Former Major League Baseball player Frank Tepedino says the lessons he learned on the diamond prepared him for a far different mission following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
Tepedino joined historian and author Richard Acritelli on “The Fog of War and Humanity,” where he reflected on his baseball career, his transition into public service, and the emotional aftermath of the attacks that forever changed New York and the nation.
Growing up with a passion for baseball, Tepedino eventually reached the major leagues, playing for organizations including the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He told Acritelli that the sport taught him discipline, teamwork, and how to handle pressure — lessons that later shaped his response during one of America’s darkest moments.
“When 9/11 happened, I knew I couldn’t just stand by,” Tepedino said during the interview. “I had to do something.”
Following his baseball career, Tepedino became a firefighter and first responder, saying he was drawn to the same sense of brotherhood and teamwork that existed in professional sports. After the attacks on the Twin Towers, he joined countless others who stepped forward to assist in rescue, recovery, and support efforts connected to Ground Zero.
Tepedino described New York City in the days after Sept. 11 as both devastated and united.
“The city was in shock, but at the same time, you saw incredible resilience,” he said. “People came together like never before.”
During the interview, Tepedino spoke about the emotional transition from professional athletics to working in life-and-death situations tied to the national tragedy. He said the experience changed his perspective on life and reinforced his belief in the importance of service and sacrifice.
“It put everything into perspective,” Tepedino said. “The loss, the grief, the courage — it was overwhelming at times.”
Acritelli noted that Tepedino’s story serves as an important reminder for younger generations who did not directly experience the attacks or their aftermath.
Tepedino said the greatest lesson of Sept. 11 is the need to appreciate life and support others during times of crisis.
“It showed us the best of humanity,” he said. “People from all walks of life came together to help each other.”
Looking back on his life, Tepedino said he hopes to be remembered simply as someone who stepped up when needed and tried to make a difference. Check out the full interview at www.htmcli.org.