroon, their ‘NY’ emblem on the front and a ‘VT’ logo on the side. Those were also the caps worn by Virginia Tech, while the Yankees switched to a Navy blue for the game, still with both emblems.
Rodriguez, Jeter and most of New York’s starters came out in the fourth inning of an 11-0 victory. A-Rod strolled across the field with two bats and sat with the Hokies in their dugout.
“He was giving our guys trivia questions for his batting gloves and his bat,” Hughes said. “He signed everything they threw at him.”
Jeff Karstens pitched four innings for the Yankees, allowing both Virginia Tech hits and striking out two.
“I think it was just the sort of thing we were looking for,” said Virginia Tech pitcher Rob Waskiewicz, who retired the side in order in the third. “We’ve been through some hard times, and people are starting to feel better, but I think this was a great thing.”
In other news, George Sherrill was picked to be Baltimore’s closer, and the Cincinnati Reds sent Jeremy Affeldt back to the bullpen.
In other spring training games:
Twins 4, Orioles 2
At Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Joe Mauer hit a two-run homer and finished with three RBIs for Minnesota. The standout catcher is batting .458 this spring.
Dodgers 2, Marlins 1
At Jupiter, Fla., Florida left-hander Mark Hendrickson pitched six scoreless innings.
Nationals 9, Tigers 1
At Lakeland, Fla., Lastings Milledge homered against Detroit starter Jeremy Bonderman and Nick Johnson was 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and a walk for Washington.
Phillies 4, Rays 2
At Clearwater, Fla., Cole Hamels pitched six strong innings and Geoff Jenkins hit a two-run homer for Philadelphia. Hamels retired the first 14 batters before Evan Longoria homered in the fifth inning.
Pirates 8, Reds 4
At Sarasota, Fla., Paul Maholm allowed three runs in five innings for Pittsburgh and Jose Bautista homered against Reds starter Josh Fogg.
Padres 5, White Sox 0
At Tucson, Ariz., Wilfredo Ledezma allowed two hits in four innings to continue his strong push for a spot in San Diego’s rotation.
Angels 11, Brewers 4
At Tempe, Ariz., Torii Hunter hit his third homer this spring and Vladimir Guerrero also connected for the Angels.
Rangers 11, Athletics 6
At Surprise, Ariz., Luis Mendoza allowed two hits and one run over five innings as Texas ended Oakland’s seven-game winning streak.
Cubs 6, Royals 5
At Mesa, Ariz., Chicago slugger Aramis Ramirez hit a three-run drive for his first homer of the spring and Jason Marquis gave up one run in five-plus innings.
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