Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

I have been wrapping my head around these rankings for days. For I am Sisyphus and the Fangraphs projections page is my boulder that tumbles down the mountain once I near my answer.

This persistent struggle against the absurdity that is the National League East number one starter debate will ultimately lead to an answer that can be argued for and against a million different ways.

Before we even look into the question as a whole we must determine who even are the No. 1 starters in the NL East.

Mets: Max Scherzer or Justin Verlander
Braves: Max Fried or Spencer Strider
Phillies: Zack Wheeler or Aaron Nola
Marlins: Sandy Alcantara
Nationals: Josiah Gray

Great so we have three teams with a toss-up, a reigning Cy Young Award winner, and Josiah Gray. Sorry, Josiah.

5. Josiah Gray, WSH

Gray earns the Nationals’ ace spot over Patrick Corbin due to prospect pedigree and potential. In 2020 he was the Los Angeles Dodgers’ third-overall prospect. He moved up to second in 2021 with the graduations of Dustin May and Gavin Lux. Gray was then dealt to the Nationals along with Keibert Ruiz for Scherzer and Trea Turner.

The return for the Nationals has been less than stellar. Gray, 25, is still finding his way in the league and likely won’t be Washington’s best pitcher next year (ahem, Trevor Williams). Gray has made 41 major league starts, to the tune of a 5.17 ERA in 219.1 innings.

Gray is projected for 1.0 WAR next season with a 4.60 ERA in 24 starts.

Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Now let’s try and determine the true ace in these pitching battles.

Scherzer vs. Verlander

Two former teammates are back together. Two generational aces and future Hall of Fame members lead the Mets into the 2023 season but their 2022 seasons went differently.

Scherzer, 38, threw the fewest innings last season (sans 2020) since his rookie year in Arizona when he appeared in 16 games and made seven starts. Scherzer was still terrific when he pitched, a 2.29 ERA, 2.62 FIP, and 10.71 k/9 shows the Scherzdog still has it in him.

Verlander made his return from Tommy John surgery in 2022. Now 39, Verlander is the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner after posting a 1.75 ERA over 175.0 innings pitched. Verlander was the Mets make-up signing for losing out on Jacob deGrom and it’s likely he’ll get the Opening Day nod so the Mets can show off their shiny new addition.

EDGE: Verlander

Fried vs. Strider

Fried is the incumbent ace of the Braves. The 28 year old lefty was Atlanta’s most reliable starter last season with 30 starts and over 185 innings pitched. Strider was the new flamethrower. He started the season in Atlanta’s pen but jumped into the rotation to start 20 games and strike out a ludicrous 38.3% of batters faced.

Strider had a better FIP (1.83) than Fried (2.70) and finished with 0.1 less fWAR than Fried in 55 fewer innings pitched. Unfortunately for Strider, his end of the season was hampered by an oblique injury. It’s unknown if Strider can handle a full-season workload and how he’ll look over time so for now I have to go with Fried.

EDGE: Fried

Wheeler vs. Nola

Wheeler and Nola have flip-flopped the ace status of the Phillies for a few seasons now.

Wheeler is a season removed from finishing second in the NL Cy Young vote where he led baseball in innings pitched and strikeouts. Then he followed it up in 2022 with a 2.82 ERA in 153.0 innings.

Nola is a one-time All-Star as well, last making the team in 2018. While Wheeler shined in 2021, Nola had the worst season of his career with a 4.63 ERA in 32 games started. But Nola bounced back in 2022 with a 3.25 ERA in 205.0 innings pitched while finishing fourth in Cy Young voting. Additionally, he proved how useless pitcher records are by going 11-13.

Nola hasn’t made under 32 starts in a season since 2017 and finished with 2.1 more fWAR than Wheeler last season. 2023 looks like another season of Nola leading the charge.

EDGE: Nola

Okay, now we have the final four: Verlander, Fried, Nola, and Alcantara.

How do they rank up?

Here’s how certain projection systems predict they’ll do.

ZiPS
1. Nola: 13-9, 188.1 IP, 3.54 ERA, 3.03 FIP, 4.6 WAR
2. Fried: 15-6, 172.2 IP, 3.02 ERA, 3.18 FIP, 3.7 WAR
3. Verlander: 14-7, 165.0 IP, 2.84 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 3.7 WAR
4. Alcantara: 12-10, 209.0 IP, 3.32 ERA, 3.53 FIP, 3.7 WAR

Well, thanks for nothing ZiPS.

