Alois Terry (Al) Leiter graduated from Central Regional High School in Bayville, NJ in 1984, where he played baseball, basketball, football and ran track...In his senior year he was an All-American selection in baseball and All-County in football and led his baseball team to the state championship...finished his senior year with a 10-0 record and four no-hitters...his number 22 was retired...Appeared in Sports Illustrated's "Faces in the Crowd" on June 4, 1984 after striking out 32 batters in 14.1 innings of a high school game...the game was scoreless and called because of rain in the 15th inning...After signing his contract in 1998, he donated one million dollars to charities over the next four years...He and his wife Lori established Leiter's Landing, a charitable organization to help children in need...Donated $100,000 to build a youth league baseball field in his hometown of Berkeley Township, New Jersey...Received the Good Guy Award from the New York Press Photographers Association on February 6, 1999...Was the 1998 winner of the Joan W. Payson Award for humanitarian services by the New York Baseball Writers at their Award Dinner on February 7, 1999...Received the Branch Rickey Award for his humanitarian services on November 19, 1999 in Denver, CO...On February 9, 2000 in New York City he was honored with the "Thurman Award" at the 20th Annual Thurman Munson Dinner, sponsored by the Association for the Help of Retarded Children...Was the 2000 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award...received the award before Game 3 of the World Series...Has served as a commentator on postseason baseball broadcasts...In January 2002, became a member of Muscular Dystrophy's "Muscle Team", which is made up of New York City professional athletes who team up with area youngsters who have MD...Was the Master of Ceremonies for Mayor Michael Bloomberg's induction ceremony at City Hall on January 1, 2002...Received the A. Bartlett Giamatti Award for his community service at the annual B.A.T. Dinner on January 22, 2002...Donated $200,000 for a children's playground at the Rusk Institute for Rehabilitation... also helped found and dedicated the Leiter's Landing Foundation Playroom on February 7, 2002...the playroom is located on the pediatric floor of NYU Medical Center's Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine...On February 6, 2002, he was appointed to The Board of Directors of the Twin Towers Fund...donated $1,000 for each one of his victories to The Twin Towers Fund in New York City, coming to a total of $13,000...JPMorgan Chase matched Al's donation for a total contribution of $26,000...the money went towards the needs of the children of the slain rescue workers...Donated $10,000 to Amanda's Easel, which is a non-profit agency dedicated to serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault...Donated $10,000 and joined the Common Cents Board of Directors...Common Cents was founded in 1991 to help create opportunitites for young people of all ages and background to develop and express their need to contribute to their communities...Donated $10,000 to the "Al Leiter Little League of Oyster Bay, N.Y." which began in April of 2003...the money donated went towards equipment and uniforms for the little league...In 2003, Leiter's Landing Foundation donated $1,000 for each one of Al's victories, totaling $15,000, to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc...Leiter requested that his contribution go to families from the Tri-State Area...Donated $5,000 along with then-teammates John Franco, Tom Glavine and Mike Piazza to Tuesday's Children... Mets matched the donation for a total of $40,000...the money will be used for scholarships for children who lost a parent on September 11th...Was honored along with LPGA's Annika Sorenstam at the 20th Annual March of Dimes Sports Luncheon as the Sportsman of the Year on December 3, 2003...New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg presented Al with the Award...Received the John V. Mara Sportsman of the Year presented by the Catholic Youth Organization on February 10, 2004 for his charitable work...Cardinal Egan presented Al with the Award...His older brother, Kurt, was a pitcher in the Baltimore organization from 1982-1984 and 1986, while another brother, Mark, played with the Yankees, Tigers, Angels, Giants, Expos, Phillies, Mariners and Brewers from 1991-2001.
2005
Was 7-12 with a 6.13 ERA in 33 games (26 starts) with the Yankees and Marlins in 2005. ...
Began the season with Florida, going 3-7 with a 6.64 ERA in 17 games (16 starts) before being designated for assignment on 7/14. ... Made 16 appearances (10 starts) with the Yankees, going 4-5 with a 5.49 ERA. The Yankees were 5-5 in games he started. ... Was acquired by the Yankees with cash from the Florida Marlins on 7/16 for a player to be named later. ... On 7/17 vs. the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park -- in his first start as a Yankee in 2005 -- recorded the victory in a 5-3 Yankees win.
