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March 18, 2008

The Virginia Tech Game

From Ed Weathers, via the Virginia Tech Collegiate Times Online Edition:

Today, I am as proud as any Yankee fan on the planet.

I teach in the English Department here at Virginia Tech, and I was about 250 yards from the shootings when they happened. One of those killed was a student of mine, Ross Alameddine, a sophomore in one of my writing classes.

For the Yankees to be on campus today honoring Ross and the other shooting victims is special for me, for I am one of those millions of original New Yorkers who have been Yankee fans all their lives, and the Yankees have been part of my family forever.

My mother, however, is a Yankee fan of a higher order. Mom once slid off the sofa trying to help Yankee leftfielder Irv Noren stretch a single into a double. Out of sheer nervousness while watching Don Larson's perfect World Series game in 1956, she ironed (according to family legend) every curtain in the house. Today, at the age of 92 and now living in Blacksburg, she listens to every Yankee game on satellite radio. In winter, Mom lives for the start of spring training.

Last season, one month after the shootings at Tech, the Yankees owner gave the university $1 million for the victims' fund. No other team responded like that -- only my Yankees. Derek Jeter handed over the check.

Today the Yankees will play some baseball at Virginia Tech. My mother and I won't go to the game; it would be a bit too much for her, and I think students should get the few seats available.

Nevertheless, mom and I are mighty puffed-up Yankee fans today, and the game will be proof, one more time, that baseball -- any sport, really -- can still be common ground, and a playing field a place of comfort in times of trouble.

If someone, albeit a fan or a member of the media, has recently got under your skin, as a Yankees fan, with comments about the Yankees "lowering themselves" because of Shelley Duncan's slide or Billy Crystal's At Bat, reaach out to them today and ask them for some thoughts on what the Yankees did last year, and are doing today, for Virginia Tech.

And, thumbs up to MLB.TV for showing the game for free today on the internet.

Posted by WW Staff at March 18, 2008 09:17 AM

Comments

Definitely a special day for everyone on Virginia Tech's campus, whether or not they root for the Yankees or another team, or if they don't follow baseball at all.

I don't follow other teams' charitable contributions closely enough to say anything for or against, but I know that the Yanks have their heart in the right place and I'm proud of them.

Posted by: MJ [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 18, 2008 09:45 AM

If someone, albeit a fan or a member of the media, has recently got under your skin, as a Yankees fan...
---------------
You know, I pay those people little to no mind.

I am very happy the Yanks are doing what they're doing, and I appreciate MLB broadcasting the game for free.

Sometimes these guys do get it right :)

Posted by: Raf [TypeKey Profile Page] at March 18, 2008 10:12 AM