Valentine to throw first pitch to Torre

Former managers to be featured at Mets’ 9/11 ceremony

The Mets announced Wednesday they will bring back two New York baseball icons for Saturday’s 20th anniversary remembrance of the Sept. 11 attacks.

Stamford’s Bobby Valentine will toss the ceremonial first pitch to Joe Torre before the Mets host the Yankees at Citi Field. Valentine was the manager of the Mets while Torre managed the Yankees in 2001.

Former Mets players and coaches from the 2001 team will also be at the game, including Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza. It was Piazza who delivered a dramatic home run against Atlanta at Shea Stadium on Sept. 21, 2001 in the first New York sporting event after the attacks.

The Yankees and Mets will wear first responder caps during batting practice, representing FDNY,

NYPD, Port Authority Police Department, Department of Sanitation and Department of Corrections. First responders will also be on the field during the pregame ceremony.

Valentine, a Stamford mayoral candidate, will also appear with Torre for a Fireside Chat with broadcaster Bob Cosatas as they discuss the 2000 Subway Series at the Champion A Champion Golf Classic Sept. 20 at Tamarack Country

Club in Greenwich.

The second annual golf event is hosted by Hideki Matsui, founder of Matsui 55 Baseball Foundation, and Yumi Kuwana, founder and President of Global Citizens Initiative. Proceeds benefit the work each organization does to empower youth by fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and a global outlook.

Also appearing at the event: Former major-leaguers Ron Darling, John Franco, Tino Martinez, Mike Pagliarulo, and Frank Catalanotto, and former NBA player John Starks.

Jeff Zelevansky / Associated Press New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, left, and New York Yankees manager Joe Torre give an interview prior to the start of the World Series between the Mets and the Yankees on Oct. 21, 2000 in New York.

John Dunn / Associated Press New York Yankees manager Joe Torre, left, chats with New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine, right, before the second game of their three-game Subway Series at Shea Stadium in New York on June 27, 1998.