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NBC has given its tributes to its fallen anchor and bureau chief Tim Russert. Official Washington has done likewise, as has his hometown of Buffalo, N.Y.
Not to be outdone, Major League Baseball is readying an encomium of its own, at the All-Star Game on July 15.
We hear that MLB Commissioner Bud Selig approached Russert’s family about the tribute, which fittingly takes place at Yankee Stadium in the final year of the “House That Ruth Built” before it’s torn down. (Before becoming a devoted Nats fan, Russert grew up a Yankees fan.) An MLB spokesman refused to comment, saying that details were still being worked out.
We asked Mike Barnicle, a longtime Russert friend and lifelong Red Sox fan, for his take on such a tribute taking place at Yankee Stadium.
“The Red Sox have also chosen to honor Tim by winning their second straight World Series this year and beating the Yankees again,” Barnicle said with a chuckle. Barnicle will attend Major League Baseball’s tribute to Russert at Yankee Stadium, but you won’t see him wearing his Red Sox hat.
“The last time I wore my Red Sox hat in Yankees Stadium was in October 2004, when the Red Sox beat the Yankees for the American League pennant,” Barnicle said. “It was one of the great moments of my life and Tim was sitting next to me.”
