Yankees remember James Gandolfini with pre-game moment of silence

When news broke of James Gandolfini's untimely passing, players and teams around MLB responded in their own unique ways. In New York and New Jersey, a region where The Sopranos will always be revered, Gandolfini was honored and remembered with fondness and thanks.

The Yankees held a brief moment of silence before Thursday's matchup against the Rays, honoring the great actor and passionate sports fan.

Gandolfini will forever be remembered for his brutal and fascinating performance as Tony Soprano, but the actor had a gift for taking any text and bringing it to vivid, inspiring life. In 2002, he performed a moving rendition of Lou Gerhig's famous farewell speech at Yankee Stadium:

His absence is felt everywhere from New Jersey, to the Bronx, to Queens and all the way to Holsten's Ice Cream Parlor, where the show's iconic final scene was shot.

-- Dakota Gardner / MLB.com