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Cyclones return to Coney Island in home opener

Cyclones return to Coney Island in home opener
Photo by Steve Solomonson

The Cyclones may have lost the home opener against the hated Staten Island Yankees, but fans stood proud nonetheless by honoring slain police detective Wenjian Liu when his parents threw out the season ceremonial first pitch at MCU Park on June 20.

Before the game, Wei Tang Liu and Xiu Yan Li, father and mother of the fallen hero, took the mound for a tribute that moved the 7,795 fans in attendance.

“I was happy the Cyclones did that,” said David Zubin, a diehard Cyclones fan and neighbor of the Liu family. “Everyone who came to the game gave them the respect they deserved for putting their lives on the line.”

Borough President Adams joined the parents on the mound and lauded their strength.

“In the wake of the tragic loss of their son, Detective Liu’s family, as well as the family of Detective Ramos, have found their way into what I consider our greater Brooklyn family,” Adams said. “Their strength and resolve are enduring tributes to our fallen heroes, as well as reminders of how we can turn pain into purpose. Throwing out the first pitch of the Cyclones’ season with Detective Liu’s parents was an honor and a privilege, giving Brooklynites one more opportunity to salute this family and their sacrifice.”

Liu and his partner, Rafael Ramos, were tragically shot and killed while sitting in their cruiser on Dec. 20, 2014.

Brooklyn’s Boys of Summer went on to fall 8–3 to the Yanks from the Rock, just a day after beating them 3–2 in 12 innings in their season opener on bucolic Staten Island.

Reach reporter Eric Faynberg at (718) 260–4587 or by e-mail at efaynberg@cnglocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericfaynberg.