Photo of Johnny Damon and other Yankees shaking the hands of Virginia Tech players in Blacksburg, VA by AP/Don Petersen
With all the talk in the past week of the Yankees' lowering themselves -- by starting a fight and by allowing a 59-year-old Billy Crystal to take an at-bat -- cynics Tuesday had a tough time knocking the Yankees down another peg. That's because the team flew up to Blacksburg, Va., site of Virginia Tech and the shootings that took place April 16, 2007. While there, players and coaches viewed the memorial and won an exhibition game against the Hokies, 11-0.
This wasn't just minor leaguers either. Every regular position player -- save Hideki Matsui -- and the backups made the trip. The only Virginia Tech students disappointed were the ones who were hoping to spy a pitcher or Jose Molina; the backup catcher had to stay back with those who needed to throw that day in Tampa, Fla. Derek Jeter posed for pictures with friends and family of the victims, including the fiancee of one who died. Alex Rodriguez spent the third inning signing autographs in the dugout with the Hokies baseball players. The Yankees wore maroon hats during batting practice and a Virginia Tech logo on their regular caps during the game. Wednesday brings the players back to the lives of multimillionaire athletes, but Tuesday's game showed a side not usually displayed by such a corporate organization.
