A protester ran onto the Yankee Stadium field at exactly 9:11 p.m. on the 25th anniversary of September 11.
Kelly Marcucci, 38, of Long Island sprinted from the left-field stands and headed toward center field waving a large Palestinian flag. Stadium security gave chase, tackled him to the outfield grass, and pinned him down while thousands of fans launched into loud chants of “USA! USA!” Spectators near the removal route hurled beer cans and drinks at Marcucci as officers carried him beyond the center-field wall. Some in the crowd also shouted profanities.
The disruption hit during the top of the seventh inning of the Subway Series opener between the New York Yankees and New York Mets on Friday, September 11. A sellout crowd of 47,410 had filled the stadium. The Yankees were leading 5-2 at the time, with the Mets loading the bases and Francisco Lindor in a full count against Yankees reliever Brent Headrick when Marcucci made his move. Players stood aside as security swarmed the field.
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As originally reported, Marcucci was wearing a white jersey with the anti-Trump slogan “No Kings” on the front. Video of the incident shows multiple officers forcing him to the ground before lifting and carrying him away. He appeared to struggle and kick at officers during the removal. The Yankees declined to issue any public statement on the incident.
The NYPD identified Marcucci and charged him with misdemeanor trespassing and interference with a professional sporting event. He was arrested and given a desk appearance ticket requiring a court appearance. The New York Post reported that Marcucci had described himself online as a “revisionist Marxist” and “spiritual tactician.” Hours before the game, he had posted a lengthy message touching on capitalism, Zionism, Saudi Arabia, and the September 11 attacks.
The delay was brief. Headrick threw a few warm-up pitches as security cleared the field, then retired Lindor on one pitch, a line drive back to the mound. The Yankees went on to win 6-4. Carlos Rodón allowed two runs, one earned, while striking out eight over 6 1/3 innings. Cody Bellinger supplied the decisive blow with a three-run home run in the second inning.
The night had opened with a sweeping ceremony honoring the victims, survivors, and first responders of the 2001 attacks. Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Joe Torre, Jorge Posada, Paul O’Neill, and Tino Martinez all participated. Country singer Lee Greenwood performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” and a seven-minute tribute ran on the scoreboard. Both teams wore caps honoring first responders.
Brielle Saracini and Sean McGuire threw ceremonial first pitches. Both lost their fathers on September 11 and later met at a summer camp for children of victims. Saracini’s father, United Airlines Captain Victor Saracini, piloted Flight 175 into the World Trade Center’s South Tower. Jeter, who befriended Saracini after she wrote him a letter as a grieving 10-year-old, watched from the mound as she delivered the pitch.