Steamer
1. Nola: 13-10, 199,0 IP, 3.50 ERA, 3.33 FIP, 4.2 WAR
2. Verlander: 12-9, 180.0 IP, 3.36 ERA, 3.30 FIP, 4.0 WAR
3. Alcantara: 12-11, 211.0 IP, 3.56 ERA, 3.42 FIP, 4.0 WAR
4. Fried: 13-9, 190.0 IP, 3.59 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 3.2 WAR

Steamer also has Scherzer (4.3 WAR) over Nola and Wheeler (3.9) and Strider (3.7) over Fried.

The BAT
1. Nola: 15-9 195.0 IP, 3.39 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 4.8 WAR
2. Alcantara: 14-11, 204.0 IP, 3.37 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 4.5 WAR
3. Verlander: 12-8, 163.0 IP, 3.27 ERA, 3.32 FIP, 4.0 WAR
4. Fried: 14-9, 182.0 IP, 3.46 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 3.9 WAR

The BAT has Strider as their fourth-best pitcher (4.7 WAR), Wheeler as their seventh (4.4), and Scherzer as their ninth (4.2).

Frankly, I’m lost as to where to go from here. Nola is projected as the best but that just subjectively feels wrong.

Okay, I’ll just use the fairest scoring system of all. Mario Kart. The top starter by projected WAR gets 10 points, the second gets 8, the third gets 6, the fourth gets 4, the fifth gets 3, and so on. Here’s how all eight names rank up with the three projections.

1. Nola – 10-8-10-28
2. Scherzer – 2-10-3-15
3. Wheeler – 8-3-4-15
4. Alcantara – 3-4-6-13
5. Verlander – 4-6-2-12
6. Strider – 1-2-8-11
7. Fried – 6-1-1-8
8. Gray – 0-0-0-0

Well, Aaron Nola wins it in a runaway. If anything this list is less of a testament to who is the “top-ace” and more oh my goodness the NL East is absolutely stacked at pitching for this upcoming season.

Excluding Gray, all seven of those pitchers ranked among the top 20 starters for next season. That’s incredible. There is not a division in baseball with more pitching talent and it will be a shame the MLB schedule changed so these teams cannot play each other for half the season.

The post 2023 NL East Position Rankings: Ace Edition appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Mets ace Jacob deGrom will throw a simulated game in Port St. Lucie Tuesday, Tim Healey of Newsday reported.

It’s another positive step in the right direction towards deGrom returning to the Mets. He made three rehab starts after going nearly a year without pitching in a competitive game. His first two were for Low-A St. Lucie, while his third was for Triple-A Syracuse. He slowly ramped things up as he went along, throwing 1 2/3 innings in his first outing, three innings in his second and four in his third.

DeGrom was dominant against minor league competition, holding the opposition to zero earned runs over the 8 2/3 innings he pitched. He allowed five hits, one walk and one unearned run, giving him a WHIP of 0.69. He struck out 15 and reached triple digits with his fastball a number of times.

Deesha Thosar of NY Daily News noted that the simulated game will be considered deGrom’s fourth rehab start. He was originally expected to make about four rehab starts. That lines up deGrom to potentially pitch for the Mets as early as next Sunday.

If all goes well, the Mets could be reinstating another ace to a rotation that just got Max Scherzer back. Scherzer has been fantastic since returning, and deGrom should form one of the most formidable duos in baseball with him once he’s back in Queens.

The post Jacob DeGrom To Throw Simulated Game Tuesday appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by James Farrance

Good morning, Mets fans!

Jacob deGrom made his third rehab outing Thursday for Syracuse. He threw 42 pitches over four innings, striking out four while allowing only two hits.

James Villani wrote a detailed report on his outing.

The most interesting part of this outing was that Mets top prospect Francisco Álvarez had the pleasure of catching deGrom. Many have their eye on Álvarez in 2o22, as his future as a big leaguer creeps nearer. He already has been able to catch Max Scherzer in a rehab start, who gave the young catcher high praise.

DeGrom said in his postgame interview that Álvarez was “a good target back there.”

The Mets beat up on the Cubs on Thursday night in a 8-0 win in the first game of a four-game series.

Latest Mets News

Jeff McNeil described what his last few days have been like while he was away from the team, saying they were “perfect“.

Tim Healey of Newsday reported that Trevor May will face live batters Sunday for the first time since his injury.

Deesha Thosar of the New York Daily News reported that Wayne Kirby will be undergoing surgery during the All-Star break.

Latest MLB News

Kaitlyn McGrath of The Athletic wrote on the firing of Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that the Yankees acquired Tyler Wade from the Angels.

Mike Petriello of MLB.com wrote on Statcast bat tracking.

Jason Meisner of the Chicago Tribune reported that the U.S. attorney’s office in Chicago filed a lawsuit against the Cubs, claiming that Wrigley Field wasn’t appropriately accessible to fans who use wheelchairs or have other disabilities.

Jeff Kurkjian posted a picture of his father Tim in Cooperstown.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that former Freddie Freeman agent Casey Close sued radio host Doug Gottlieb for libel.

