MLB Network documentary on baseball's role after 9/11 to premiere Sept. 10

MLB Network announced on Wednesday the premiere of When America Took the Field, a new two-hour original documentary commemorating the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of September 11th, 2001. Debuting Thursday, Sept. 10 at 10 p.m. ET, the original documentary examines how baseball brought Americans together and provided a sense of hope, healing and normalcy in the aftermath of one of the darkest days in the nation’s history. A clip from the film, which will re-air on September 11, 12 and 13 on MLB Network, can be viewed here.

The documentary features exclusive interviews with Hall of Famers Joe Torre, Ken Griffey Jr., Chipper Jones, John Smoltz and Craig Biggio; a joint interview with former New York Mets John Franco, Al Leiter, Todd Zeile and Hall of Famer Mike Piazza; conversations with former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, former New York Yankees Roger Clemens and Bernie Williams, former Arizona Diamondbacks Luis Gonzalez and Curt Schilling, former Chicago White Sox Paul Konerko, former White Sox general manager Ken Williams, former MLB manager Joe Maddon, iconic baseball voices Joe Buck, Bob Costas and Tom Verducci; and a joint interview with Hall of Fame New York sports radio broadcasters Mike Francesa and Christopher ‘Mad Dog’ Russo.

When America Took the Field highlights the unforgettable baseball moments around that time such as Mike Piazza's emotional home run at Shea Stadium on September 21st, 2001, President George W. Bush's ceremonial first pitch before Game 3 of the 2001 World Series at Yankee Stadium and Jack Buck's moving message to a grieving nation at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. Through these defining moments, the documentary explores how baseball became a symbol of resilience, unity, and hope and why the events continue to resonate 25 years later.

While many of the defining images emerged in New York, the documentary reveals how the tragedy also touched clubhouses and communities across the country. Players, managers and executives share personal stories of where they were on 9/11, how the attacks affected them and how baseball helped in the time that followed. Families of the victims will also share deeply personal accounts from that tragic time in their lives and the lasting bonds forged from the baseball world.

Former Mets infielder Todd Zeile, who serves as an Executive Producer on the film along with MLB Network’s Emmy Award-winning production staff, said, “September 21st, 2001 will always be the most significant day of my baseball career. While wearing the caps of our first responders, it wasn’t just another baseball game. It helped unite America through the healing power of baseball and the strength of the human spirit. My hope is that this film preserves these stories for future generations and, above all, reminds us of the promise we all share: Never Forget.”

By preserving firsthand memories from those in baseball who lived through September 11th, When America Took the Field honors the lives changed by the attacks and ensures that stories of courage, compassion and resilience will continue to impact the nation well into the future.

Leading up to its premiere on MLB Network, the film will be shown at Citi Field on Sept. 10 in an event for the Mets’ season ticket holders and select guests. Mets alumni including Piazza, Zeile, Franco, Leiter, Robin Ventura, and David Wright are also expected to be in attendance. Re-air times of the film on MLB Network for September 11, 12 and 13 will be announced in the coming weeks. The program will be available to watch on demand within MLB.TV during the week of Sept. 13.