On Wednesday, September 9, the Phillies and Toyota will team up to host First Responders Night at the 6:40 p.m. game against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park. The club will join Major League Baseball in celebrating the men and women who bravely serve our country and community, as well as pause to remember those who lost their lives 25 years ago on September 11, 2001.
Fans are encouraged to be in their seats by 6:15 p.m. for the special pregame lineup of events. As part of the ceremonies, the Phillies and Toyota will also recognize the incredible work of Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the families of fallen and critically injured first responders and building healthy connections in the communities they serve.
In remembrance of that tragic day, The Tug McGraw Foundation will host Echoes of Resilience – A 25th Anniversary 9/11 Performance Session & Luncheon, at noon that day in the Philadelphia Insurance Club at Citizens Bank Park. First responders from various non-profit organizations have been invited to attend this interactive opportunity to learn from elite military operators including former Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral James “Sandy Winnefield, a 21-year veteran of Naval Special Warfare and a 20-year veteran of SEAL Team 3 and Team 7 (both names withheld) as well as a special guest, Phillies alumni Larry Bowa, who was the team’s manager during the return of baseball after the September 11 attacks.
LINEUP FOR PHILLIES FIRST RESPONDERS NIGHT PRESENTED BY TOYTOA
- Before the game, members of local police and fire departments will present the 50 state flags. The Delaware State Police Honor Guard will also participate in this on-field ceremony.
- The national anthem will be performed by Delaware State Police Captain Jonathan Packard, who will also perform “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch. Following the anthem, fans will be asked to take part in a moment of silence in recognition of those who lost their lives on 9/11.
- Families Behind the Badge Children’s Foundation President Bob White and Executive Director Mark O’Connor will be presented with a $5,000 donation on behalf of Toyota by Bob McCormick, Secretary of the Toyota Tri-State Dealers Association, and Jackie Cuddeback, Phillies Chief Revenue Officer.
- Danielle Deck, whose husband Wissahickon Fire Company Deputy Chief Jonathan Deck lost his battle to cancer 11 months ago, will throw a ceremonial first pitch on behalf of Toyota. Earlier this summer, Danielle participated in the 65-mile Ben to the Shore Bike Tour, raising a record-setting $37,050.
ABOUT TRI-STATE TOYOTA DEALERS ASSOCIATION
The Tri-State Toyota Dealers Association (TDA) is comprised of 25 Toyota Dealers in the Greater Philadelphia market dedicated to providing customers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, Northwestern Delaware and Southern New Jersey communities with Toyota vehicle sales and service.
ABOUT TOYOTA
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our more than 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 50 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.