2004
Posted the 10th-lowest ERA in the Majors (3.21), ranked ninth in the National League with a 2.61 ERA at home, finished eighth in the NL in ERA at night (3.14), and held opponents to a .218 batting average, which ranked sixth in the Majors...Finished with a .500 or better record for the 10th consecutive season, tied for the third-longest current streak in the Majors, behind Greg Maddux (17 straight seasons) and Pedro Martinez (12 straight seasons)...Also has seven straight seasons of 10-plus wins, after picking up 10th win on September 26th vs. the Cubs...became the second Met ever to win 10-plus games for seven straight seasons, along with Tom Seaver...September 26th also marked 50th win at Shea Stadium as a Met, giving him a 50-24 record at Shea Stadium in Mets career (.676 winning percentage)...11 strikeouts on September 15 vs. Atlanta were a Club high, and marked his top strikeout game since he fanned 12 on 8/23/00 at San Diego in 8.0 innings...Lost a game at Shea Stadium to San Diego on August 25, his first loss at Shea Stadium since 6/24/03 vs. Florida, going 9-0 with a 0.97 ERA during that 13-start span...Held opponents to one earned run or less in 15 of his 30 starts in 2004...Picked up his 150th career win on July 6 at Philadelphia, a 4-1 win...Was named the Sharp Pitcher of the Month as the top Mets pitcher in June and July...went 2-0 in June with a 2.10 ERA over five starts (30.0 IP, 7 ER), and 4-1 with a 1.85 ERA in six July starts (34.0 IP, 7 ER)...Went on the 15-day DL on May 20 with left shoulder tendinitis, and came off on June 1, throwing shutout ball in back-to-back starts on June 1 at Philadelphia and June 6 vs. Florida...Opened the season with a scoreless streak that dated back to the second inning on 9/17/03 at the Cubs and reached 29.1 innings before Montreal reached him for a run in the sixth inning on April 20...streak was the longest by a Met since 1985, when Dwight Gooden threw 31.0 scoreless innings.
2003
MAJOR LEAGUE SERVICE: 14 Years, 67 Days
SIGNED BY: Joe DiCarlo (New York Yankees)
HOW OBTAINED: Acquired from the Florida Marlins, along with
in-fielder Ralph Milliard, in exchange for lefthanded pitcher Jesus Sanchez, minor league righthanded pitcher AJ Burnett and minor
league outfielder Robert Stratton on February 6, 1998.
CONTRACT STATUS: Signed through 2004.
FAMILY: Wife, Lori; Daughters, Lindsay Brooke (3/15/95) and Carly
Jayne (12/29/96); Son, Jack Thomas (4/21/00).
Career:
A member of three World Championship teams; Toronto (1992, 1993) and Florida (1997) ... Tossed the first no-hitter in Florida Marlins history on May 11, 1996 vs. Colorado ... Received the Branch Rickey Award in 1999 ... Was the recipient of the 2000 Roberto Clemente Award ... Was selected to the National League All-Star team in 1996 and 2000 ... Was the National League's Pitcher of the Month twice (June, 1999 and June, 2000) ... Was honored as the NL's Player of the Week once (May, 1996) ... Was named to The Sporting News' National League All-Star squad in 1996 ... With his wife Lori, established Leiters Landing, a charitable organization to help children in need.
2003
Completed his sixth season as a member of the New York Mets...He holds the second longest running term of service behind John Franco's 14 seasons.
Opened the year with two straight victories, April 2nd vs. Chicago and April 8th vs. Florida...The last time he won his first two starts of the season was in 1997.
Began the year with a 3-0 record over his first five starts...The last time he accomplished the feat was in 2000, when he started the year 5-0.
Made his 300th career start, but was not involved in the decision, a 6-3 Mets win over the Marlins on April 18th...Struck out nine batters in the contest and walked only two.
Over his first eight starts of the season he compiled a 3.26 ERA...Allowed 18 earned runs over his first 49.2 innings pitched.
Was on the Disabled List from July 7th (retroactive to June 30th) to July 20th, with inflammation of his right knee.
After coming off the D.L., he finished the season with a 7-4 record and a 2.15 ERA (20 earned runs, 83.2 innings pitched) with 68
strikeouts in 13 starts.
Won three consecutive starts, from July 25th-August 5th...Over those three starts, he allowed just one earned run in 20.0 innings pitched (0.45 ERA).
Went 5-0 with a 0.25 ERA (one earned run in 36.0 innings) at Shea after the All-Star Break.
Constructed a 17.0 scoreless inning streak that spanned from July 20th-August 5th.
