Philadelphia Phillies: Bin Laden's Death Brings Back Memories from 2001 Season

Usually nothing gets in between the bitter rivalry of the Mets in Phillies, but last night, Osama Bin Laden's death was another prime example of why baseball is still just a game.

In a city that gets a lot of negativity from the outside world, the Phillies fans exhibited nothing but class and patriotism when the news of Bin Laden's death spread quickly throughout Citizens Bank Park.

Suddenly eyes turned from the action on the field to mobile devices as the social networking services blew up with Bin Laden information.

With the game tied at one in the ninth inning, a Phillies win didn't matter so much.

As the game went on long into the night, memories of the patriotism demonstrated after the 9/11 attacks by Major League Baseball quickly entered my mind. 

Jack Buck's tribute to America poem, George Bush throwing out the first pitch of the 2001 World Series, and the Mets and Yankees wearing FDNY and NYPD hats were a few of many post-9/11 memories from the game.

It contributed to the healing process of an entire nation.  2001 was a year where it was okay to root for a New York team. 

It's fitting that the Mets were in action last night when the death of Osama Bin Laden was announced.

New York finally took the game 2-1 in 14 innings, but last night was a celebration for the United States. 

Bin Laden's death doesn't end the war on terror, and the families affected by the 9/11 attacks will never forget what happened. However, his death brings a psychological victory to the nation.

May 1, 2011 will never be forgotten in United States history.