Yankees players and fans pay tribute to Catherine Tusiani - the wife of a team exec and mom-of-two - after she was crushed to death by tree driving through rainstorm in upstate NY

Yankee Stadium fell silent ahead of Friday's home opener against the Blue Jays as players and fans paid tribute to the late Catherine Tusiani.

Tusiani, who was 50 and the wife of a New York Yankees sales executive, was crushed to death by a tree during a rainstorm in upstate New York on Wednesday. 

She died while traveling northbound on Route 128 in Armonk, with police claiming the tree struck her Toyota less than half a mile from her home.

Tusiani's husband, and father to their two daughters, Michael J. Tusiani, is the senior vice president of partnerships for the Yankees. 

On Friday, as New York prepared for its first home game of the 2024 season, the stadium held a moment's silence as a mark of respect to Tusiani.

Catherine Tusiani, 50, died on Wednesday after a tree crushed her car in Armonk. Her husband, Michael J. Tusiani (right), is the senior vice president of partnerships for the Yankees

Yankee Stadium fell silent before Friday's home opener as players and fans paid tribute to her

The mother-of-two's name and face appeared on the Yankee Stadium jumbotron as supporters and the two teams fell quiet.

At the end of his press conference ahead of Friday's home opener, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said his team would be playing with 'heavy hearts' following the tragedy.

Boone struggled to contain his emotions when discussing the death of Tusiani, insisting the Yankees would play for her on Friday and all season.

The North Castle Police Department said the tree struck her Toyota between School Street and Leisure Farm Drive around 5.30 pm. 

The North Castle Police Department said the tree struck her Toyota between School Street and Leisure Farm Drive around 5.30 pm

She was less than half a mile from her home as the uncontrollable 50mph wind gusts knocked down the tree. 

'Words cannot capture the devastating impact that is being felt within the Yankees family after the sudden and tragic loss of Cathy Tusiani,' the Yankees said in a statement.

'Cathy was beloved by out front office staffers, who were privileged to experience and hear witness to her kindness, intelligence, sense of humor, and great love for her husband, Michael, over the two-plus decades of dedicated service he has provided the Yankees organization and the Steinbrenner family.'

'As we share in the pain and grief with Michael, daughters Alexa and Julia, and the entire Tusiani family, the Yankees stand with them to offer our complete support and unconditional love as we navigate this unimaginable loss.'