Struck out a season-high 10 batters, in a 6-4 victory over the Rockies on August 17th...The last time he struck out 10 or more batters came on August 23, 2000 at San Diego, when he struck out 12.
Over his final two starts of the year he comprised a 1.13 ERA (two earned runs, 16.0 innings pitched).
In his last start of the year he hurled a complete-game shutout to defeat the Pirates, 1-0, at Shea Stadium...The last time he had a
complete-game shutout was on September 11, 2002 at Atlanta in the night game of a day/night doubleheader...It was Albs 10th career complete game shutout.
The Mets went 18-12 in Al's 30 starts.
Pitched 6.0 innings or more in 23 of his 30 starts.
Allowed three runs or less in 22 of his 30 starts.
Surrendered a career-high 10 earned runs, in a 11-3 loss, at San Francisco on May 15th...His previous high was eight earned runs, which he allowed three times over his career, the last coming on October 5, 2001 in a 8-6 loss to the Expos.
Tied his shortest regular season outing with the Mets with his 2.0 inning performance on June 8th...Also worked 2.0 innings on September 1, 2002 vs. Philadelphia.
Leiters Landing Foundation donated $1,000 for each one of Al's victories this season, totaling to $15,000, to the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation, Inc., an organization which finances scholarship bonds for children of servicemen and federal agents killed in the line of duty...The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation takes care of all four branches of the armed service, the Army, Marines, Navy and Air Force involved in the conflict in Iraq...Leiter requested that his contribution to go to families from the Tri-State Area.
Donated $10,000 to the "Al Leiter Little League of Oyster Bay, N.Y." which began its inaugural season this past April...The money
donated went towards equipment and uniforms for the little league.
2002
Led the National League with a 2.24 ERA at night.
Also ranked sixth in the NL with a 2.80 ERA on the road and was tied for fourth in the league with two shutouts.
Made his third career Opening Day start on April 1st ... Earned the victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, 6-2, at Shea Stadium ... Over 6.0 innings of work he allowed one run, unearned, four hits, one walk and four strikeouts.
All three of his Opening Day starts have come as a member of the New York Mets ... He is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA (six earned runs, 18.0 innings pitched) in those starts ... The Mets are 2-1 in Al's three Opening Day starts.
Hurled a complete-game shutout to defeat the Expos, 1-0, at Olympic Stadium on April 18th ... It was the first time he threw a complete game and complete-game shutout since September 10, 2000, vs. Philadelphia, in a 3-0 win ... It was the club's first 1-0 complete game victory since Bobby Jones did it on May 17, 1994 at St. Louis.
Owned an 0.38 ERA after his first four starts this year, the lowest ERA in franchise history by any Mets pitcher after the first four starts of the season.
Became the first pitcher in major league history to earn a victory against all 30 major league teams when he defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks, 10-1, on April 30th.
Over a seven start span (June 7th-July 11th), he constructed a 1.90 earned run average (10 earned runs in 47.1 innings pitched).
Tied his career-high with two hits, June 19th vs. Minnesota ... It was his fifth career two-hit contest.
On September 1st vs. Philadelphia he worked 2.0 innings, in a 9-5 loss at Shea Stadium ... It was his shortest regular season outing since September 16, 1988, when he hurled 1.0 inning for the Yankees at Boston.
Hurled his second complete-game shutout of the season to defeat the Braves, 5-0, at Turner Field on September 11th (Night Game).
Over his last five starts of the season he compiled a 2-2 record with a 2.97 earned run average (11 earned runs, 33.1 innings pitched).
Pitched 6.0 innings or more in 23 of his 32 starts ... Worked 7.0 innings or more in 15 of his 32 starts.
Allowed three earned runs or less in 23 of his 32 starts ... Permitted two earned runs or less in 20 of his 32 starts.
Has worked at least 6.0 innings in 123 of his 152 starts as a Met (81%).
Over the last six years, opponents have hit .236 (1194-5060) against him, eighth lowest in the major leagues, and he has recorded a 2.95 ERA at home, which is fifth in the League during that span.
Donated $1,000 for each one of his victories to The Twin Towers Fund in New York City, coming to a total of $13,000 ... JPMorgan Chase, a long-time sponsor of the Mets, matched Al's donation for a total contribution of $26,000 ... The money went to a special fund set up within the charity to meet the educational and medical needs of the children of the slain rescue workers (Police, Fire, Port Authority Police and New York State Court Officers) ... Leiter is one of the 21 members of the Board of Directors of The Twin Towers Executive Fund ... The Fund is headed by former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani ... Other athletes on the Board include: Mark Jackson of the Utah Jazz and Jason Giambi of the New York Yankees.
