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Roger Mooney

Roger Mooney covers the Tampa Bay Rays for The Tampa Tribune, TBO.com and News Channel 8. He has covered the Rays since their first season in 1998, including 11 years for the Bradenton Herald. Roger has also covered Florida, South Florida and Florida State football, the Bucs and the Lightning.

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Rays plans for home game on 9/11

Posted Sep 2, 2011 by Roger Mooney

Updated Sep 2, 2011 at 08:09 AM

The Rays will mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States when they host the Boston Red Sox at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 11 at Tropicana Field.

“The Rays will join communities across America in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the events of September 11, 2001,” said team president Matt Silverman.  “We will gather together to remember those who lost their lives and to honor the first responders and other heroes for their actions that solemn day.”

The schedule of events includes static displays in and around Tropicana Field, on-field ceremonies, a video tribute to the victims of Sept. 11 and recognition of the Tampa Bay area’s first responders.  The Rays will recognize the first responders from across the Tampa Bay region.  The first 30,000 fans will receive a miniature American flag and the first 10,000 kids 14 and under will receive a Rays Fire Helmet presented by Chili’s.

The static displays include a steel beam from the rubble of the fallen World Trade Center in New York City, two St. Petersburg Fire Department ladder trucks will suspend a large American flag over the Rotunda entrance at Gate 1, a message wall where fans can write messages to first responders and victims of 9-11 and the University of South Florida robotics machine that was used in the recovery and search after the attacks.  A commemorative 9.11.01 message will be inscripted on the back of the pitcher’s mound and a remembrance logo visible throughout the ballpark.

Eighteen local fire chiefs, police chiefs, and military personnel will throw out ceremonial first pitches as will Captain Mark Bogush from Tampa Fire Rescue.

Captain Bogush and his search and rescue K9 Marley were dispatched to the World Trade Center days after the attacks.  One hundred local first responders will unfurl a 150’ by 300’ American Flag as part of the pregame ceremonies.

At all major league parks on Sunday, a special MLB video will be shown and all major league players will wear caps and jerseys featuring an American flag patch.

The national anthem will be performed by Hillsborough County Sheriff Belinda Denbigh, who will also sing “God Bless America” in the seventh inning.