Al Leiter
Al Leiter
Alois "Al" Terry Leiteris a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. Leiter pitched 19 seasons in the Major Leagues for New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network and a color commentator for the YES Network and Fox Sports Florida...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBaseball Player
Date of Birth23 October 1965
CityToms River, NJ
CountryUnited States of America
Having faced a lot of these Canadian hitters, I certainly didn't think of them as patsies.
Having been part of a few playoffs, this definitely has that feeling.
He was a rock star. The little bit of attention other guys or I would usually get would suddenly be zero. He'd be miserable but we'd be left alone.
Believe me, I saw my numbers last year. I'm grateful to be on the team. I know I can help.
Tom and Shirley were like Julie McCoy on the Love Boat. We'd go to their room every night for a cocktail party before dinner.
They talk about payroll and who gets paid what, ... (But) you still got to do it, and it's human beings doing it. There's no robots. And it just so happens that the other team in the other dugout wants to kick your butt, too. And (the Angels) can be pretty good, which they are. And we're standing in the parking lot.
This is what I was hoping for. I think the tournament is a great thing for baseball and I really wanted to be a part of it. If it ends up being the last time I pitch I would be very satisfied with that. This was one of the big reasons I decided to keep playing.
Some people are born into money. Some are given the opportunity in a lucky way. I got where I am by a lucky bounce along the way. There have been opportunities to help people in need. There are charitable causes where you can give people hope and opportunity to turn that corner. It's the right thing to do.
This could be really exciting. Maybe before I die it ends up being a rival to the soccer World Cup.
I remember being in shock. The night before the Orioles had told my brothers (both pitchers in the organization at the time) that they were going to take me with the last pick in the first round. The Yankees had taken a very low profile.
I love the game very much, but when you were a certain type of player for a few years, being a front-end starter, that's the way I still think I can pitch. But the body tells you no.
I look at this as a second life. Every game feels like an event. Every pitch matters. I need that. It elevates your aggressiveness.
I knew yesterday was the day, because everybody was leaving today. I knew I had a chance.
Hey, for the first time in 20 years I can be down the Shore for July Fourth fireworks. Maybe go to Seaside for Memorial Day. I always missed that.