Oft-injured with the Toronto Blue Jays, Al Leiter bolted from the Jays as a Free Agent in 1996 for the sunnier skies of Florida. It was there that he was finally healthy and showed what he was capable of all along.
In 1996, he had his most successful year in professional baseball, posting 16 wins and a career-low ERA of 2.93. On May 11, he demonstrated exceptional command of the mound by pitching a no-hitter against the Rockies, a significant milestone for the young franchise. That summer, he achieved a historic milestone by earning his first All-Star selection, demonstrating that when in optimal health, his specialized "cutter" and high-velocity pitches were among the most effective in the senior circuit.
Leiter reached his peak in team success during the 1997 championship. His regular-season stats dipped, 11 wins and an ERA over 4.30, but he was a key part of Jim Leyland’s rotation. He became a postseason hero in the 1997 World Series, notably pitching six innings of two-run ball in Game 7 against Cleveland, helping the Marlins stay competitive for a late-inning rally.
Like so many 1997 Championship Marlins players, Leiter was part of the biggest baseball fire sale until the team did it again after their 2003 Title. He was traded to the Mets, though he returned as a Free Agent for an ineffective year in 2005.
With the Marlins, Leiter won 30 Games against 28 Losses with a 4.07 ERA.
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