Jack Curry of YES reported that Luis Severino is likely to go on the IL.

Jeff Fletcher of the SoCal News Group reported that Shohei Ohtani received an invite to participate in the 2022 Home Run Derby but declined.

The official bracket for the 2022 Home Run Derby was revealed. The Home Run Derby will begin at 8 p.m. ET.

Latest on MMO

Another episode of MMO Weekly was released, as former Mets radio broadcaster Josh Lewin joined the show!

Christian De Block wrote on Francisco Lindor‘s recent success.

Gianna Arantes wrote a recap of the Mets 8-0 victory over the Cubs.

John Sheridan wrote a 3 Up, 3 Down on the Mets series victory in Atlanta.

Christian De Block wrote a series preview on the Mets series in Chicago.

Steve Sica wrote the daily Mets Minors Recap, highlighted by home runs from Brett Baty and Mark Vientos.

On This Date in Mets History

1991: The Mets trade Ron Darling to the Expos in exchange for reliever Tim Burke. In 257 games with the Mets, Darling pitched to a 3.50 ERA.

Let’s go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Jacob DeGrom Praises Francisco Álvarez appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Mets ace Jacob deGrom will make a rehab start for the Low-A St. Lucie Mets Sunday, Buck Showalter said Saturday.

The dominant right-hander hasn’t pitched this year due to a stress reaction in his right shoulder. He’s been slowly ramping things up recently, and now he’s finally to the point where he will make a rehab start.

The news comes shortly after Max Scherzer finished his rehab stint with the Double-A Binghamton Rumble Ponies, where he made two starts and is expected to return to the Mets on Tuesday.

Now, the Mets will have two major rotation developments in the span of just a few days with deGrom making this rehab start. He’ll likely be on a pitch count, and it’s unclear how many rehab starts he’ll need to get back to the Mets. But it’s a giant step in the right direction regardless.

The Mets are in first place in the NL East, even though deGrom hasn’t pitched at all and Scherzer has missed a chunk of time.

DeGrom, 34, posted an absurd 1.08 ERA in 15 starts last year before going down with another injury. He still came in ninth in Cy Young voting despite missing over half the season. His best year was 2018, when he put up a 1.70 ERA in 32 starts and won his first Cy Young award. He came in fifth in MVP voting.

He followed that up with another Cy Young campaign in 2019, posting a 2.43 ERA in 32 more starts. He led the league in strikeouts that year with 255.

For his career, which begun in 2014, deGrom has compiled a 2.50 ERA in 198 starts, spanning 1,261 2/3 innings. His career WHIP is just barely over 1.00, sitting at 1.011. He’s struck out 10.7 batters per nine innings while walking 2.1 and allowing 0.8 homers per nine. He’s thrown four complete games, including two shutouts — one of which came last year.

With Scherzer returning and deGrom following shortly behind him, things are looking up for this Mets rotation.

He’s back.

The post Jacob DeGrom Will Make Rehab Start For St. Lucie Sunday appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Press and Sun-Bulletin

When the Mets signed Max Scherzer to a three year, $130 million contract this past offseason, they knew what they were getting. An eight-time All-Star, a three time Cy Young award winner, a World Series champion and most importantly, a great teammate. The 2021 Mets lacked a leader, or at least someone to keep the room together and the result was an erratic season with no one to steer the ship.

Scherzer, along with manager Buck Showalter, Eduardo Escobar, Mark Canha and Starling Marte, have provided the club with stability within the clubhouse and created a culture far different than last season. In Scherzer’s case, not only does his track record help change things, but also that he seems to be a really good guy. In games, he is a fearless competitor while being ruthless and intense on the mound. Outside of that, he is seen as an incredible teammate and great clubhouse presence.

His reputation around the league of being a good teammate is what drew the Mets to signing him and in the first few months of his tenure here, you can already see the effect he’s had on everyone else. Many times during a game, you can see Scherzer engaged with many different teammates in the dugout, whether he’s hyping up Francisco Lindor or sitting around with the other starting pitchers sharing information and picking each others brains. Things like this were missing last season and having it now, it’s noticeable in all the right ways.

Another example of Scherzer’s character was how he went about his time during his two rehab starts in Binghamton. After suffering an oblique injury on May 18, the Mets sent Scherzer to rehab with the Double-A Rumble Ponies. Generally, a rehabbing major leaguer tends to treat their fellow minor league teammates to a team meal or a small gift as a gesture of appreciation. After Scherzer’s first rehab start, he went all out and provided a locker room feast that included ribeye steaks, filet mignon and lobster. The number thrown around was close to $7,000 in total.

