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
It's been good for me. Full circle. Eighteen years ago, I was able to pitch my first game here.
It's just wrong. He's a good guy. Anybody who thinks that doesn't know him. If you sit with him, hang out, go to lunch with him, you can't think that. He's really fun to be around.
We were in a bad spot going to Game 5, ... And we put ourselves in a bad moment. But everybody felt good about what the outcome should have been or what we thought it would have been. I don't want to say (the plane ride was) sad. But it was about as depressing a room as I've ever seen.
It feels good to be able to go out on your own terms. 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. It feels right. Family, kids, I'm constantly being asked when I'm coming home.
I think there's a lot of variables and factors. Obviously, I've got to feel good, feel healthy. I have to feel as though the way I'm throwing the ball is good and effective. I have to know that if I am feeling good and throwing the ball with quality pitches, I have to feel I'm wanted or needed by the organization.
I knew yesterday was the day, because everybody was leaving today. I knew I had a chance.
I want to get my feet wet, see if this is what I want to do. At least it keeps me around the game.
It'll be fun for me. I realize this is a professional environment, and I'm going to do it seriously, but I also really look forward to being in the booth with someone I like as much as Michael on a personal basis.
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.
Believe me, I saw my numbers last year. I'm grateful to be on the team. I know I can help.
This could be really exciting. Maybe before I die it ends up being a rival to the soccer World Cup.
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.
It's a very big mental game, all day leading up to warm-ups. You're not sure if your curveball will break, or will you be able to throw it over the plate? It's all negative thoughts going into the game.
For me, I found working with Rick fascinating. I want as much data as I can get -- then break it down and decide what I want to use.