Baseball unites nation of fans after tragedy

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 story of a country in mourning found renewed hope in the microcosm of American passion. That is baseball, highlighted by the devastated city and the dynasty in which they found solace. The 2001 World Series was a truly memorable experience for me.

A tied game in the bottom of the ninth – bases loaded and one out as Luis Gonzalez stepped to the plate. What happened next is a familiar storyline, where one city's fans inevitably deal with heartache, as the others bask in the glory of a championship. 

This time, however, was unfamiliar territory for the nation of baseball fans who experienced the transcendence of a game into a story of national hope and renewed patriotism, that spoke through the voice of the national pastime.  

As sports broadcaster Joe Buck put it, "The great American game of baseball plays on tonight, and will carry on long after.  A game woven into our country's fabric and foundation.  An inspiring escape back to a time of innocence ... for and in honor of the American people...."

Fifty-four days earlier, as the Twin Towers crumbled, the city of New York was the center of the world at large, as well as baseball world's attention. With games scheduled against my home team, the White Sox, being postponed a week, it was a week of solidarity in a league. The idea of the evil empire of baseball all but faded away.  

Officially, the term "Evil Empire" was not thrust upon the Yankees until a year later, but acrimonious feelings toward the team were in full swing after three consecutive championships. As a fan of an American League rival, I was no stranger to those feelings. 

One tragic day and many emotional ceremonies later, the tide of feelings turned, as the dynasty suddenly became something to cheer for and respect as a rare experience for a fan of the game.

I remember telling myself I really should not be cheering for those damn Yankees, but at the same time, I couldn't control myself from the excitement I felt every time the Yankees pulled ahead or got a big out on their way to a September series.

The battle on the mound was the stuff of legends.  Roger Clemens, the American League Cy Young winner that season, versus Curt Schilling, starting his third game of the series on just three days rest.  The tension increased with each at bat in every inning, – every pitch another stride toward indelibility.  

A clash of pitching and defense framed by clutch hitting, it was the true embodiment of the sport and exactly what America was looking for from the great game of baseball.

Moving forward once again to the bottom of that ninth inning, the Yankees appeared to have another Commissioner's Trophy in their grasp as Mariano Rivera took the mound with a 2-1 lead. Just under ten minutes later, the final blow to that empire was struck when Bank One Ballpark,( now Chase Field), was set ablaze as crowd favorite turned hero, Gonzo, delivered the first major professional sports victory in Arizona history. 

As Jay Bell crossed home plate with arms in air, one thing was certain – America's pastime stood up and delivered in rare fashion.  It was a kid's game that a wounded country got lost in to forget its pain, even if just for a moment.