Max Scherzer will take care of the postgame spread for the Rumble Ponies:

"They're eating well tonight" 😂 pic.twitter.com/LpkFG5wIeG

— SNY (@SNYtv) June 30, 2022

A wonderful gesture from a player who understands what minor leaguers go through during a season and offered them a kind gesture as a token of appreciation. It didn’t stop there, as Scherzer would go on and buy the entire Rumble Ponies team new AirPods two days after that first start in Binghamton.

“He bought everyone AirPods,” a source told FOX Sports. “We walk in and there’s a clubbie just handing out AirPods saying they’re from Max.”

None of this had to be done but it seems like Scherzer did this out of the kindness of his heart. While we don’t want to reflect on the material stuff fully, the gesture of looking out for your teammates and or lifting someone who is below you is a key trait in what Max Scherzer provides for the New York Mets. The Mets need Scherzer on the mound, now more than ever, but they are also lucky to have him around the others, as he’s been a key player in changing the clubhouse culture around. It certainly helps your team win when everyone is getting along.

The post Max Scherzer: Great Pitcher, Better Teammate appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Good morning, Mets fans!

The Houston Astros swept the Mets again after defeating the Mets Wednesday 2-0. Taijuan Walker pitched a gem of 7 1/3 scoreless innings but Drew Smith allowed a two-run home run with two outs in the ninth inning that decided the game. Dan Quiñones has more on the game.

Now it is time for the morning briefing.

Latest Mets News

Max Scherzer allowed three runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings in his rehab start for the Binghamton Rumble Ponies last night. The earliest that he can pitch for the Mets would be Monday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Watch Max Scherzer react to his rehab start for the @RumblePoniesBB tonight.

Full interview 👉 https://t.co/eWzIgvq25O pic.twitter.com/kyshq9pfkf

— New York Mets (@Mets) June 30, 2022

Latest MLB News

Doug Gottlieb of The Doug Gottlieb Show reports that Casey Close never told Freddie Freeman about the Braves’ final offer, hence why Freeman fired him. He found out in Atlanta this weekend. Close knew that Freeman would’ve accepted the Braves’ offer even though it was less money.

The Houston Astros selected Mark Appel with the number one overall pick in 2013. Last night, he made his MLB debut for the Phillies.

Mark Appel was the No. 1 overall pick in 2013.

In 2018, he stepped away from the game.

In 2021, he started his comeback.

Tonight, he made his big league debut and threw a scoreless inning. pic.twitter.com/adSjTjxinP

— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2022

Juan Lagares has cleared waivers and has elected free agency, according to the Los Angeles Angels.

Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports that Bryce Harper had surgery today to repair a fractured left thumb. The surgery went as planned with no complications. Doctors are estimating he will miss six to eight weeks, but since he’s a fast healer, he’s hoping that he will recover sooner.

Matt Monagan of MLB.com writes about the Portuguese water dogs that were used to retrieve baseballs from McCovey Cove in San Francisco.

Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post writes about Kelsie Whitmore, a 24-year-old woman playing in the Atlantic League with dreams of becoming an MLB player.

Latest on MMO

Nate Mendelson writes that Carlos Carrasco‘s first-inning struggles have returned.

Rich Sparago reports that MLB’s antitrust exemption is under federal scrutiny.

On This Date in Mets History

1962: Sandy Koufax pitched his first career no-hitter against the Mets.

Birthdays: Chan Ho Park (49), Tony Fernandez (60), Ron Swoboda (78)

Let’s go Mets!

The post Morning Briefing: Astros Sweep Mets Again appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

Photo by Ed Delany of MMO

Jacob deGrom took another step in his progression Saturday, throwing 20 pitches in an inning of live batting practice to Mets minor leaguers in Port St. Lucie.

“You kind of wait and see how he recovers tomorrow,” manager Buck Showalter said. “It’s like the imaging; you start with an X-ray, and then you go to the different ones. Today went really well.”

DeGrom is yet to pitch this year after an injury-shortened season in 2021. Fellow ace Max Scherzer is also on his way back, with a return coming as soon as next week. While deGrom is further behind, he continues to progress in the right direction. He’s expected to return in July, though that date has gradually been pushed back.

DeGrom will throw another BP session in the coming days and then possibly make a minor league rehab start.

“I’ve got a perfect scenario where he might fall, and so far it’s followed that,” Showalter said.

The post Jacob DeGrom Throws Live Batting Practice Session appeared first on Metsmerized Online.

The date was October 4, 1999.

The New York Mets and Cincinnati Reds were getting set to embark on a Game 163 to decide who would be the National League wild card. After losing seven straight games in late September, the club clawed back by winning five of their last six, which tied the Reds’ record of 96-66.

Luckily for the Mets, the arm they turned to for this crucial play-in game was a man that never shied away from the spotlight, having appeared in two World Series in ’93 and ’97 and pitched a no-hitter in ’96, in New Jersey native, Al Leiter.

