First responders honored in tribute in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- The Cardinals and Braves recognized area first responders and looked back at a memorable moment at Busch Stadium on Sunday afternoon during ceremonies to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States.

The club honored emergency first responders of all stripes, including police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. The "We Shall Never Forget" logo, which baseball debuted in September 2001, was displayed on the field behind home plate.

Among those recognized on the field during the ceremony were St. Louis County police chief Col. Tim Fitch, St. Louis City police chief Col. Daniel Isom and St. Louis Fire Department Chief Dennis Jenkerson.

For many in attendance, though, the most resonant moment came before any of those people took the field. The Cardinals showed a video of the late Jack Buck reading his poem, "For America," which he first read at the previous Busch Stadium prior to the Cardinals' first game back on the field after the attacks.

• MLB.com's 2001 coverage after Sept. 11 • Baseball showed USA's post-9/11 resiliency • Castrovince: Public finds solace at ballparks • Bauman: However small, diversion is welcome • Noble: 10 years later, bagpipes and baseball • Giuliani recalls baseball's impact after 9/11 • Baseball recalls wide-ranging emotions • Bauman: Game shaken, resolved in aftermath • Mets' memories remain vivid • In New York, Cubs remember 9/11 heroes • Torre: Emotions from 9/11 remain today • Tragedy strikes 9/11 'Faces of Hope' • Where were they? Players recall 9/11 events • Events left impression on Fall Classic   Sights & Sounds: 2001 | 10 years later   Baseball Remembers: Pt. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5  Vin Scully on 9/11, 10 years later  Jack Buck's speech, poem  Giuliani on baseball's impact on recovery  First pitch: Shea Stadium | Yankee Stadium  Baseball's Best: Piazza's homer  Galleries: Tributes | First game back in NY More coverage ¬ Team travel became more complex after 9/11 Some stars from '01 still have impact today Announcers rekindled game's spirit Sammy saluted U.S. with flag-waving homer trot Yanks carried weight, hopes after 9/11 Day is one Mets will never forget After 9/11, 'God Bless America' a mainstay at ballgames Bauman: Baseball played part in healing Bodley: Bush's first pitch provided healing image Noble: 'First game back' a lasting memory for Chipper Film recalls 9/11 backdrop of 2001 Fall Classic Baseball plans day of remembrance for 9/11 Pain of 9/11 runs deep for NY native Cooper Marlins' Buck reflects on 9/11, recalls troops visit 9/11 still seared in Jays broadcaster's memory White Sox recall road trip to New York Chipper cherishes memento after all this time Braves' Hudson honored to take mound on 9/11 Francona: Baseball helped heal wounds Buck's touching speech resonates with Fredi Cuddyer's homers kept teammate off 9/11 flight Events of 9/11 etched in Marlins' memories Yost's 9/11 memories focus on aftermath September 11, One Year Later September 11, Five Years Later 9/11/2011 observances ¬ Collectively, Yanks and Halos honor 9/11 heroes Nationals pay tribute to 9/11 before finale Sen. McCain helps D-backs honor 9/11 victims Being in Washington special for Astros on 9/11 First responders honored in tribute in St. Louis Rays, Sox pause to honor those lost on 9/11 Tigers honor Detroit service workers Brewers, Phillies reflect on events of 9/11 Rockies, Reds pay tribute to 9/11 before game Indians reflect 10 years after Sept. 11 White Sox hold emotional 9/11 remembrance Rangers remember 9/11 with special ceremony Mariners pause to remember 9/11 Bucs, Marlins honor heroes, victims of 9/11 Royals players pause to remember 9/11 How you can help • 9/11 Memorial in New York • Flight 93 National Memorial • The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

"It is important that baseball and our country remember what happened on [this] day," said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez. "There are days during the baseball season that bring real emotion. Fourth of July, Labor Day, Memorial Day. Now, this is one of those days."

For an honorary first pitch, the Cardinals had St. Louisan Angela Brock-Bokern, who survived the attack on the World Trade Center. She threw to Albert Pujols, the only Cardinals player who was also on the team in 2001.

Players on both sides were fully cognizant of the magnitude of Sunday's events.

"I flew out of Newark Sept. 10 after the [2001] season ended," said Cardinals infielder Skip Schumaker. "There's a lot of emotion. I'm sure everybody has a story, they knew somebody or something. This day is about more than just a game. This is completely different than [singer] 'El Torito' throwing out a first pitch. This is a historic day that affected everybody in America."

Braves pitcher Tim Hudson was with Oakland in 2001 as a young Major Leaguer. On Sunday, he was the Braves' starter.

"It was a time that changed this country forever," Hudson said. "None of us will ever forget those involved. They are still our heroes."

As part of their commemoration, the Cardinals issued free game tickets to approximately 5,500 emergency first responders in the area. The St. Louis City First Responders Color Guard presented the nation's colors.

And then, of course, the clubs had to get back to work.

"You're going to be rightfully distracted by the significance of what it was, then you have to turn that button back to compete," said Cardinals manager Tony La Russa. "But it's the same for both teams. But it's not anything that happens easily. You have to make a point to put everything in its place."