Lee Greenwood returned to Yankee Stadium on Friday, September 11, 2026, delivering an emotional performance of “God Bless the USA” as New York marked the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. The powerful tribute became one of the most memorable moments of a night that was about far more than baseball.
The performance took place before the Yankees faced the Mets in a special Subway Series matchup honoring the nearly 3,000 people who lost their lives in the 2001 attacks. For many inside the stadium, Greenwood’s familiar patriotic anthem carried a deeper meaning than ever before.
As the singer took the field, the atmosphere changed. Fans who had come to watch a baseball game stood together in remembrance, while the emotional weight of the anniversary was felt throughout the packed stadium. Greenwood’s return added another powerful chapter to the city’s long tradition of honoring those affected by the tragedy.
The Yankees had carefully planned a series of tributes throughout the evening. A seven-minute video featuring members of the 2001 Yankees played on the outfield scoreboard before the game, allowing former players to reflect on the aftermath of the attacks and the role baseball played in helping New York recover.
Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez, Scott Brosius and former manager Joe Torre were among the members of the 2001 team welcomed back to Yankee Stadium. Their appearance brought back memories of a season when the city was grieving but continued searching for moments of hope and unity.
Greenwood’s performance followed the presentation of the colors and the national anthem, creating a solemn progression of remembrance before the first pitch. His song has long been associated with American pride, but its appearance at Yankee Stadium on this particular anniversary gave the performance an especially personal and emotional significance.
The ceremony also featured Brielle Saracini and her husband, Sean McGuire, throwing the ceremonial first pitches. Both lost their fathers in the attacks when they were children and later met through a support camp for young people who had lost parents on September 11.
Their appearance created one of the night’s most touching moments. Saracini’s father, Victor, was the captain of United Airlines Flight 175, while McGuire’s father, Patrick, was working in the South Tower when the attacks occurred. Their journey from childhood grief to standing together at Yankee Stadium reflected the lasting connections formed in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The Yankees also honored members of the NYPD, FDNY and Port Authority Police Department, along with organizations that have supported families and communities affected by September 11. A giant American flag was unfurled across the outfield as the stadium prepared for the ceremony.
For Greenwood, the appearance continued his long association with patriotic events and the song that has become one of his signature performances. But on this night, the focus was not on entertainment alone. The music served as part of a larger tribute to memory, resilience and the people who continue to carry the loss of September 11 with them.
The emotional atmosphere extended beyond the pregame ceremony. Fans throughout the stadium joined in patriotic chants, while the Yankees and Mets wore special first-responder caps commemorating the anniversary. Major League Baseball also organized tributes at ballparks across the country, including moments of silence and performances of “God Bless America.”
The Yankees ultimately defeated the Mets 6-4, but the final score was almost secondary to the meaning of the evening. The game became a gathering place for remembrance, bringing together generations of fans, former players, first responders and families who continue to honor those lost.
Twenty-five years after September 11 changed the United States forever, Lee Greenwood’s voice once again filled Yankee Stadium with a song of remembrance and national pride. For those in attendance, it was a deeply moving reminder that even after decades have passed, some memories remain impossible to forget.
