NEW YORK — On Friday, Brielle Saracini stepped onto the mound at Yankee Stadium to throw the first ceremonial pitch, marking the 25th anniversary of her father’s death in the September 11 attacks. The moment brought together a personal story of loss, resilience, and an unlikely friendship with former Yankees captain Derek Jeter.
A tribute born of tragedy
Saracini was ten years old when her father, United Airlines pilot Victor Saracini, perished when Flight 175 struck the South Tower. In the years that followed, a chance meeting with Jeter at a children’s camp for 9/11 widows sparked a lasting connection that helped her navigate grief.
Family and community support
Two years after the attacks, Saracini met her future husband, Sean McGuire, at the same camp. The couple married in 2017, and McGuire stood beside her on the field, even wearing a Mets jersey—a rare nod to the Yankees’ historic rival.
“There are some things that are bigger than baseball,” Saracini said, dressed in the Yankees pinstripes. “Everyone always knows that phrase, and this is definitely just one of them.”
Jeter’s role
Jeter greeted Saracini at center field and later spoke at the press conference, recalling how the attacks made him question his purpose as an athlete. “As an athlete, it was the first time that I said to myself, ‘Why am I even playing?’” he said, noting that meeting families like the Saracinis reminded him that the game can give people something to cheer for.
The Hall of Famer has kept in touch with Saracini over the years, calling her periodically and even sending a voicemail during her battle with cancer. “I was able to get a personal voicemail (from Jeter) wishing me well, telling me to keep my head down and stay positive,” she recalled.
Pitch and reflection
Although Saracini admitted she “bounced” the ball, the gesture was enough to honor her father’s memory. “My dad would probably open up by saying, ‘I taught you how to throw. How did you bounce it?’ And then he would give me a big hug and say, ‘You did great, kid,’” she said, adding that her father would thank Jeter for caring for his daughter.
The ceremony was part of a broader series of commemorations at the Bronx stadium, including a Subway Series game against the Mets that carried added emotional weight for both teams and fans.
Baseball as a symbol of resilience
Baseball returned to New York shortly after the attacks, serving as a reminder that life could move forward. Long‑time Yankees fan Fred Houston, 75, recalled the significance: “When the nation started playing baseball again, to me, it was like life could go on. It wasn’t going to change who we are and what we do.”
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
