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9/11/18

An Incredible 9-11 Story




I assume that the New York Post won’t sue me for reprinting this incredible story that had a few years ago –

Fifteen years later Brad Thomas still cannot find the words.

Words of thanks. Words of reflection. Words of a home-run life well lived.

“It’s a miracle. Somebody was watching out for me,’’ Thomas, 38, a left-handed reliever who spent five seasons in the majors with the Twins and Tigers, told The Post this week from his home in Sydney, Australia.

In the late summer of 2001, fate arrived for Thomas in the form of the powerful right-handed bat of his minor-league teammate, then-22-year-old Michael Cuddyer.

That season Cuddyer had blasted 30 home runs for the New Britain Rock Cats, leading the Minnesota Twins’ Double-A team to the playoffs. In the best-of-five semifinals, they faced their cross-state rivals, the Norwich Navigators, the Yankees’ Double-A squad.
But days before the series’ outcome, each player had to make travel arrangements home in case they didn’t advance in the playoffs. That’s how it’s done in the minor leagues.

“You don’t want to hang around,’’ Cuddyer, now 37, told The Post from his home in Virginia. “Everybody has their flights or their drive home scheduled. Brad was going home to Australia so he definitely had to lock in his flight.’’

‘We had our bags packed and we’re ready to roll out the door. Mikey saved my life. Incredible. Just incredible.’

Thomas and his girlfriend, Kylie, who later became his wife, had tickets to fly out of Boston to LA and then on to Sydney. And with the Rock Cats trailing by a run in Game 1, it looked like the early flight would be needed.

But on a 3-2 pitch in the bottom of the ninth, Cuddyer drilled a game-winning, walk-off home run off right-hander Domingo Jean.

A few days later, in the clinching Game 4, Cuddyer smacked the go-ahead home run in the seventh inning. The victory propelled the team into the Eastern League championship against Reading.

“Michael put us through, it was jubilation,’’ Thomas recalled.

“But then the next day happens.’’

Shocked players gathered at New Britain Stadium, where unspeakable sadness — and the miracle of Thomas’ escape — began to sink in.

He had booked two seats on American Airlines Flight 11, flying out of Logan Airport on Sept. 11 — arrangements rendered unnecessary by Cuddyer’s heroics.

Without those clutch homers, Thomas would have been on the Boeing 767 hijacked by five terrorists and flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. — the first of that terrible day’s four terror attacks. Ninety-two people on the plane perished.

“If we had lost, we were out of there first thing,’’ Thomas recalled. “We had our bags packed and we’re ready to roll out the door. Mikey saved my life. Incredible. Just incredible.’’

Cuddyer hit 197 home runs over his major league career, the last 21 coming with the Mets in 2015. But none mattered more than that minor-league walkoff 15 years ago.
“In retrospect,’’ said Cuddyer, who is not one given to hyperbole, “it’s unbelievable. You don’t want to say the minor leagues was the biggest home run of my life but obviously that was the biggest home run I ever hit.

“Had we had lost, that Boston flight was going to be the flight that Brad was going to be on. From my home runs in Little League, minor leagues, big leagues — that was by far the most impactful home run I ever hit.

“It was my first walk-off home run in the minor leagues, [which] was pretty special, then with everything that follows you just realize how special it really was,’’ Cuddyer said.

He remembers vividly the tragic morning at the stadium where “Brad was sitting there with his ticket.

“Everybody could see what everybody was thinking, no words needed to be said,’’ Cuddyer explained.

“You definitely realize how precious life is, and how delicate it is and how quickly it could end.’’

The championship series was never played. New Britain and Reading were named co-champions. Three days later, Cuddyer was called up to the majors.

When Thomas arrived in the big leagues with the Tigers, the two players — long-time roommates in the minors — would hug whenever they saw each other.

“There would be that quiet understanding, not many words,’’ Cuddyer said. “There is no question that either of us will ever forget about the other one.”

Thomas, the father of two young children, said, “There’s probably not a day that goes by that I don’t think about it and think how lucky I am.”

15 comments:

  1. Incredible is right. Cuddyer's biggest homer. He got the save, too.

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  2. Thanks, Mack......I did not get to see this the first time.

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  3. That takes away some of the sting and stench of the Cuddyer free agent contract.

