High and low points of a season prolonged by attack on America. (WARM UP TOSSES).(baseball)

IN THE WAKE OF THE MASSIVE MURDER OF INNOCENT PEOPLE IN NEW YORK CITY, Washington and in southwestern Pennsylvania by a group of hate-filled terrorists on September 11, Major League Baseball did its bit to help restore a measure of normalcy to our nation by resuming its 2001 season the following week.

While that resumption served merely as a temporary diversion from the attack on America, it provided an additional stage for stirring shows of patriotic unity, this time among spectators attending games in such National League cities as Philadelphia, St. Louis and Pittsburgh.

At Busch Stadium in St. Louis, 32,563 patrons watched the Cardinals play the Brewers in a night game on September 17 as big league action was renewed.

In pre-game ceremonies, Cardinal announcer Jack Buck, 77, a Purple Heart recipient in World War II, addressed the crowd.

"We won't start, but we will end the fight," he said. "We have been challenged by a cowardly foe that strikes and then hides from view."

At Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium before the game between the Phillies and Braves, Greg Maddux recognized the changed attitude among local fans who are noted for shouting barbs at players of visiting teams.

"Running my sprints before the game," the Braves pitcher said, "there were no obscene remarks. It was like everybody was together, people in the stands, players on the field. It was like we were on the same team."