Some things are bigger than sports, and that concept was proven on-the-field at Yankee Stadium Thursday afternoon. The New York Yankees took a moment before beginning their doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox to honor a player, not on the home team, but on the away team, for their perseverance in an incredibly difficult situation.

It was a classy move by the organization, and a great day for the game of baseball overall.

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New York Yankees Honor White Sox Closer Liam Hendriks Following Cancer Battle

Before the Yankees and White Sox began their doubleheader in New York on Thursday, the Yankees took a moment to honor White Sox closer, Liam Hendriks, for his courage and perseverance as he battled cancer this past winter and spring.

Hendriks was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in December before announcing it publicly in January, according to CNN. He was able to make it through treatment, and made his miraculous return to Major League Baseball on Monday, May 29th.

Ten days later, the Yankees got their opportunity to honor Hendriks. Check out this post on their official Twitter account:

Here's more on the ceremony from Bryan Hoch:

Here's another look at the scene at Yankee Stadium, from Twitter user Scott Merkin:

As mentioned above, this is a truly classy move by the organization to honor Hendriks, and make a financial donation of this magnitude to help fund cancer research and treatment.

The community of players in Major League Baseball is a tightly-knit one. Though Hendriks does not wear pinstripes, you can guarantee that his battle was followed closely by every member of the Yankees' roster, and that his return to the mound was welcomed by everyone in the league.

Chicago White Sox v New York Yankees
Hendriks pitching at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday / Getty Images
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