Leiter, 52, recalls that game in Cincinnati vividly. He remembers the raucous crowd, the playoff-like atmosphere, and being locked in the moment, hoping to send the Mets to their first postseason in eleven years.

An early two-run home run in the first from Edgardo Alfonzo set the tone as Leiter cruised through one of the most memorable Mets starts in club history: firing a complete game, two-hit shutout in the Mets’ 5-0 win.

Leiter was so in tune with the game that he recounts not realizing that he had a one-hitter going into the ninth inning. The first time he realized was after giving up a leadoff double in the ninth to Pokey Reese, as he turned his head to the scoreboard to see the Reds’ hit column change from one to two.

Leiter’s resume with the Mets is filled with quite the accomplishments. Among all-time Mets pitchers, Leiter is sixth in wins (95), sixth in game starts (213), ninth in ERA+ (124) and fourth in pitcher’s bWAR (28.0).

In the 2000 Subway Series, Leiter threw the most innings between both the Mets and Yankees (15.2), posting a 2.87 ERA with 16 strikeouts in his Game One and Game Five starts. In both games, Leiter kept the Mets in it, firing seven innings of two-run ball in Game One, followed by an eight-inning, two-run effort before giving up two more runs (one earned) in the ninth in Game Five.

In total, Leiter’s career spanned nineteen major league seasons, compiling a record of 162-132 with a 3.80 ERA and 40.0 bWAR.

Considering that Leiter dealt with early elbow and blister troubles, not to mention two shoulder operations prior to his 25th birthday, his career truly blossomed later on in life.

In fact, since the ER became official in both leagues in 1913 and among starting pitchers from age 30 on, Leiter is one of 24 players to post the following stats:

• ERA+ of 115 or better
• 175 or more quality starts
• bWAR of 30.0 or better

His company here includes Hall of Famers such as Walter Johnson, Lefty Grove, Warren Spahn, Bob Gibson, Tom Seaver and Greg Maddux.

Since retiring from baseball, Leiter has offered his expertise and analysis for both the YES and MLB Networks, providing tremendous critiques and insight on a new crop of major league starters. His wit and fun-loving personality-  paired with his immense baseball acumen – make him a perfect fit as an analyst.

Leiter will always be remembered fondly for his time with the Mets, leading a staff that was ready to make some noise in the postseason after a decade-plus drought.

I had the privilege of speaking with Leiter in late February, where we discussed his early love for the Mets as a kid, his setbacks with injuries and Game 163 in 1999.

MMO: Who were some of your favorite players growing up?

Leiter: Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman and Wayne Garrett. 1973 was more impressionable because I was eight-years-old. I do remember the ’69 Series; I was only five but I remember watching on my black-and-white TV.

Growing up in my house, my dad was a big Mets fan because of Casey Stengel and the “lovable losers.” He’s a guy who always wanted to root for the underdog, and it was easy because my dad was born in Manhattan, grew up in Islip, and here come the Metsies!

I’m the last of seven; I have five older brothers, and they were Met fans. It was easy to gravitate to Seaver, but I liked Koosman. I remember the ’73 season a lot, certainly with John Milner standing out, and I mentioned Garrett. Jon Matlack – he was an easy and fun guy to watch – and Tug [McGraw] was still there.

The blue and the orange, man, I grew up on that.

MMO: At what point during your development did you primarily pitch?

Leiter: I hit, but I knew I was going to be a pitcher because of my size, strength and I threw hard. I had a lot of strikeouts and stuff like that.

I think at an early age, maybe a little past Little League, is when I started realizing that hitting was for fun, and with pitching, I have a chance to play in college.

MMO: Prior to the 1984 Draft, did you have any notion that the New York Yankees were looking to select you in the second round?

Leiter: No, actually, the Yankees were a very big surprise. The teams that really stood out, and I did some sit-downs with the scouts and the evaluations, were the Angels, White Sox, Kansas City, Cubs and the Dodgers. The Orioles [as well], because I had two brothers that were in their system at the time.

The Yankees, no, they were kind of covert, and I didn’t really see the Mets. [I met with] the Phillies; I was out at the Vet a couple of times leading up to the Draft.

The day I was drafted, the local radio guy came down to my high school field, I wasn’t pitching that day, and he said, “We just got off the wire; you were drafted in the second round by the Yankees.”

I’m like, ‘The Yankees?’

Three years later, I’m pitching at Yankee Stadium! That whole, you’re a Mets fan/you’re a Yankees fan, you hate the Yankees/you hate the Mets, well, I grew up a Mets fan, and three years out of high school, I’m pitching at Yankee Stadium!

