NEW YORK - CIRCA 2002: Al Leiter #22 of the New York Mets pitches during an Major League Baseball game circa 2002 at Shea Stadium in the Queens Borough of New York City. Leiter played for the Mets from 1998-2004. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
When the New York Mets picked up Al Leiter prior to the 1998 season, I’m not sure they thought they were getting the gem they ended up with. Leiter was already 32 and coming off a World Series victory with the Florida Marlins but it was hardly the best season of his career.