Former Mets pitcher Al Leiter tells his harrowing 9/11 story of a quiet trip turned tragedy

On September 11, 2001, former New York Mets pitcher Al Leiter was trying to pull off a quiet personal mission before pitching in Pittsburgh that night.

Decades later, appearing on OutKick's "The Craig Carton Show," Leiter recalled the events of that fateful morning.

His story began with a father wanting to be present for a family milestone.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGE Despite a scheduled game in Pittsburgh, Leiter quietly flew home to New York without informing team management.

"I wanted to be there for my daughter's first grade," Leiter said.

"She was scared.

You know, 'We'll be there, honey.' And I'm like playing a long time, I'm probably 15, 16 years in the big leagues, whatever.

And I knew if it wasn't Pittsburgh, US Air had like a flight like every hour, was like a shuttle.

Drop her off, get on the plane." He acknowledged breaking routine without his bosses knowing: "I never had done this, Craig.

I can't believe I actually did it.

I don't know if I did it like Bobby Valentine and Steve Phillips didn't know about it." GEORGE W BUSH RECALLS MOMENT WITH DEREK JETER BEFORE NERVE-WRACKING PITCH AT YANKEE STADIUM AFTER 9/11 After walking his daughter to school, Leiter sat on the tarmac at LaGuardia Airport as initial reports trickled in.

"The pilot says, 'Oh, it looks like a news helicopter by the [World] Trade Center.

We're about ready to take off,'" Leiter recalled.

"And then not five minutes later, we're going back to the airport.