Angels, Yankees to recognize Sept. 11 with pregame ceremony

Two former New York City Fire Department officials, including one who survived the attacks on the World Trade Center, will be part of a special ceremony recognizing the 10^th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks before Sunday’s game between the Angels and New York Yankees in Angel Stadium.

Joe Torillo, a retired New York City Fire Department lieutenant and survivor of the World Trade Center attack, will be one of six ceremonial first-pitch participants who will throw balls to Manager Mike Scioscia, Torii Hunter and Jered Weaver of the Angels, and Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada and Mariano Rivera of the Yankees.

Robert Schiavone, a member of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department but in 2001 a member of NYFD Ladder Company 39, which was part of the rescue mission when the World Trade Center towers collapsed, will throw a first pitch.

The other four first-pitch participants will be Christopher Suprun, a firefighter/paramedic from North Carolina who responded to the attack on the Pentagon near Washington; Mike Murphy, a member of the Navy SEALs; and Eric Franssens and Chet Henderson, who have both served multiple tours of duty in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The national anthem will be performed by the Orange County Sheriff's Bugle Corps, and the Orange County Fire Authority Color guard will present the nation’s colors while 250 local police, fire and military volunteers unfurl a giant American flag in the outfield.

-- Mike DiGiovanna