Al Leiter Will Be Inducted into the Mets’ Hall of Fame
Al Leiter
Al Leiter will be inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame in 2023, joining his recent inductions into the Central Regional Sports Hall of Fame and the New Jersey Hall of Fame as a local legend.
In a pre-game ceremony on June 3 at Citi Field before the 4:10 p.m. game against the Blue Jays, Leiter, a native of Berkeley Township, will be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame alongside Howard Johnson, Gary Cohen, and Howie Rose, according to a Mets news release.
According to Mets Owner, Chairman, and CEO Steve Cohen, it was an honor to inform each of the four new members that they will be inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame. Al Leiter, who grew up supporting the Mets in New Jersey, is among the top 10 players in team history in terms of victories and strikeouts.
Leiter played for the Mets from 1998 through 2004, and the MLB records show that he won double-digit games seven of those years. For innings, wins, strikeouts, and quality starts, he is among the top 10 pitchers in franchise history.
His two-hit shutout in the one-game playoff against Cincinnati in 1999 is renowned. He was the first pitcher to triumph over each of the 30 teams in the major leagues in 2002. Two times, Leiter was an All-Star.
He received the Branch Rickey Award and the Roberto Clemente Award from Major League Baseball in recognition of his charity work.
These initiatives also benefit his hometown, as it was his six-figure gift that made it possible to reconstruct what is now Al Leiter Field at Central Regional. The Sports Field Management Association recognized the field Field of the Year in 2022.
Leiter expressed his gratitude and described it as a "fantasy dream" to grow up and play for the team he supported as a young fan during a Zoom event sponsored by the Mets.
Leiter remarked, "It's a huge honor, a great recognition.
Al Leiter on Being Inducted into the Mets Hall of Fame