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  4. Responding to Thomas Yule Brenner's post of recent...

    No, I wouldn't trade Peter Alonso for Cher 40 years ago on the white horse even, "Half Breed" style. Reasoning: A. We have not even seen Peter up here on the Mets to assess at all how very good he could be. B. We need a real power bat at first base, he could be it. C. Realmuto and Perez are already defined at this level. They are solid but not great. Peter could be great, we just will have to wait and see.

    On Wheels and deGrom...

    I like them both a lot, they are both true winners in every sense and fashion of the word. But if it were the seventh game of the World Series, which one would I prefer on the mound? Right now, I would say Zach Wheeler simply because the man does not ever seem to shake. A bomb could go off in the middle of his delivery, and it would still be that smooth 98 mph strike thrown so seemingly effortlessly as only Zach can do.

    Zach's a southern man, with roots obviously deep in Georgia red clay. I'd go with Zachary. No offense to Jake, but Zachary simply could teach us all a thing or two on staying real and in the moment.

    Mr. Mack is coming around evidently on this team. It is a winner people. Toss out the first half, sprinkle in some individual development and player experience, and you have precisely now, what we are all loving and seeing. The cast is being set. Things look very promising for 2019.

    What else do I really like about this team?

    A: Everything really. We have not had a really promising younger team here since I do not know when. These younger players are all special in that they each have real and discernible talent at their respective positions and at batting. They all can play on a much higher level than we have seen here in a long, long time as well.

    B: Every game the Mets play now, anyone could step up and be the hero. It's not a team where they have two or even three really good batters. This 2018 NY Mets team has everyone playing who could step up and win the game. Some games this second half, have become almost 1969 magical. They are playing collectively on that higher level now.

    This has been fun second half.

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  5. On Jose and David...

    That last game David plays will be fun to watch. Jose will be to his left on shortstop and the fans will all be going crazy cheering. Right after the game, the two will ride off and out of Citi Field to a standing ovation and whatever awaits their next great ride.

    One chapter ends, the other just beginning.

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  6. Tonight's Mets/Boston Red Stockings game...

    Noah Syndergaard versus William Cuevas Regal. Advantage: Syndergaard

    WilliamCuevas is a 27 year old and has barely pitched at the MLB level, like three games so far. Cuevas is a right-handed version of Jason Vargas basically, similar stuff same relying on pitch location and hitting those perfect spots. Should lead to walks tonight with some patience.

    Cuevas throws an 85-88 mph fastball, a so-so curve and change. Fastball tops off at an occasional 92 mph, if the wind is blowing in the right direction. On the other hand...

    Noah Syndergaard is Thor for goodness sakes people! His fastball is lightning, his curve doglegging, and his change mesmerizing.

    The Red Sox have played pretty boring and almost too relaxed baseball of late. And the team is banged up some too. Chris Sale is one arm-tweak away from an operation, and will probably need one in the off season either way. David Price has stepped it up bigtime and is solid again, Eduardo Rodriquez has been top-shelf since coming back from being injured, and Rick Porcello, the only righty other than Steven Wright (not the comedian one), could probably benefit from watching Zachary Wheeler pitch a game. Rick has lost his mojo and concentration since the All Star Break.

    The Boston Red Sox hitting has been somewhat sporadic compared to earlier in the first half, they still can hit homeruns but just not like they were earlier in the season.

    The Red Sox still have no starting catcher, it's a triage operation right now as everyone awaits "Boyz to Men" Blake Swihart to step up and grab it for his own.

    First base has been pedestrian on offense, second base geriatric and drooling, but shortstop is their best hitter right now in Humphrey Bogarts who has been on fire. Left field is all Benny who has struggled of late also, center field is Diamond Jack Bradley, the very best CF in all of baseball defensively, and right field JD Martinez who has been hot and cold since the second half began because he shaved down his beard to tightly, or something.

    If tonight Noah gets his share of strikeouts on off the plate pitches, the pen holds as they have been better lately, and the Mets get their hits like they have been, then I might take the Mets. But who knows for certain?

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  7. Call ups remaining...

    If not too late, lefty reliever Dave Roseboom.

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  8. On Reeses Pieces' Fireman post today...

