Yankees, Tigers pay tribute to 9-11 victims

NEW YORK -- Flags flew at half-staff and Yankee Stadium was silent for 15 seconds Thursday night during a low-key ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Terrorists unsuccessfully attempted to break the spirit of our great nation," Bob Sheppard, the Yankees' longtime public address announcer, told the crowd.

"New York City firefighters, EMS personnel and police officers performed courageous acts of heroism that inspired the country," he said.

On the first anniversary of the attacks, the Yankees dedicated a monument in Monument Park to the "victims and heroes" of Sept. 11, and ceremonies included saxophonist Branford Marsalis playing "Taps."

During Thursday's ceremonies, Yankees pitcher David Wells gave a $40,000 check to the Silver Shield Foundation, which assists funding the education of the children of police and firefighters who died in the attacks. Color guards from the police and fire departments were on the field as "God Bless America" was sung, and a pair of fans behind home plate held up an American flag.

"I'm sure our lives will never be the same again," Yankees manager Joe Torre said before the game.

Torre spent Thursday morning at home with his family.

"It was very tough. I watched TV. I turned it off," he said. "It's a sad day, yet it's a proud day. You never want to forget what happened two years ago. I don't know how Dec. 7 affected people back in the '40s. It has to be something similar."

Torre said the attacks and aftereffects put in perspective the events that surround the Yankees.

"It certainly keeps you from thinking it's the end of the world if something goes wrong here," he said.

Detroit manager Alan Trammell was in San Diego at the time of the attacks. He wasn't worried about another terrorist attack while his team was in New York, saying he felt well protected.

"I have all the faith in the world in our people here," he said.