Yankees Try Its Hand at Healing

As the anniversary of the tragedy of April 16 draws ever closer, something happened that still has people in a state of disbelief—the New York Yankees came to Blacksburg, VA and played an exhibition game against the Virginia Tech Hokies baseball team. 

Derek Jeter, A-Rod, Jorge Posada, Johnny Damon, and the rest of the Yankees were in Blacksburg.  The Yankees put what could be its opening day lineup on the field to play the Hokies.  I attended the game and yet it seems so surreal looking back on it.  The Yankees were in Blacksburg and played a game against our baseball team at tiny English Field (temporary capacity of 5000)?  Was I dreaming?  But it was no dream, the Yankees really were here.

Many people remember that the Yankees presented a check for $1 Million to Charles Steger, the Virginia Tech President, at a game in New York in May, but included with the check was also a promise from Steinbrenner.  He said that the Yankees would play an exhibition game in Blacksburg during spring training 2008.

At the time of the promise, the feeling was that somehow the exhibition game just wouldn’t work out or it would somehow be forgotten.  But Steinbrenner was determined to follow through with the promise and on March 18 the game was played. 

The Yankees flew up to Blacksburg from camp in Tampa Bay, FL in the morning, visited the Hokie Stone monument to pay their respects, played the game, and then flew back to Tampa to continue preparations for the upcoming season.  Despite the inconvenience, the Yankees followed through on their promise and helped many in Blacksburg take another step in the healing process.

This game was an immense blessing to those of us who are a part of the Virginia Tech community.  As a lifelong resident of Blacksburg and an alumnus of Tech as of August ’07, this game meant so much to me.  While I didn’t know any of the victims personally, I am a part of the community and it has taken a huge toll on me and everyone on the campus and throughout Blacksburg. 

The fact that a major league baseball team just a couple weeks from the start of the 2008 season would be willing to interrupt its routine to come visit Blacksburg means more to me and everyone involved than can be expressed with mere words.  The gift of one million dollar meant a great deal but the personal visit from the Yankees accomplished so much more than just money.  It is a reminder that our pain and suffering have not been forgotten though eleven months have passed.

I believe that this game also helped ease the burden that Virginia Tech athletic teams have felt.  The baseball team played the University of Miami in Blacksburg just four days after April 16.  It was an intensely emotional game and I cannot imagine being a part of a team that must have felt the weight of the entire university on its shoulders. 

The football team surely felt the pressure during the ’07-’08 season and all the other programs here provided a chance for escape for students, faculty, staff, and others.  But who was there for the athletes?  Sure they had coaches, counselors, fans, etc. but where could they go to escape?  I hope that this game allowed them to do that.  Sure the baseball team was playing but this was a once-in-a-lifetime event for the players.  They had fun and got to fulfill the dream of playing against the Yankees regardless of the final score.

No matter one’s feelings towards the Yankees, which may range from adoration to neutrality to hated rival, I believe that all Hokies were touched.  My respect for the Yankees as people and as an organization increased immensely as the game was played and it became obvious that they were having fun and were glad to be in Blacksburg.  While many folks will still continue to root against the Yankees during the season I believe that they will still respect them and be thankful for everything the Yankees have done for us.

So to the Yankees I, and surely all Hokies, say: “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to come visit Blacksburg and help the healing process.  While it may not seem like much to you because you are just playing the game you love and are paid to play it helps more than you can imagine.  God bless you all and thank you so much.”