Fallon
09-13-2001, 06:56 PM
MLB postpones games through Sunday; Series pushed to November
MILWAUKEE (TICKER) -- Major League Baseball has postponed its games through Sunday in the wake of the terrorist attacks that occured in New York and outside Washington on Tuesday morning.
The schedule will resume on Monday and the six days of games missed have been re-scheduled for the first week of October, likely pushing the World Series into November for the first time in history.
"While I recognize the suffering from Tuesday's horrific tragedy continues, I believe that in the spirit of national recovery and return to normalcy, Major League Baseball, as a social institution can best be helpful by resuming play at the most appropriate time," commissioner Bud Selig said. "I believe that time is Monday."
Selig made his announcement hours after the NFL elected to call off games for this weekend.
"The more I thought about it, I couldn't rationalize starting any earlier than Monday," Selig said.
MLB's decision to complete the 162-game regular season in October assures that certain teams and individuals will have a chance to break historic records.
The Seattle Mariners are attempting to become the winningest team in major league history, while San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds is chasing Mark McGwire's mark of 70 homers in a season.
"I believe in the sanctity of the 162-game schedule," Selig added.
Selig also stated that baseball will make contributions to the national recovery efforts. A moment of silence will be observed at every game on Monday and teams will ask its fans to join in a singing of "God Bless America."
In addition, players will wear American flags on the backs of their uniforms through the remainder of the season.
"All of Major League Baseball grieves for the victims and their families after this heinous attack on our country," Selig said.
The change in the schedule will allow two baseball icons to close their careers in their home ballparks.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.'s final games will be at Camden Yards against the Boston Red Sox, while the San Diego Padres will host the Colorado Rockies as Tony Gwynn's career comes to an end.
With New York as the focal point for the attack, Shea Stadium -- the home of the Mets -- has served as a staging area for rescue workers. The Mets late Thursday announced they would swap home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos.
New York will play both series next week on the road and the Pirates and Expos will come to New York the first week of October.
"We've had discussions with Major League Baseball and the Pirates all afternoon," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "Because of the events this week in New York and Washington, we just felt that not playing in Shea on Monday was a sign of respect for all the suffering and sorrow that's gone on in New York this week.
"The Pirates agreed wholeheartedly with our suggestion and Major League Baseball had no problem with it, either. We just felt it was the right thing to do."
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MILWAUKEE (TICKER) -- Major League Baseball has postponed its games through Sunday in the wake of the terrorist attacks that occured in New York and outside Washington on Tuesday morning.
The schedule will resume on Monday and the six days of games missed have been re-scheduled for the first week of October, likely pushing the World Series into November for the first time in history.
"While I recognize the suffering from Tuesday's horrific tragedy continues, I believe that in the spirit of national recovery and return to normalcy, Major League Baseball, as a social institution can best be helpful by resuming play at the most appropriate time," commissioner Bud Selig said. "I believe that time is Monday."
Selig made his announcement hours after the NFL elected to call off games for this weekend.
"The more I thought about it, I couldn't rationalize starting any earlier than Monday," Selig said.
MLB's decision to complete the 162-game regular season in October assures that certain teams and individuals will have a chance to break historic records.
The Seattle Mariners are attempting to become the winningest team in major league history, while San Francisco Giants outfielder Barry Bonds is chasing Mark McGwire's mark of 70 homers in a season.
"I believe in the sanctity of the 162-game schedule," Selig added.
Selig also stated that baseball will make contributions to the national recovery efforts. A moment of silence will be observed at every game on Monday and teams will ask its fans to join in a singing of "God Bless America."
In addition, players will wear American flags on the backs of their uniforms through the remainder of the season.
"All of Major League Baseball grieves for the victims and their families after this heinous attack on our country," Selig said.
The change in the schedule will allow two baseball icons to close their careers in their home ballparks.
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr.'s final games will be at Camden Yards against the Boston Red Sox, while the San Diego Padres will host the Colorado Rockies as Tony Gwynn's career comes to an end.
With New York as the focal point for the attack, Shea Stadium -- the home of the Mets -- has served as a staging area for rescue workers. The Mets late Thursday announced they would swap home series with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Montreal Expos.
New York will play both series next week on the road and the Pirates and Expos will come to New York the first week of October.
"We've had discussions with Major League Baseball and the Pirates all afternoon," Mets general manager Steve Phillips said. "Because of the events this week in New York and Washington, we just felt that not playing in Shea on Monday was a sign of respect for all the suffering and sorrow that's gone on in New York this week.
"The Pirates agreed wholeheartedly with our suggestion and Major League Baseball had no problem with it, either. We just felt it was the right thing to do."
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