Don Mattingly is my first baseman, Willie Randolph is my second baseman. I’m throwing to Rick Cerone. Dave Winfield’s in right field, Rickey Henderson is in left. I’m in the same rotation with Tommy John, Rick Rhoden and Ron Guidry; it’s crazy! It was pinch-me kind of stuff.

MMO: And while you were in the Yankees’ system, you learned your trademark cutter from Guidry?

Leiter: It was really a slider. I was a fastball/curveball guy through the minor leagues. [Dave] Righetti via Guidry kind of showed me a different grip on my slider, and then I started throwing sliders pretty well.

Over the years, my slider evolved into a cutter because I threw it really hard. That kind of ended up being my pitch.

Of course, I threw a fastball, curveball and change, but mostly the cutter was very effective.

MMO: Early on in your career, you dealt with several setbacks with injuries, including two shoulder surgeries. How difficult was that period for you, and how did you deal with it on the sidelines?

Leiter: Yeah, extremely. So listen, I was a good student. I did choose the University of Florida, but I had scholarships to go to Northwestern and Stanford, and some other good schools. School and academics did matter, but I grew up in a family that was not even close to wealthy; very blue-collar and middle-class. Money and the signing bonus the Yankees gave me did matter, and it was life-changing kind of stuff back then.

I thought I was going to be an engineer, play a few years in the minor leagues, not make it, and go to Rutgers and get some kind of engineering degree. I was always interested in mechanical drawing, and I thought [I would be] some sort of mechanical engineer.

When that all played out and I had my first shoulder surgery at 23 and my second shoulder surgery at 25, I lost a good four years, almost five years from when I was 23 until I eventually got back at 26. It was a good four seasons.

I went back to school. I got my college degree, got sponsored by a Wall Street firm, I got my Series 7 [license]; I thought I was done.

I revamped my delivery, changed much about everything I did prior to my two shoulder operations and I pitched thirteen more years from 26-years-old until I retired at 40.

Photo by US Presswire

MMO: In 1996, you posted your best season to date, eclipsing the 200-inning mark for the first time, winning 16 games and posting a 2.93 ERA. You also tossed a no-hitter on May 11th against the Colorado Rockies. To you, what made that season so special?

Leiter: So 1993 was really my coming-out party. I pitched Game Two of that year. I was supposed to be the fifth starter, but Dave Stewart had an injury, and I followed Jack Morris. I started and relieved, but mostly started.

During the postseason in the ALCS against the White Sox that year, Cito Gaston picked Todd Stottlemyre as our fourth starter. We had a really good team; I liked it.

I pitched out of the pen for the first time ever and then pitched in the pen through the World Series. That was kind of where I was healthy and had a good plan. I had a good routine, a good process; I was back, and I threw the ball well.

Then ’94 was very quirky for many of us; we had the strike, and the season ended early. The Blue Jays as a whole, we just didn’t get going, and it was very weird. From 1992-93 we won back-to-back World Series; ’94 we tried, but it just wasn’t good. 1995 I also had a good year; innings weren’t as high as 200, but I threw well. That was kind of where it really started for me.

Then I signed that winter with the Marlins. So from ’95 to about ’01-02, a nice little six-seven-year window where I just felt healthy, I had an idea and I learned how to pitch better.

So 1996, the National League, I threw a no-hitter, made my first All-Star team, all of that. The whole proverbial never give up, believe in yourself, and keep working hard [thing].

MMO: What were your initial reactions when you heard you were traded to the Mets in February of 1998?

Leiter: I was thrilled. I knew what was happening, and I was one of the last guys to get traded in February. I knew we were all getting traded; anybody who was making anything above the minimum was out of there.

I remember the day before Dave Dombrowski called me and said, “Listen, I’m not promising you anything. I’ve been talking with Walt Jocketty and the Cardinals and Steve Phillips and the Mets.”

He was not doing me a favor if the prospects were not right, but he asked if I had a preference.

I said, ‘Dave, first of all, thank you for calling me. That’s very nice of you. I know what’s going on with the club. I grew up a Mets fan. I was a huge Mets fan as a kid, and Shea Stadium, and every time you go there as a visiting player I’d stay late and hang out. Honestly, that would be a dream come true.’

He said, “All right. Again, I can’t promise you anything.”

It wasn’t a full day later I get traded, and it was a package of A.J. Burnett and a few other players. Total, total thrill. Not only to get back to New York but to play for the team you rooted for as a kid.

MMO: Where does Game 163 of the 1999 season rank for you in your career?

Leiter: Usually, when asked that question, I put it second only to Game Seven of the World Series, where it’s a take-all. While that’s a winner-take-all-winner-move-on in a Game 163 – a Game Seven start is stuff you just dream about in the backyard.

