Jack Leiter Makes His MLB Debut Today

By Jay Horwitz

I can tell you one thing for sure. Al Leiter didn’t sleep at all last night. Today, his son Jack Leiter will make his major league debut pitching for the Texas Rangers at Detroit. With Jack’s start, the Leiters become the first family in history to have four pitchers in the same family pitch in the majors. Al pitched in the big leagues for 18 years, including seven with the Mets, Mark Leiter Sr. had an 11-year career, while Mark Leiter Jr. is now with the Cubs. Jack, a righty, unlike his dad, was picked second overall in the 2021 draft.

“I can’t tell you how excited we all are,” said Al, who will be in Detroit with the rest of his family to see Jack pitch. “He worked hard and did it the right way.”

Al is proud that his family is part of major league history.

“My dad would be so proud that after today four Leiters will have pitched in the bigs,” he said. “It’s really cool.”