Cuddyer's homers kept teammate off 9/11 flight

DETROIT -- It's not very often that a pair of home runs can save someone's life.

But for Twins outfielder Michael Cuddyer, he essentially did just that in 2001 while playing in the Eastern League playoffs with the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats.

Cuddyer hit a game-winning, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning in Game 1 to help the Rock Cats to an early 1-0 series lead over the Norwich Navigators before helping New Britain clinch the series with a go-ahead shot in Game 4.

Those homers turned out to be crucial not just for the Rock Cats' title hopes, but for the lives of Cuddyer's teammate, Brad Thomas, and his wife, Kylie.

Thomas and his wife had purchased tickets for American Airlines Flight 11 from Boston to Los Angeles on Sept. 11, 2001, in case New Britain was eliminated from the postseason. The couple would then fly from Los Angeles back to Thomas' native Australia.

• MLB.com's 2001 coverage after Sept. 11 • Baseball showed USA's post-9/11 resiliency • Castrovince: Public finds solace at ballparks • Bauman: However small, diversion is welcome • Noble: 10 years later, bagpipes and baseball • Giuliani recalls baseball's impact after 9/11 • Baseball recalls wide-ranging emotions • Bauman: Game shaken, resolved in aftermath • Mets' memories remain vivid • In New York, Cubs remember 9/11 heroes • Torre: Emotions from 9/11 remain today • Tragedy strikes 9/11 'Faces of Hope' • Where were they? Players recall 9/11 events • Events left impression on Fall Classic   Sights & Sounds: 2001 | 10 years later   Baseball Remembers: Pt. 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5  Vin Scully on 9/11, 10 years later  Jack Buck's speech, poem  Giuliani on baseball's impact on recovery  First pitch: Shea Stadium | Yankee Stadium  Baseball's Best: Piazza's homer  Galleries: Tributes | First game back in NY More coverage ¬ Team travel became more complex after 9/11 Some stars from '01 still have impact today Announcers rekindled game's spirit Sammy saluted U.S. with flag-waving homer trot Yanks carried weight, hopes after 9/11 Day is one Mets will never forget After 9/11, 'God Bless America' a mainstay at ballgames Bauman: Baseball played part in healing Bodley: Bush's first pitch provided healing image Noble: 'First game back' a lasting memory for Chipper Film recalls 9/11 backdrop of 2001 Fall Classic Baseball plans day of remembrance for 9/11 Pain of 9/11 runs deep for NY native Cooper Marlins' Buck reflects on 9/11, recalls troops visit 9/11 still seared in Jays broadcaster's memory White Sox recall road trip to New York Chipper cherishes memento after all this time Braves' Hudson honored to take mound on 9/11 Francona: Baseball helped heal wounds Buck's touching speech resonates with Fredi Cuddyer's homers kept teammate off 9/11 flight Events of 9/11 etched in Marlins' memories Yost's 9/11 memories focus on aftermath September 11, One Year Later September 11, Five Years Later 9/11/2011 observances ¬ Collectively, Yanks and Halos honor 9/11 heroes Nationals pay tribute to 9/11 before finale Sen. McCain helps D-backs honor 9/11 victims Being in Washington special for Astros on 9/11 First responders honored in tribute in St. Louis Rays, Sox pause to honor those lost on 9/11 Tigers honor Detroit service workers Brewers, Phillies reflect on events of 9/11 Rockies, Reds pay tribute to 9/11 before game Indians reflect 10 years after Sept. 11 White Sox hold emotional 9/11 remembrance Rangers remember 9/11 with special ceremony Mariners pause to remember 9/11 Bucs, Marlins honor heroes, victims of 9/11 Royals players pause to remember 9/11 How you can help • 9/11 Memorial in New York • Flight 93 National Memorial • The National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial

But Thomas and his wife never took that flight because the Rock Cats won the series. Flight 11, on that fateful and unforgettable morning, was hijacked and crashed into the World Trade Center.

"He credits me for saving his life," Cuddyer said. "I mean, I don't know about that. It was just a twist of fate."

Thomas, who is currently on the Tigers' 60-day disabled list with a left elbow injury, told his stunned New Britain teammates that day about how he was supposed to be on that flight.

The Rock Cats were scheduled to begin the Eastern League finals against the Reading Phillies on Sept. 11, so the club showed up at the ballpark despite the news about the attacks on the Twin Towers.

But teammates were in shock over the attacks, especially considering Thomas' unbelievable story, and the series was eventually cancelled four days later, with New Britain and Reading being named co-champions.

"It was numbness," Cuddyer said. "I'm sure the whole country was like that as well. You're just numb because of all of the events and what transpired after that."

It was a crazy week for Cuddyer, who was then given the news on Sept. 15 that he was called up by the Twins for the first time in his career. Cuddyer made the 1,300-mile drive all the way from New Britain to Minneapolis in time for the club's first game after the attacks against the Tigers on Sept. 18.

He made his Major League debut five days later, going 1-for-2 with a double and a walk, but said the events leading up his first game made it all bittersweet.

"I think it put everything in perspective," Cuddyer said. "At any moment something like that can happen. The last thing you want to do is go play baseball."