I pitched well; we eventually won in extra innings, and we beat the Indians in the World Series [1997]. That to me, even though it wasn’t as good a game – six innings, two runs – it was great.

A subset 1A is that game.

Knowing that the Mets hadn’t been in the postseason for many years and I was in my second year back with the Mets, we pushed and almost made the playoffs in 1998. But here we are trying to make the playoffs in ’99.

I knew that I was pitching either Game One against Randy Johnson and Arizona or I was going to pitch this 163^rd game.

We fly into Cincinnati, a raucous crowd, and I was locked in. We got early runs, and it was awesome.

Certainly, a two-hit shutout is beyond dream stuff. I can tell you how locked in I was: it was in the ninth inning and Pokey Reese hits a double to left field, and I’m getting the ball back from Rey Ordonez at short. At Cinergy Field, I remember seeing in the ninth inning the one hit for Cincinnati changing to two hits. I remember turning around on the mound and looking back to [Mike] Piazza behind home plate, and I’m like, Holy shit!

I’m not kidding you. I said this to myself: ‘I had a one-hitter?!’

I was just so make my pitch, make my pitch, make my pitch. It was like a profound thing. I got the ball, I knew we were going to win; it was five zip. It was one of those special games where everything was just right and a big moment. Huge, huge thrill.

MMO: Your two starts in the 2000 Subway World Series were extremely solid as well. In total, you pitched 15.2 innings over two starts (Game One and Game Five), with 16 strikeouts and a 2.87 ERA. Talk a bit about that Series.

Leiter: First of all, if we win Game One, we beat the Yankees. I’m convinced of it. They had everything to lose and nothing about it to gain. They were the mighty Yanks, and here we were the Mets, a really nice team but certainly not the Yankees. Are you kidding?

My Game One I went seven innings; we were winning 2-1 and lost in extra innings. That was freaking awesome, and I loved the challenge. Yankee Stadium, Andy Pettitte, all the Yankee lore, and I was like, Bring it on, baby! I’m getting after it, and I’m going to kick your ass. We end up losing, which was very unfortunate.

Then the next game with [Mike] Hampton and the broken bat and Piazza and all of that. Just being down 0-2, I felt that I really felt like if we won Game One, the Yankees faced a lot of bullshit pressure/heat. They’ve got to win, they’ve got to win, they’re the Yankees! That was so deflating when you’ve got a shot and your closer’s in the game to win the game, and it ends up not happening, and we lose in extra innings. That one hurt. And then we win Rick Reed‘s Game Three.

I don’t know, hindsight’s, who knows? It was awesome for someone who really relished the whole New York/New York thing and the Subway Series and Mets fans/Yankee fans. I was a Mets fan growing up, and I started with the Yankees, cut short prematurely by injury, and then the trade, and here I am back. It was great; I was living the dream.

MMO: I’ve spoken to some of your former teammates (Glendon Rusch, Todd Zeile, Pat Mahomes) who all commented on the camaraderie the teams in 1999 and 2000 had. Was that something you noticed as well?

Leiter: Yeah, I’m a big believer in it, and I can tell you it mattered to me. Being one of the older guys that got it and wanted the cohesiveness and needed the cohesiveness of everybody in the room, no matter if you were Piazza, utility infielder, or a guy that didn’t pitch a whole lot out of the pen. I, along with Johnny Franco, who led the way, had a great bunch, and it was by design. It was by purpose.

If we were flying into a city on a Sunday and it was a day game and we got into whatever city, we’d make sure everybody knew, Hey, we’re going to dinner. Morton’s, here, there. I don’t care if you want to go out or not; you better be there; you’ve got to eat dinner.

We had a lot of times where it was fifteen to eighteen players at a restaurant. I can’t tell you how a facet of missing the playing days is of the camaraderie of your teammates and the baseball life. The importance of good teams being better because of us having a better room, a better unit, no bullshit. Not saying stuff didn’t come up where you have to put out the brush fires once in a while, but we had a nice, really tight room.

MMO: For your career, the catcher that you had behind the plate most was Mike Piazza. In recent years, his defense has received better merit due to his pitch-framing abilities. How was he for you behind the plate?

Leiter: I liked him. Mike got hitting, of course; he’s great. He also got what I thought was a real good strength of his: he knew every one of his pitchers and their strengths and weaknesses. He really kind of laid on, if you’re going to get beat, get beat with your best stuff.

It was a great relationship. I’m tight with Mike; we’re friends on and off the field. It was assurance and reassurance of a guy that was not only a prolific hitter and the center of our lineup, but he really gave a crap about wanting to catch a good game. And because of the criticism of him that [catching] wasn’t the best part of his game, he worked his ass off at it.

