The Houston Astros and The Washington Nationals honored the victims of the Florida shooting during their spring opener game on Friday by wearing baseball caps with the school’s initials.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School baseball coach Todd Fitz-Gerald and his sons were guests of the Houston Astros at the game in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Both Fitz-Gerald and his son Hunter, a junior, were on campus during the Valentine’s Day massacre, in which 14 students and three teachers were killed by former student Nikolas Cruz, 19.
Washington Nationals pitcher Tim Collins wears the cap of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagles baseball team before the start of an exhibition spring training baseball game against the Houston Astros Friday, in West Palm Beach, Florida
‘We’re not going to let one individual define who we are,’ Fitz-Gerald said on Friday.
He added said it was a ‘relief’ to get back to the sport he loves and to stop thinking, at least for a moment, about the shooting.
‘You can’t put it into words,’ he said, fighting back tears.
‘I think it’s great what Major League Baseball is doing to show support for our community and our school. It’s been a rough week and just being out here … (gives me) a sense of freedom.’
Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch said he hopes wearing the caps would let those affected by the shooting know that they’re thinking about them.
‘The only thing we can do is bring some recognition and offer our support,’ Hinch said.
Houston Astros manager A.J. Hinch, right, talks with Douglas Stoneman High School’s baseball head coach Todd Fitz-Gerald, center, and his son, Hunter Fitz-Gerald, left, during baseball spring training in West Palm Beach, Florida
Houston Astros shortstop Carlos Correa chats with Douglas Stoneman High School’s baseball head coach Todd Fitz-Gerald, left, and his son, Hunter Fitz-Gerald, right
‘I think around baseball we have heavy hearts that we even have to do this because of the tragedy that happened. For us to wear their hats, for us to tell them that we’re on their side is our way to kind of galvanize everybody, get everybody together in one setting and let them know they’re not alone.’
Major League Baseball has ordered more than 2,500 of the Stoneman Douglas caps from New Era, league spokesman Steven Arrocho said.
Many teams will have players sign them, and they will be auctioned to benefit the victims and families affected by the shooting.
Meanwhile, an official Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School apparel website has been launched, where t-shirts, hats and hoodies have gone on sale.
All proceeds from the website will go directly to the students and teachers at the school.
Stoneman Douglas, which won a state title in 2016, counts several baseball players as alumni, led by Chicago Cubs star Anthony Rizzo.
He left camp in Arizona to return to Parkland the day after the shooting, gave an emotional speech at a candlelight vigil and later visited victims in the hospital.
He wasn’t in the lineup for Chicago’s game on Friday, but wore the hat bearing his high school’s initials while working out.
Seventeen people dressed as angels stand at the memorial outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Sunday
Seventeen people dressed as angels stand at the memorial outside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Sunday
Down the road in Jupiter, Florida, the rest of the Stoneman Douglas baseball team as well as the school’s softball team were guests of the Marlins before their game against the St. Louis Cardinals.
‘It’s helping us feel better and it shows that we are one big family,’ Stoneman Douglas center fielder Ryan Shinko said. ‘It’s not just us.’
Stoneman Douglas pitcher Connor Brian, a senior who will play baseball at Middle Tennessee State next season, had the names of all 17 victims written on the bill of his cap.
‘It just gives me a remembrance when I’m pitching to do it for them,’ Brian said.
Marlins players and staff wore maroon shirts that read ‘MSDSTRONG,’ and CEO Derek Jeter mingled with the teams and posed for selfies with some players.
The revered former New York Yankees shortstop drew on his experience in dealing with 9/11, telling players that they can help the community heal.
‘When I was in New York playing after September 11, obviously you’ll never forget what happened, but at least for those three hours we gave people something they could cheer for,’ Jeter said.
‘We appreciated that and we sort of took that and ran with it as an organization. I think a lot of times professional sports teams, sports teams in general, can help distract people, so to speak.’
Before the first pitch, the Marlins and Cardinals observed 17 seconds of silence in memory of the victims. Douglas players and coaches watched from seats behind home plate.
‘In Parkland, there’s not a lot of smiles,’ said Dustin Brian, Connor’s father and a former Douglas assistant coach. ‘That’s why I think this is so cool, getting them away from the community.’
At the New York Yankees’ opener against Detroit, both teams lined up along the foul lines for a moment of silence before the game. A flickering candle was shown on the left-field video board.
‘You know a community is hurting right now,’ Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. ‘Baseball sometimes can play a part in helping with the healing process.’