    I do concur with your observations and most comments. On Jay Bruce, he is looking very much alive again lately to me. Maybe his body is healed up now or something, not sure. But Jay is batting (right now) the same as when he was on the Cincy Reds. I am not saying that he will necessarily keep it up, but if he stays healthy he might. We'll see.

    My point here is this one. Hopefully Peter Alonso is on first base in 2019 because we need a couple more homerun threats added in here. It never hurts. The rest of the Mets offense is right where they need to be. The Mets do already have Wilmer Flores for first base as well. But unlike Wilmer, Jay can also play left and right outfield and is running a lot better now too.

    Now on your Mark Melancon idea...

    You make a very interesting suggestion here with trading bad contract for bad contract, I have to admit. I too am always looking for such ideas, but they tend to be hard to find and are more often than not just getting a bad contract back. I did notice that Mark has seen very limited game action this 2018 season and then also in 2017. His last really good season was 2015 when he relieved for the Pirates, posted a 2.23 ERA, had 62 strikeouts in 76 innings, and had close to a 1.00 WHIP. But will Mark be able to be that guy again, I am not sure.

    Here's the bug-a-boo...

    Mark has had what looks like an ongoing bout with a right pitching arm pronator injury the past 2-3 seasons. What is a pronator injury you ask? Well, it is the main muscle of the forearm.

    We all have had pronator injuries ourselves, if you bowl, lift a dumbbell too heavy, or have just even played softball. It's annoying and it limits how effectively a person can turn their arm at the elbow joint.

    My concern here with Mark is that it appears to have lasted too long or was too easily re-aggravated over the past few years. If the Mets were to first dash him off to a really good orthopedic surgeon type doctor and that doctor said "Mark's a go and will be fine", then maybe.

    In all honesty here, the Mets have taken in a few done/done relievers in their recent past, and it's very important not to repeat these same bad mistakes over and over again. So I'd suggest a proceed with caution approach.

    Maybe a better idea here...

    Did you all see the game last night when Tyler Bashlor came into the game later inning? I think it was the ninth, if I recall correctly. He closed out the game with a very nice one inning where he had his whole game working, the hard heater moving well, and his 81 mph off-speed change to die for. This was very impressive stuff to me because I think it was the very first time that Tyler used his change-up pitch this often and this well. It was really all that was missing to his game and he mastered it last night. Kudos there to the man!

    Two unit relief corps (three relievers each and then one all purpose rubber arm always available for each game, should the Mets need a fourth reliever although they shouldn't unless Terry manages again) was what I have been trying to suggest here. I am beginning to think that Tyler Bashlor could be one of these units' closers after last night's awesome game. He was that good!

    Final comment...

    Hopefully by now Coach Eiland understands fully why we NY Mets fans like Thor so much. He was excellent last night and he is back from all his medical concerns.

    "Thor is in the house!"

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  9. Around the Acorn...

    The Oakland A's are down a few of their best younger starters who have done so well in 2018. Wisely though, they had signed veteran starter Mike Friers from the Tigers waiver wire to add into their trio of veteran starters (Edwin Jackson, Brett Anderson, and Trevor Cahill.) Out hurt are Paul Blackburn, Sean Manaea, and AJ Puk amongst others.

    Oakland is always a step ahead in their personnel strategizing and their Playoff Run remains well intact.

    The Yankees and Tanaka won a game last night.

    Keep an eye on the Brewcrew of Milwaukee.

    Today's Mets/Red Sox game...

    Righties Corey Oswalt and Rick Porcello face one another today in Game Two. Porcello has been not as effective since the second half began, and has shown some signs of both lack of focus and getting easily upset. Because of this his command of his pitches has suffered.

    Corey Oswalt has been used as both a starter and a reliever of recent for the Mets. Earlier on, I thought that he had pitched quite well and it is not hard to think that he could again today.

    What will it take for a NY Mets victory today...

    The Mets need Corey to stay in control as he has, and delivering his best stuff thru five innings. I see no reason to expect Rick Porcello not to be who has been all second half, sort of stumbling some, but the Mets batters will need to find the best ways to rattle him up some. Possibly by bunts and solid hitting combined.

    This game is tough to predict because of the above two starters and knowing which guy will show up today. But if I had to say which team should win (although not easy) probably the Mets win a close one because of how well they have been playing this second half. The Red Sox appear to be coasting out 2018, and many batters are struggling right now.

