Former Mets pitcher Al Leiter tells his harrowing 9/11 story of a quiet trip turned tragedy

Decades later, appearing on OutKick's "The Craig Carton Show," Leiter recalled the events of that fateful morning.His story began with a father wanting to be present for a family milestone.Al Leiter #22 of the New York Mets pitches during a Major League Baseball game circa 2002 at Shea Stadium in Queens, New York City.Leiter played for the Mets from 1998-2004.

(Getty Images)CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEDespite a scheduled game in Pittsburgh, Leiter quietly flew home to New York without informing team management."I wanted to be there for my daughter's first grade," Leiter said."She was scared.You know, 'We'll be there, honey.' And I'm like playing a long time, I'm probably 15, 16 years in the big leagues, whatever.

And I knew if it wasn't Pittsburgh, US Air had like a flight like every hour, was like a shuttle.Drop her off, get on the plane."Al Leiter salutes the crowd during the Alumni Classic before the game between the Texas Rangers and the New York Mets at Citi Field on Saturday, Sept.

13, 2025, in New York, N.Y.(MLB Photos via Getty Images)He acknowledged breaking routine without his bosses knowing: "I never had done this, Craig.

I can't believe I actually did it.I don't know if I did it like Bobby Valentine and Steve Phillips didn't know about it."GEORGE W BUSH RECALLS MOMENT WITH DEREK JETER BEFORE NERVE-WRACKING PITCH AT YANKEE STADIUM AFTER 9/11After walking his daughter to school, Leiter sat on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport as initial reports trickled in."The pilot says, 'Oh, it looks like a news helicopter by the [World] Trade Center.

We're about ready to take off,'" Leiter recalled."And then not five minutes later, we're going back to the airport.Get your stuff.

New York airspace is closed, LaGuardia is closed, evacuate."Even after evacuating, the true scale of the crisis hadn't set in."I still think we're gonna play.At that time, you know, we don't know what they're like."Determined to reach his team, Leiter hailed a cab to head to...