He didn’t just say, I’m a hitter, and I don’t care about the defense. Not at all, man. He was always working at it. He did get a bum rap – he didn’t have Benito Santiago or Tony Pena’s arm – but it was more than enough, and he cared about catching a good game, and I thought he framed as good as anybody.

MMO: You were on the mound for the first game back after baseball resumed following the horrific terrorist attacks on 9/11. What was that day like for you, and what were your emotions on the mound in Pittsburgh?

Leiter: Yeah, that was tough. I was in Manhattan; I was actually on the tarmac flying to Pittsburgh when that happened. My daughter had her first day of first grade in Manhattan. I figured Pittsburgh is so close, and I took an 8 a.m. flight, and the rest is history; we know what happened that day.

Baseball seemed inconsequential; it really didn’t seem relevant. We also knew we had a job, and obviously what we eventually realized the day we came back and played the Braves in New York was how important baseball actually mattered at that time and how we were able to help heal.

I’d be lying to you, man, pitching that game in Pittsburgh; it just didn’t feel like it really mattered. [We] still had a job to do, and I think I pitched well, and we won.

That was tough. That was a tough time.

MMO: You would work in the studio and booths during postseason games you weren’t a part of during your career at times. Did you realize early on that your second career would be as a broadcaster and analyst?

Leiter: My feeling was this, and I’ve been asked to coach; I’ve been asked to be in different organizations, front offices, and different teams have asked me if I wanted to be a part of their player development. I just value my family, I value my kids, and I value my time. I was fortunate enough to make good money. I don’t do this for the money; I do this for the fun. I just thought, What a great way to stay in the sport that’s been very good to me, and I can have great flexibility.

That was really the impetus behind doing TV stuff, so I just think it’s a fun gig; it’s just fun.

MMO: Have you ever thought about returning to the game as a coach or manager someday?

Leiter: I’ll be honest with you, I’ve had three or four teams that have asked me about coaching, and I’m talking big leagues. And no, I just know the schedule, and I know what would have to be the commitment.

My son’s a junior in high school, and I have two daughters; one’s still in college and the other just graduated. I have a seventh-grade daughter. I know what that life is like, and yeah, no.

What I am intrigued with is being with an organization someday on an advisory/player development [level]. In the room, helping with an idea or opinion on the roster. That intrigues me, and I think that would be interesting.

MMO: When you reflect on your 19-year career, what are you most proud of?

Leiter: I think what I’m most proud of is not a game, and it’s not a stat. I was very aware that I was blessed every time I put on a major league uniform, and I was very cognizant of giving my best. Being mentally and physically prepared to do the best that I was capable of. I never cheated anybody or a fan. What you saw might’ve been a bad game, but what you saw was my preparation to be the best I can be.

I think I’m most proud of that, and it was really based on failure, injury and doubt as to whether I would ever do anything in the big leagues after my injuries. When I came back in that 1993 season as a 27-28-year-old I always said, ‘I’m going to give everything that I had to be the best I could be today.’

I think that’s what I’m most proud of.

MMO: Looking ahead to the current 2018 season, what are your overall thoughts on the Mets this year?

Leiter: Health withstanding, and the rotation pitches the way we’ve been talking about it now for the last couple of years? They’re a playoff team. I say that with little or no hesitation.

Now, are they better than the Nationals? No. Will they compete for one of the Wild Cards? Absolutely.

Other than the improvement of what Milwaukee has done, the Dodgers certainly head and shoulders, I think there’s no reason why the Mets can’t go from 70 to 90 wins. It sounds crazy because you’re talking about a twenty-game swing, but I believe in their pitchers that much. I believe in the National League brand of baseball in winning 3-1, 3-2, 4-1, and I think A-Gon has a lot to prove; he was a hell of a player and a hell of a hitter when healthy.

Again, it is purely a health issue with this team. I love Todd Frazier; he’s going to rub off so much positive clubhouse chemistry, and I’m curious about [Amed] Rosario. I’ve heard about him, but I haven’t seen much, but I want to see what he’s all about.

You get deGrom, Syndergaard, Harvey, Matz and these boys going and throw in a little Jason Vargas; this could be a good team.

MMO: Do you have confidence that we can see an improved Matt Harvey this year?

Leiter: I do, I like Matt a lot. My heart says I want Matt Harvey to have the year I think we know he can have. Beyond that, I haven’t seen him. I don’t know how he feels, I don’t know what he does in the training room, I don’t know all of that.

Assuming he’s healthy, I got him as a top guy in the National League. Somewhere in the ten-to-fifteen range.

MMO: Thank you very much for your time today, Al. It was great speaking to you.

Leiter: Right on, man. Take care.

Follow Al Leiter on Twitter, @Al_Leiter22

The post MMO Exclusive: Former Mets Ace, Al Leiter appeared first on Metsmerized Online.