Yankees pay tribute to college slaying victims

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

BLACKSBURG, Virginia (AFP) — In an emotional tribute to 32 slain students, the New York Yankees were moved to tears here Tuesday as the Major League Baseball stars played an exhibition game against Virginia Tech.

The Yankees' 11-0 victory was far less important to the 5,500 people in attendance than honoring the memory of the victims who were gunned down 11 months ago in a murderous rampage by South Korean-born student Cho Seung-Hui.

"People ask 'How does a visit like this help?'" said Yankees superstar Derek Jeter. "I really don't know, but if people are smiling and enjoying themselves for the few hours we're here then it's worthwhile."

A pre-game memorial saw 32 orange balloons released into the sky, each symbolic of a victim of the tragedy here last April...