Al Leiter Biography

Al Leiter (born Alois Tery Leiter) is a well-reputed American former professional baseball player and current television sports commentator. From 1987 to 2005, he played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, and New York Mets. A two NL (National League) All-Star player, he pitched for three World Series-winning teams and threw a no-hitter in 1996. This was during his tenure with the Marlins.

In 2000, he was named the recipient of the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award. After his playing career, he worked as a television color commentator and baseball analyst for the YES Network and the MLB Network.

Al Leiter Education

He received his education at Central Regional High School. During one stretch in high school, he pitched consecutive no-hitters followed by a 32-strikeout game in 13 innings on April 19, 1984. In 2016, he was named to the NJ High School of Fame by the NJSIAA. After high school, he attended The Pennsylvania State University.

Al Leiter Career

Al Leiter New York Yankees

He was drafted as a second-round pick in the 1984 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. On September 15, 1987, he made his MLB debut as the starting pitcher for the Yankees, earning the win in a Yankees 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers at Yankee Stadium.

Al Leiter Toronto Blue Jays

On April 30, 1989, he was traded by the Yankees to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Jesse Barfield. From 1989 to 1992, he pitched in fewer than 20 innings for his team. This was because of the arthroscopic surgery, a pitched nerve in his elbow, tendinitis, and another arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder. During this period, his statistics were a 5.17 ERA, 15 2/3 IP, 14 H, 10 K, 11 BB, 1 HR, 1 GS, 0-0. In 1993, he finally got over his injury troubles and made 32 appearances (12 starts). For the next two seasons, he effectively pitched for the Blue Jays before departing via free agency in 1996.

Al Leiter Florida Marlins

Following the 1995 season, he left the Blue Jays and signed with the Florida Marlins as a free agent. He made his first All-Star game in his first season, going 16-12 with a 2.93 ERA and 200 strikeouts. He pitched a no-hitter on May 11, 1996, in a game against the Colorado Rockies. This became the first no-hitter in Marlins franchise history. Also, it was the first no-hitter that included a three-pitch inning. In 1997, he won another World Series as the Marlins beat the Cleveland Indians.

Al Leiter New York Mets

In the following season, he was traded to the New York Mets in part of the Marlins’ fire sale where owner Wayne Huizenga traded away almost all of the team’s higher-priced players. In his first season as a Met player, he reached a career high in wins going 17-6, and a career low in ERA finishing with a 2.47 ERA. When the Mets were tied with the Cincinnati Reds for the National League in the 1999 Wild Card spot after 162 games, Al was the Mets starting pitcher in the “winner take all” one-game playoff at Cinergy Field in Cincinnati. Leitcher proceeded and pitched a 2-hit shutout to earn the win in the Mets 5-0 victory.

For the first time in 11 seasons, the win put the Mets in the playoffs. However, they lost the 1999 National League Championship Series to the Atlanta Braves 4 games to 2. Once again in 2000, he made the All-Star team going 16-8 with a 3.20 ERA and 200 strikeouts. On April 30, 2002, he became the first Major League pitcher to defeat all 30 teams. This was after he defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-1. From 1995 to 2004 in ten straight seasons, he had at least 10 wins and at least a .500 record.

Al Leiter Second Stint with Marlins

Following the 2004 season, he became a free agent after the Mets declined his US$10 million option for 2005. On December 8, 2004, his former team the Marlins, signed him to a one-year $8 million contract. During his return to the Marlins, he struggled. He walked more batters than usual (60in 80 innings, in addition to 88 hits). On July 14, 2005, the Florida Marlins designated him for assignment.

Al Leiter Second Stint with Yankees

He was acquired by the New York Yankees on July 15, 2005, who had four straight pitchers on the disabled list. On July 17, 2005, he made his first start as a Yankee since his first start for the club on April 26, 1989, in a game against the division-leading Boston Red Sox. He won the game, pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run and three hits, and striking out eight. In 2006, he signed a minor league contract with the Yankees, however, he stated he would likely retire. He officially retired after the United States team was eliminated from the World Baseball Classic.

Al Leiter Broadcasting Career

For several seasons, he has worked in the television booth for Fox during the playoffs, mainly to provide in-depth analysis of various pitchers. In 1998 and 1999, he worked the post-season for ESPN as a studio analyst. While playing for the NY Mets, he was a color commentator for Fox Sports in the 2003 NLCS. In 2004, he was in the booth with Joe Buck and Tim McCarver for the Boston Red Sox Vs. New York Yankees in the ALCS. Since 2006, he has worked as a color commentator and a studio analyst for the YES Network. He was then hired by MLB in 2009 and appeared on the very first show the Network produced on January 1, 2009.

He became a studio analyst for MLB Network in addition to his commentating job for the YES Network. In 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, and 2019 he received a National Sports Emmy Award Nomination for Studio Analyst. In 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2019 he received the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Studio Show-Daily MLB Tonight Segment Producer. Also, he worked select games for the Miami Marlins on Fox Sports Florida in 2016. That same year, he won the NY Sports Emmy for game analyst for the YES Network.

Al Leiter Age

Al was born on October 23, 1965, therefore he is 57 years old as of August 2023. He thus celebrates his birthday on October 23rd of every year.

Al Leiter Height

He stands at a height of 6 feet 2 inches (1.88m) tall.

Al Leiter Family

Leite was born in Toms River, New Jersey in a baseball-oriented family to Alexander Leiter (Family) and Marie Leiter (Mother). He has five siblings namely; Mark Leiter (born in 1963, an American former right-handed pitcher in MLB), John Leiter, Karl Alexander Leiter (born on September 1, 1958, but died on December 26, 2012), Kurt Leiter, and Eric Leiter.

Al Leiter Wife

Al is married to the love of his life, Lori Leiter. They got married in 1991. He and his wife are blessed with four kids; Jack Leiter (born on April 21, 2000, an American professional baseball pitcher), Lindsay Brooke Liter (born in 1995, and works in a publishing company), Carly Jane Leiter (born in 1996), and Jack Thomas, and Katelyn Grace.

Al Leiter Net Worth

Leiter has a net worth of $34 million which he has earned through being a sports commentator and former baseball player.

Al Leiter Salary

He earns an annual salary ranging between $40,000 – $110,500.

Al Leiter Charitable Work

He has nearly worn every philanthropic award MLB offers including the 2000 Roberto Clemente Award. Moreover, in 1999 he won the Branch Rickey Award.