Preview, #146: 9/11 @ Mets

It’s strange to think that it’s now eighteen years since the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. There is now an entire generation - probably just about everyone 21 and below - who are too young to recall where they were on that day. It was certainly one which I will never forget, as the unfolding horrors of the attacks became apparent. We had a film-maker friend from New York visiting us, having screened his film the previous night. Mrs. SnakePit was also born and grew up in Queens, and still had many friends there. They included Police Officer Vinnie Danz, who was killed while trying to rescue people out of the World Trade Center, so this is a day which means a lot to us.

A couple of months later, of course, the Diamondbacks visited New York to play in the World Series against the Yankees. And were gracious enough to lose all three games played there. The experience of that series remains every bit as memorable as the tragic events of 9/11 - indeed, probably in no small part, due to what had preceded it. Baseball played a part in the nation recovering from the tragedy, and I’ll forever be grateful the Diamondbacks were a small element of that, in turn. A couple of years ago, we made our first trip to New York since 9/11, and got to visit the memorial near the new WTC. It was a freezing cold night, but was another experience we won’t soon forget.

Tonight in New York, I’m sure there will be some acknowledgement of the events of 2001. But it will then be time for Robbie Ray to take the mound and act as stopper to the D-backs’ current three-game losing streak. The team didn’t lose any ground on the Cubs, thanks to their defeat in extra innings by the Padres. But they now sit behind both the Brewers and the Phillies in the wild-card hunt, though the former have to come to terms with losing MVP candidate Christian Yelich for the rest of the year. A further defeat tonight would also mean Arizona gets leap-frogged by New York. With 16 games left, that’s going to undo much of the good work during the recent winning streak. Here’s to a good #RayDay, and no blisters!