Daughter of 9/11 Victim Delivers Ceremonial First Pitch as New York Yankees Commemorate 25th Anniversary
Brielle Saracini, daughter of United Flight 175 pilot Victor Saracini, and Sean McGuire, whose father Patrick McGuire died in the World Trade Center's South Tower, threw ceremonial first pitches at Yankee Stadium on September 11, 2026. Both were 10 during the 9/11 attacks and met at Camp Better Days, a support camp for children who lost parents.
Yankee Stadium bore witness to a profoundly moving tribute on Friday, September 11, 2026, as Brielle Saracini and her husband, Sean McGuire, threw out the ceremonial first pitches before the New York Yankees hosted their crosstown rivals, the New York Mets. The solemn pre-game ceremony marked 25 years since the devastating 9/11 terrorist attacks, honouring the countless lives lost, including their fathers. Former India Captain Suryakumar Yadav Named MLB Ambassador for India.
Brielle Saracini Throws Ceremonial Pitch
Brielle Saracini and Sean McGuire both lost their fathers on 9/11.
They met in 2003 at Camp Better Days, which was established to support families affected by those tragic events.
In 2017, they were married.
Tonight, Brielle and Sean threw out the ceremonial first pitches at… pic.twitter.com/XX82bxQMgZ
— MLB (@MLB) September 11, 2026
Twenty-five years ago, on September 11, 2001, Brielle Saracini was just 10 years old when her father, Victor Saracini, the captain of United Airlines Flight 175, perished as the hijacked plane crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Similarly, Sean McGuire, also 10 at the time, lost his father, Patrick McGuire, who was working on the 84th floor of the South Tower. The couple, who met two years after the tragedy at Camp Better Days – a camp established to support children who lost a parent on 9/11 – stood united on the mound, representing resilience and remembrance.
A Shared Legacy of Loss and Love
Brielle Saracini, now 35 years old, has a long-standing connection with the Yankees organization, dating back to the immediate aftermath of the attacks. Just days after losing her father, she penned a letter to then-Yankees captain Derek Jeter, sharing her grief and her dream of meeting him. Jeter responded by inviting Saracini and her family to Yankee Stadium, forging a lifelong friendship that has seen her participate in previous commemorations, including the 20th anniversary in 2021.
The 25th-anniversary observance included extensive commemorative activities by the Yankees, which began in late August with team visits to FDNY firehouses. On the day of the game, Yankee Stadium gates opened at 5:00 PM EDT, with fans requested to be in their seats by 6:30 PM EDT for the pre-game ceremonies. These heartfelt tributes included the presentation of colors by honor guards from the NYPD, FDNY, and PAPD, and the unfurling of a giant American flag in the outfield. Arsenal FC and Denver Nuggets Owner Stan Kroenke's KSE Buys Los Angeles Angels for Record Deal.
Game Details
The poignant pre-game ceremony preceded a regular season Major League Baseball game between:
- Teams: New York Yankees vs. New York Mets
- Date: Friday, September 11, 2026
- Time: 7:05 PM EDT
- Venue: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York
- Competition: MLB Regular Season
The Yankees have a deep and consistent history of honoring the victims and heroes of 9/11, with monuments in Monument Park and ongoing support for various remembrance initiatives. The presence of Brielle Saracini and Sean McGuire, standing together at the mound, served as a powerful reminder of the enduring pain and the unbreakable spirit forged in the face of tragedy. Their story, intertwined with that of New York City and the nation, continues to be a testament to love, resilience, and remembrance.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 12, 2026 12:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