    The trick will be for Corey Oswalt to stay in control with his pitches, hitting his spots, and the actual pitch selection itself chosen being optimal. There just seems to be too many NY Mets batters contributing now to the team's success not to expect a win. But it is a veteran starter versus a rookie one, so we will see here.

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  10. On David and Jose coming to a close here playing...

    I simply believe in re-invention after a nice run. Instead of being sad for one door closing, why not be elated for another one possibly opening to you?

    Everyone who lives long enough sees this same sort of thing in their own life. We all have to sort of transform ourselves to what will become. Yes, it is hard to say goodbye, but we all must and do.

    I think these two Mets players are not only very special players but also very special people as well. If they wanted to, I bet each one could coach and maybe even manage and maybe for this organization too. Each one has that kind of playing experience and leadership skills in order to do that. Players will listen to them, and they could easily impart their wisdom and unique skill set to them.

    One door closes and another one can open. Who would be better than these two?

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  11. An Idea Batting wise for these NY Mets

    I liked what the Phillies did a month or so ago, versus the Mets. Their batters all came up (in the first inning) swinging at the very first strike that they saw, with no exception. I'd love to see this sort of thing implemented today by the Mets for at least an inning, just to see if it could work like it did for the Phillies that day when they quickly SCORED THREE RUNS IN THAT FIRST INNING.

    This would cure the tendencies on the part of a few NY Mets batters, to take too many strikes early on in the count and thus putting themselves into a horrible two strike count where they now must await their own MLB known "out pitch" next. Strike three.

    Some batters hit this way though, waiting for Mars and Earth to collide before they swing at a strike. I do realize. Why look for a walk? But some MLB batters (I have noticed) can not/do not stay aggressive from one at bat to another. They love to walk I guess. Flawed logic.

    Might as well go up to the plate pulling a dang cot with you to sleep on.

    You can laugh here and this is so good, but I can usually tell when a Mets batter first steps into the batters box, whether (or not) they will have a genuine chance to get a hit that specific at bat. What did I use to do, to stay aggressive batting?

    It's a long season.

    You have to sort of trick yourself into always trying to be aggressive at the plate, if it does not just come naturally to you. You don't want to be "stupid aggressive" like swinging at everything pitched, no matter where it actually is, or being out of control at the plate aggressive.

    I use to pretend that the baseball was someone's head that I really did not care for very much. Some loudmouth jerk that always enjoyed tweaking me to get his own fun. Thus the baseball became his head. Too funny saying this, but it's so true, I did this. LOL

    When younger, I use to pick out a really pretty girl in the stands and pretend that I was showing off for her, being aggressive and hitting the ball really hard was fun. Tricks like that. Simple stuff. Every batter can make up their own stuff to help make them be aggressive batting.

    --------------------------------------

    Jeff McNeil is an eight year MLB veteran player in a 26 year old rookie's body. He's that smart and natural a baseball player. And because of this fact, he is a lot of fun to watch play. But this 2018 NY Mets team now has quite of few of these same type of players as Jeff. Sherlock, this is exactly why they are winning baseball games now. It's a whole team approach being utilized here, rather than just a couple of "look at me guys" who only play hard when their family and/or friends are in the stands watching them.

    I won't name names here, but could. "Say a prayer for the pretender." - Jackson Browne

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  12. Strangest Thing...

    I think I just saw Serena Williams kick down my mailbox. What's up with that?

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  13. Ozzy just caught the "Boston Dugout Rat!"

    Said that he is mailing it overnight to Bill Maher, so that Bill can have a pet like him, short and obnoxious.

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  14. Anonymous, lots of interesting stuff early on but I will disagree with you on one point. It was the Phillies against Syndergaard that were aggressive on first pitches because Thor is always throwing strikes and since he usually starts with the heat, in order to not paint themselves in a corner of off speed, curve or heat, they just jumped on the heat. My disagreement is that these hitters have tendencies and they can’t change those naturally. It has to be a specific strategy, but if they do it too much, they’ll mess up their mindset and approach and no hitter will sacrifice that.

    While the Mets have some nice relievers, I would like to see a releivers’ Mini camp over the winter where all these youngsters are together to learn how to change speeds. It seems that they all need the lesson.

    Anonymous, why not put a name to your stuff so we know that it’s the same person when we see your stuff?

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