Michael Cuddyer home run keeps Brad Thomas off doomed 9/11 flight

A 2001 playoff home run by Michael Cuddyer for the New Britain Rock Cats indirectly spared pitcher Brad Thomas from being on American Airlines Flight 11 on September 11, 2001. The Rock Cats faced the Norwich Navigators in the Eastern League divisional playoffs when Cuddyer hit a decisive walk-off home run that extended the team's season. Because the team remained in the playoffs, the travel plans for Thomas and his wife to fly from Boston to Los Angeles were delayed. They were originally scheduled to be on the flight that was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center. The connection between the baseball game and the flight was identified by team staff and players following the tragedy. The event has since been recognized as a significant piece of history for the franchise.

• 5:07 PMYahoo Sports — The home run that saved a life on 9/11