Miami Marlins All-Time Top 50 Players

46. Al Leiter (4.8)

Al Leiter was a 6’2″, 200 lb. left-handed pitcher from Toms River, NJ. Born on October 23rd, 1965, he was a New York Yankees second round pick in 1984. He made his major league debut with the storied club in 1987, and pitched in a total of 22 games for them prior to getting moved to the Toronto Blue Jays system for Jesse Barfield.

Although Leiter spent his rookie status in 1988 with the Yankees, he only pitched 15 2/3 innings at the major league level in his first four seasons with Toronto. He finally arrived for keeps in 1993, when he was 9-6 for the the Jays. He eventually pitched in 91 games for Toronto, starting 61 of them and going 26-24 with a 4.20 ERA. After the 1995 season, Leiter decided to test the free agency market.

The Florida Marlins inked Leiter to a free agent contract, and watched him go 16-12 with a 2.93 ERA in his first season in South Florida. He didn’t miss a turn in the rotation, making 33 starts, and he also made the all-star team for the first time in his career, finishing ninth in the National League Cy Young Award vote. Leiter posted a 1.263 WHIP and struck out 200 in 215 1/3 innings.

Leiter did not make the all star team during the Marlins championship run the following season, but instead went 11-9 with a 4.34 ERA over 27 starts. He earned a ring despite a WHIP of just below two.

Prior to Spring Training the following year, Leiter was traded with Ralph Milliard to the New York Mets for Rob Stratton, A.J. Burnett, and Jesus Sanchez (not that one).

Leiter remained with the Mets for seven seasons before again signing as a free agent with the Florida Marlins. After going 3-7 with a 6.64 ERA over 16 starts, Leiter was traded back to the Yankees to close out his career.

When it was all said and done, Leiter had completed a 19-season major league career and had won 162 contests. He has since enjoyed a successful second-career as a television commentator.