Syracuse, N.Y. -- Al Leiter returned to Syracuse for the first time in 27 years on Tuesday, huddled all the Mets pitchers into the players lounge at NBT Bank Stadium and closed the door.
It was time for a little inspiration, a task that falls right in line with Leiter’s new job as a baseball operations adviser with the New York Mets.
Leiter used to work near the exact spot where the Triple-A hurlers stood at that moment. He fought to avoid getting lost in the crowd to craft a long and successful big-league pitching career for himself. Leiter wanted to make sure the current group of hurlers remained similarly motivated to keep evolving.
“This isn’t an easy game. Sometimes it’s scary. Sometimes it’s insecure. It’s more, where’s your mind?,” Leiter said of his message. "Triple-A is a tough place. I don’t mean we’re the middle of some bad spot. I’m saying as a baseball player, often you have many guys that have been in the big leagues. Many guys that are either on the way down or think they should be in the big leagues. It’s kind of this waiting area.
“Sometimes, especially when you go through a long year, it’s hard to stay and keep that focus. Don’t lose hope. You’ve got a lot of guys on this team, pitcher-wise, that have spent time in the big-leagues. Stay focused. Stay energized. Have the enthusiasm. Know what your job is. Know what you’re trying to accomplish. Finish strong. What are you trying to do to get better?”
Leiter, 53, illustrated the urgency with a ring on his right hand. Leiter had a lot of options for the fashion accessory. He owns three World Series championship rings, two from Toronto (1992-93) and one from Florida (1997). But he chose to wear a ring tied to more painful memories, from the 2000 Mets. That squad claimed the National League title but lost to the Yankees in the World Series.
The symbolism was clear. Syracuse is now the Triple-A affiliate of the Mets, and with New York fighting back into the heart of a heated pennant race Leiter wanted to stress the potential contributions these players might be asked to make up top.
Al Leiter shows his New York Mets 2000 National League championship ring.
“I can’t remember the last time I wore this. I don’t think I’ve worn it in a long time,” he said of the Mets ring. “The point was for these guys because of what’s going on in New York. And you’re in Triple-A. Don’t think it’s that far away. You could be a guy that could help, whether it’s an at-bat, whether it’s an inning (pitched) whether it’s an out, whether it’s a stolen base. Whatever.”
Syracuse was something of a springboard for Leiter’s career, although he was clearly only a very temporary minor leaguer to start with. Leiter pitched here parts of two seasons, in 1990 and 1992, while recovering from injuries. That’s when the team was known as the Chiefs, played in old MacArthur Stadium and was affiliated with the Blue Jays.
Toronto was neck deep in pitching talent in those days. Leiter recalled a scout from Montreal watching him in Syracuse and opining that Leiter was good enough to be the Expos No. 3 starter right then and there. But with Jack Morris, Jimmy Key, Juan Guzman, Todd Stottlemyre, Dave Stieb, David Cone and David Wells taking care of business up in Toronto, Leiter knew he had to be patient.
“I was pretty good. But the big league club was pretty good too,” Leiter said.
Leiter’s last game in Syracuse was his final appearance in the minors. He compiled a big-league mark of 163-132 with a 3.80 ERA in 19 seasons, including a 95-67 record in seven seasons with the Mets. Leiter left his job as an analyst with the YES Network last off-season to take his current job with New York. This is the first year the Mets have put their Triple-A players in Syracuse.
“The season’s been great,” Leiter said. “I know that they’re really excited about it (the affiliation with Syracuse). And it does make a heck of a lot of sense to come here. It’s a good relationship and it’s only going to get better. I know that the ownership wants this to work. They’re putting a lot of resources in, making sure that this is successful.”