A man carrying a Palestinian flag ran onto the field at Yankee Stadium during Friday night’s Subway Series matchup, with the interruption unfolding at 9:11 p.m. on the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The incident occurred in the seventh inning of the Yankees-Mets game in The Bronx, as the man raced across the field waving the flag and drawing an immediate, furious reaction from the crowd.
Many fans responded with chants of “USA! USA!” while others could be heard shouting expletives at the intruder.
The disruption came on a solemn night across New York, as the city commemorated 25 years since the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
It was not immediately known how the man was able to make his way onto the playing field.
As security moved in, fans threw drinks toward the protester, who appeared to kick at guards while being carried off the field.
The scene interrupted an already emotional evening at Yankee Stadium, where the crosstown rivals had gathered for a game tied to tributes honoring the nearly 3,000 people killed in the attacks.
Before first pitch, the Yankees aired a seven-minute tribute video on the outfield scoreboard, featuring members of the 2001 team reflecting on the days and weeks after Sept. 11.
Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Paul O’Neill, Bernie Williams and Jorge Posada were among the former Yankees who appeared in the remembrance.
Country singer Lee Greenwood later performed “God Bless the USA,” earning a loud ovation from the crowd and sparking more “USA” chants throughout the stadium.
The Yankees also honored members of the 2001 roster, a team whose postseason run to the World Series became part of the city’s healing process in the aftermath of the attacks.
Jeter, Posada, O’Neill, Tino Martinez, Scott Brosius, Mariano Rivera and former manager Joe Torre walked onto the field before the game to sustained applause.
Two people who lost their fathers in the attacks — Brielle Saracini and her husband, Sean McGuire — threw out the ceremonial first pitches.
More coverage on the 25th Anniversary of 9/11:
Both were 10 years old when their fathers were killed on Sept. 11, 2001. The pair later met at Camp Better Days, an organization created to support children who lost parents in the attacks.
Members of the 2001 Yankees stood behind the couple near the mound as they delivered the pitches.
Mets interim manager Andy Green had described the significance of the matchup before the game.
“It’s gonna be special,” Green told reporters.
“I think obviously it takes us back 25 years and all of the emotions and uncertainty we felt that day. The pain we felt for people who lost loved ones.”
“It’s gonna be incredibly special. Major League Baseball got this one right by putting these two teams against each other on this day.”
— Additional reporting by Thomas Gamba-Ellis