2001
Finished eighth in the National League with a 3.31 ERA, seventh with a 2.75 ERA in games played during the day, ninth with a 2.72 ERA at home and tied for eighth in walks per nine innings (2.2 batters per 9.0 innings).
Allowed 46 bases-on-balls, the fewest he has issued in any season where he has pitched 105.0 innings or more ... Walked one batter or less in 17 of his 29 starts.
Made three starts this season pitching 7.0 innings or more without surrendering a walk ... Before this season, the last time he pitched 7.0 innings or more
without issuing a walk was on April 3, 2000 against the San Diego Padres ... It was the only time he accomplished the feat in 2000.
Allowed two earned runs-or-less in 18 of his 29 starts ... Allowed three earned runs-or-less in 24 of his 29 starts.
Made his first start on May 18th, after being placed on the 15-Day Disabled List on April 24th (retroactive to April 21st) with a strained left elbow ... Hurled 6.0 shutout innings to defeat the Dodgers, 8-0, at Shea Stadium to earn his first victory of the season.
After returning from the DL, he fashioned a 2.96 ERA (54 earned runs, 164.1 innings pitched) over 25 starts ... In that span he struck out 120 batters and walked 45.
Allowed eight runs on October 5th vs. Montreal ... They were the most runs he has allowed since he permitted eight runs at Colorado on May 10, 1999.
2000
The Mets were 21-10 in his starts.
Increased his record to 10-1, with a 9-1 win over Atlanta on July 1st, his best start ever in the major leagues ... Was 8-3 after 11 decisions with the Mets in 1998.
Completed the season with a team-high 16 wins ... His 16 wins were tied for eighth in the National League ... Ended the season with a 3.20 earned run average, which ranked fifth among National League pitchers.
Tied a career-high by striking out 200 batters ... The last time he struck out 200 batters in a season was in 1996 with the Marlins.
His 200 strikeouts were the fifth most by a National League pitcher and his 8.7 strikeouts per nine innings ranked fourth in the NL.
Was the National League Pitcher of the Month in June ... Went 4-0 with a 2.38 ERA (nine earned runs, 34.0 innings pitched) in five starts ... During that span, he issued 17 walks and recorded 31 strikeouts.
Notched his 100th career victory on July 1st in a 9-1 victory over the Braves.
Was selected as a National League All-Star for the second time in his career ... Was charged with the loss in a 6-3 American League victory ... Worked 1.0 inning, yielding two hits, two runs, one earned, with one walk and one strikeout ... The last time he was selected was in 1996, as a member of the Marlins.
Tied a season-high by striking out 12 batters (the third time this year) in a 4-1 victory at San Diego on August 23rd ... Became the first Met pitcher to have three, 12-strikeout games in a season since David Cone did it four times in 1991.
Hurled a complete-game shutout to defeat the Phillies, 3-0, at Shea Stadium on September 10th ... His last complete-game shutout came on October 4, 1999 at Cincinnati in a one-game playoff for the Wild Card.
POST-SEASON: Was 0-1 with a 2.93 ERA in four post-season starts ... In 30.2 innings he recorded 31 strikeouts.
1999
On October 22nd, he underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee ... Had the patella tendon of his left knee debrided by Mets' Team Physician Dr. David Altchek at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.
Made his first career Opening Day start, at Florida on April 5th ... Lost, 6-2 ... In 5.0 innings, he allowed nine hits, five runs, four earned, with two walks and five strikeouts.
Was named National League Pitcher of the Month for June ... Compiled a 5-0 record with a 2.62 ERA in five games ... In 34.1 innings of work, he allowed 27 hits, 10 runs, earned, 12 walks and 30 strikeouts.
Defeated the Red Sox, 4-2 at Shea on June 12th ... Fanned Damon Buford to lead off the fifth, for his 1,000th career strikeout.
Struck out a career-high 15 batters on August 1st at Chicago.
Hit a three-run double off the Padres' Woody Williams on August 12th ... The three RBI set a career-high ... Previously had two RBI in a game two times, April 7, 1998 at Chicago and April 14, 1998 vs. Chicago ... The last Mets pitcher to have three RBI in a game was Frank Tanana, August 18, 1993 at Cincinnati.
Tossed a two-hit shutout, 5-0, at Cincinnati on October 4th, in a one-game playoff to lift the Mets to the National League Wild Card ... Fanned seven and walked four.
