Al Leiter

Here’s a biography + profile of Al Leiter:

Al Leiter – Life, Career & Insight

Al Leiter (born October 23, 1965) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher turned broadcaster and baseball operations advisor. This profile covers his early life, baseball career, broadcasting work, philanthropy, and legacy.

Introduction

Al Leiter (full name Alois Terry Leiter) is an American former professional baseball player and current television sports commentator and baseball operations advisor.

He built a distinguished 19-year MLB career primarily as a left-handed starting pitcher, logging 162 wins, pitching a no-hitter, and winning multiple championships.

Early Life & Background

• Al Leiter was born on October 23, 1965 in Toms River, New Jersey.

• He attended Central Regional High School in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township, N.J.

• In high school, he was a multi-sport athlete (baseball, basketball, football, track) and in his senior year he threw four no-hitters and had a remarkable game where he struck out 32 batters in 13 innings — the game was called due to rain.

• His high school successes earned him All-American recognition.

Baseball Career

Entry & Teams

• Leiter was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1984 MLB Draft directly from high school.

• He made his Major League debut on September 15, 1987 as a starting pitcher for the Yankees.

• Over his career, he played for several teams: New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets.

Highlights & Achievements

• Starter of a no-hitter: On May 11, 1996, while with the Florida Marlins, Leiter threw a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies.

• All-Star selections: He was selected twice as a National League All-Star (1996, 2000).

• World Series championships: He was part of multiple championship teams.

• Career totals:
    • Win–loss record: 162–132   • Earned Run Average (ERA): 3.80   • Strikeouts: 1,974   • Games pitched: 419, with 382 starts

• He became the first pitcher ever to record a victory over all 30 MLB teams.

• In 2005, his final full season, he returned briefly to the Marlins and later rejoined the Yankees before retiring.

Broadcasting & Later Roles

• After retiring as a player, Leiter became a television commentator and analyst, working for networks such as YES Network and MLB Network.

• He has been nominated for multiple Sports Emmy Awards in categories such as Outstanding Studio Analyst.

• In 2019, Al Leiter was appointed as a baseball operations advisor for the Mets, focusing on scouting, player development, and the mental preparation of pitchers across organizational levels.

Personal Life & Philanthropy

• Al Leiter is married to Lori (since 1991).

• They have four children: Lindsay Brooke, Carly Jayne, Jack Thomas, and Katelyn Grace.

• He comes from a baseball family: his brother Mark Leiter also pitched in MLB. His son Jack Leiter later entered professional baseball.

• Leiter is known for his charitable efforts. He and his wife founded Leiter’s Landing, a foundation that helps children in need.

• He has received philanthropy-related honors, including the Roberto Clemente Award (2000), which recognizes sportsmanship and community contribution.

Legacy & Impact

• Within New Jersey, Leiter holds the record for most MLB wins by a native.

• In 2017, he was inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame, in the sports category.

• Leiter is respected not just for the durability and consistency of his pitching career, but also for his post-playing contributions: as a mentor in operations, a voice in broadcasting, and as a philanthropist.

• His career is often cited as an example of success through perseverance and adaptability—transitioning from athlete to analyst and advisor.