By Miguel Mike Medina
Photo Credit: mlb.com
Former MLB player Todd Zeile is working on a new documentary as an executive producer titled “When America Took the Field,” which tells the story of the 25th anniversary of September 11 and its impact on baseball.
Zeile, who was playing for the New York Mets at the time, was in the middle of Mike Piazza’s two-run home-run heroics against the Atlanta Braves, which happened ten days after September 11. The new two-hour documentary will premiere on MLB Network on Tuesday, September 10.
Mike Francesa, Joe Buck, Ken Griffey Jr., Bernie Williams, Al Leiter, and many more players make special appearances in the documentary as they are interviewed, reminiscing about when Baseball returned after the tragedy.
“It’s a very personal story to me being a part of that 2001 Mets team,” Zeile said. “I’ve remained involved for the 25 years since then. Baseball to me is that American pastime. Some really great stories are also part of the thread of Baseball and the community outreach that Baseball provided at the time.”
Zeile is proud and grateful to have Major League Baseball and MLB Network to partner with him to tell a much deeper story of September 11.
We won’t forget the players wearing FDNY hats. Baseball needed to be played. The sport brought comfort and togetherness during a difficult time.
Shea Stadium was filled with emotions. Fans cheered, laughed, cried, and chanted “USA.” This documentary will move many baseball fans and anyone who was there at the time. It’s one of those events no one will ever forget.
Zeile played for 11 teams throughout his 16-year career. Zeile played for the Cardinals, Mets, Orioles, Dodgers, Rockies, Phillies, Cubs, Marlins, Yankees, Expos, and Rangers. Most of his success came with the Mets and Rangers. Zeile posted a career-high 31 home runs in 1997 and collected over 2,000 hits.
Miguel Mike Medina is the publisher of The MMM Journal. He can be reached at medinamiguelmike@gmail.com and themmmjournal@gmail.com
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