Cooperstown's ceremonies Sunday evoked memories of how the reaches of Ken Griffey Jr. and Mike Piazza touched Americans far beyond the playing field in the aftermath of the 9-11 terrorist attacks.
Griffey gave away the hat he wore on stage during his Baseball Hall of Fame induction to Tyler and Kristin Marino, who lost their NYC firefighter father on 9-11.
Griffey, who was their father's favorite player, hit a home run in 2001 in honor of the firefighter at the request of his widow, Katrina Marino. Griffey later met the Marino children when the Reds played the Mets in New York in July 2002.