1998
Finished sixth in the National League Cy Young Award voting.
Tied for third in the NL in ERA, was third in winning percentage (.739), second in batting average against (.216) and seventh in strikeouts.
His 17 victories were the most by a Mets pitcher since Frank Viola won 20 in 1990.
Won his first start as a Met, April 7th at Wrigley Field, 3-2.
Worked 25.1 consecutive scoreless innings from April 14th to May 4th, the longest string of his career ... Pitched 23.1 scoreless innings, May 16-June 8, 1995 as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays ... The streak was the longest by a Mets pitcher since Bret Saberhagen worked 26.0 scoreless innings, April 18-May 4, 1992.
Became the first Met pitcher to throw two shutouts in a season since Dwight Gooden in 1993 when he blanked the Expos at Montreal on June 16th ... Allowed five hits, one walk and seven strikeouts ... Frank Viola was the last Met to pitch three shutouts in a season (1990).
Partially tore the patella tendon of his left knee in the seventh inning of the June 26th game with the Yankees when he was covering first on a ball hit by Derek Jeter ... Was placed on the Disabled List on June 27th.
Hit his first career extra-base hit, a double to lift the Mets past the Cubs, 3-2 on April 7th at Wrigley Field.
1997
Underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a medial meniscus tear of the right knee on October 23rd ... The surgery was performed by Marlins' Team Physician Dr. Dan Kanell.
Was on the Disabled List twice ... Placed on the DL from May 1st-May 20th with a bruise on his right knee and again from August 13th-August 29th with a pulled left groin muscle.
POST-SEASON: Held Cleveland to four hits and two runs in six innings in his World Series Game Seven start ... Struck out seven in a 3-2, 11-inning
victory ... Pitched in four games (three starts) with the Marlins in the post-season and Florida won three of his four games ... Made his first Marlins relief
outing in Game Two of the National League Championship Series at Atlanta ... Threw 2.1 innings of three-hit relief.
1996
Tossed the first no-hitter in Florida Marlins' history on May 11th vs. the Colorado Rockies in an 11-0 victory at home ... Walked two with six strikeouts ... Named the National League Player of the Week for his effort.
Ranked seventh in the NL with 200 strikeouts ... His 200 strikeouts set a Marlins' club record for strikeouts in a season.
Named to The Sporting News National League All-Star team.
Also selected to the NL All-Star team ... Picked up the final out in the NL's 6-0 victory at Philadelphia.
Singled in his first regular season major league at-bat, April 14th vs. the Pirates' Jon Ericks.
1995
Set then career-highs in victories, innings pitched, starts and strikeouts.
Posted a career and Blue Jays' club high with 23.1 shutout innings from May 16th to June 8th.
1994
Used exclusively as a starter for the Blue Jays, setting career bests in starts, innings pitched and strikeouts.
Tied a career-high with 11 strikeouts against Texas on July 23rd ... Also fanned 11 as a member of the Yankees on April 14, 1988 vs. Toronto.
1993
Earned his first major league shutout on June 17th vs. the Red Sox ... In 9.0 innings, he allowed two hits, one walk and six strikeouts.
Posted his first professional save on June 28th at Baltimore.
1992
Joined Toronto on September 1st ... Made one relief appearance, October 4th vs. the Tigers ... In 1.0 inning, he gave up one hit, one run, earned, with two walks.
1991
Began the year on the Blue Jays' roster and appeared in just three games before he was placed on the Disabled List on April 22nd with irritation of the ulnar nerve in his left elbow ... Underwent two rehabilitation assignments at Dunedin (A) of the Florida State League from May 20th to May 28th and July 19th to August 7th ... Placed on the Disabled List on August 30th and remained there for the rest of the season.
1990
Placed on the Disabled List shortly after being acquired by the Blue Jays with a sore left shoulder ... Went on rehabilitation assignment at Dunedin (A) of the Florida State League prior to undergoing arthroscopic surgery on September 6th.
1989
Traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for outfielder Jesse Barfield on April 30th...Placed on the Disabled List shortly after the trade with a sore left shoulder...Went on rehabilitation assignment at Dunedin prior to undergoing arthroscopic surgery on September 6th.
1988
Was the only Yankee pitcher to record more strikeouts than innings pitched (60-57.1).
1987
Became the youngest player (21-plus years) to play for the Yankees since Jose Rijo appeared on July 6, 1984 at Minnesota ... Was the youngest starter to win a game since Gene Nelson (June 4, 1981 at 20-years-old).
