The Mets announced Monday that they’ve hired former big league left-hander Al Leiter as an advisor in their baseball operations department. Leiter will focus on scouting and player development, per the Mets, with a particular emphasis placed on mental preparation for pitchers at every level of the organization.
“Al is one of the most memorable pitchers in club history and we are thrilled to welcome him back into the organization,” said general manager Brodie Van Wagenen in a press release announcing the move. “Al’s passion for the game is infectious. His unique ability to communicate his knowledge to players, coaches and the front office will immediately make us better.”
The Mets are also expanding the role of club ambassador John Franco. Like Leiter, he’ll assist the club with scouting and player development, with an emphasis being placed on helping to develop the organization’s pitching talent.
Both Leiter and Franco enjoyed lengthy, productive stints as pitchers for the Mets in the 1990s and 2000s. Leiter pitched for the club from 1998-2004, tallying a combined 3.42 ERA over the life of 1360 innings. Franco suited up for the Mets in parts of 14 MLB seasons, spanning from 1990-2004. In 702 2/3 innings as a Met, he saved 276 games and logged a 3.10 ERA. Both pitchers were fixtures on the Mets’ pitching staff during the organization’s consecutive postseason appearances in 1999 and 2000 — the latter of which resulted in a World Series showdown with the Yankees.
Hmmm MLB Network is losing one of my favorite analysts
Same here, he’s great on the network
Shame they cant just fire Eric Byrnes
Byrnes is brutal, I agree.
He is better then joe buck
Silence is better than Joe Buck..
Byrnes is better than Carlos Pena.
He has become a clown, a distraction.
The network allowed him to become way too eccentric.
It’s fine to have a comic edge—as Dan Plesac has. But Byrnes too it wayyy too far.
I’d rather listen to Byrnes than Leiter. I agree with very little Byrnes says, but I love how the rest of the panel hates him so much.
Listening to Leiter can be an experience since like the way I post, he’d a man of a million words when under a hundred will do. Poor pitchers will be spending their meal money on ear plugs and aspirin.
You’re far from “a man of a million words.” Not one time. I like your posts and though I don’t always agree, you’re a great writer.
Didn’t see conflict from misunderstanding anything you wrote. At least, I never saw anyone who had a problem with you, or length of your posts and I’m on alot lol
Absolutely! Byrnes is an unprofessional joke! Hairdo of a 12 year old
Eric Byrnes hair looks great compared to Chris Vosters’.
Byrnes isn’t there to be an analyst. He is there to be the Pat MacAfee of the network
Can’t stand the dude either, he’s in the 40’s at least and sporting a Mohawk like a 5 year old.
If anyone needs to leave it’s Chris Russo! I can’t stand that guy! He’s completely obnoxious!
Russo is knowledgeable and passionate.
He is a student of the game and it’s history.
He’s knowledgeable of the game’s past, yes, but his analysis of the game’s present is quite awful. I definitely would not trust him to put together a team.
@ThatBall
LMAO, So So So true, he is not normal, and I am surprised they don’t make him get a normal haircut.
The clip of him asking Gary Sanchez a 3 minute long question is my second favorite piece of MLB Network tape.
The best is the clip of Russo watching TV and then cheering whatever bad thing (kids crying after dropping their ice cream, etc.) they green screen into the TV.
LOL!
Not to worry. Quick Pitch will be back on soon which means Heidi Watney season is almost here.
Lauren Shehadi > Heidi Watney. Also Kelly Nash is way hotter. Heidi is only #3 for eye candy on MLBN.
I’d take #3 on that list any day.
Agreed. It would’ve been much, much, much, MUCH better for everyone if the Mets hired Chris Russo instead….
Agreed, Leiter is understated and professional. I hate to say it, but more than a few of the guys on MLB Network are obnoxious. Mark Derosa needs to relax and Byrnes is unwatchable. We need more Mike Lowell and less Sean Casey.
I change the channel when Byrnes is on. Gotta give him some credit, he has made a career out of showboating, from his ridiculous flips when throwing the ball to his bombastic ranting.
Russo I can take in small doses….it’s like he is screaming at you. Brian Kenny is an irritant as well as he all too often gives the air that he is smarter than anyone and everyone else.
Outstanding! Great hires. Mets are starting to impress me a little.
AGREED
Was thinking the same thing. From a distance it has always seemed like they haven’t involved their former players as much as some other teams do. Always good to see these types of hires
Interesting his son is projected first round this year
He never shuts up….
exactly
But he’s a good listen
Gonna be a kick if the Mets draft his son……lots of inbreeding in Mets land……
I guarantee they’ll try, if only as a professional courtesy.
It’s sad to see him leave the MLB Network for sure, but a good hire by the Metsies.
This is great news. Now I don’t have to hear him babble on and on during Yankees games.
Always liked Al Leiter, especially in his Marlins years. I think the Mets made a good hire here.
Al Leiter walked in Andruw Jones in 1999 to give the Braves the NL Pennant.
in 2000, mets made the ws but forgot to show up.
It was Kenny Rogers who walked in the run, not Leiter.
Kenny should have known when to fold ‘em.
Apparently he did.
Smart move by the Mets bringing Al and Johnny Franco back into the fold. I don’t mind Byrnes on the MLB Network he’s out of his mind but he knows the game really well
Too bad I’ll miss him on MLB Network
I didn’t or hear that he’s officially leaving MLB TV. Did I miss it?
the missing word in there is “see”.
Dang Leiter sure “saved” a lot of games for the Mets.
MLB Network just got better. Al is easily the worst ex player analyst. Long winded and when he finally gets to his payoff it flops.
The worst is Carlos Pena. Next is Jim Thome. Thome is a super nice guy but not cut out to be an analyst.
I agree that Thome isn’t very good but Leiter makes me cringe every time he talks. So much so that I change the channel. I know how long his wind up is going to take with out him delivering anything productive.
Pena is decent, he tries hard to stand out but that doesn’t bother me.
Leiter is one of the great guys in baseball. Friendly, down to earth, and with a great charitable organization. Truly class guy.
I wish him well.
You are right Halos-Leiter is with a great charitable organization. Rumor has it that Fred wants hats passed around Chitifield on Opening Day asking for donations to the Mets front office fund.
I’m the meantime with preoccupation for this move and a couple of questionable “genius” signings, the Phillies have left the Mets in the dust.
So now they are looking up at two or three teams and the “win now” plan is out the door.
Too bad that Wagon Wheel short his load too soon. Taking on bloat with Cano, adding a few other social security eligible players and not moving one pitcher are all going to come back to bite him in his butt.
Wagon Wheel short? Huh?
He’s not leaving MLB Network.
General manager Brodie Van Wagenen said Leiter will keep his broadcasting position with the MLB Network, in addition to his new role as Mets baseball operations advisor.
Good to hear.
I read that also. He is a quality analyst, no matter what anyone says and he exudes class.
How can anyone say he’s worse then Pena or Russo…?? Those two combined know a total of 15 players names, with Russo butchering ever name out there and only knowing players pre-1980’s.
Hey Halo-do you want one worse than those two? I can give you a two for one:
Listen to CBS-am New York and you will be dizzy and sick to your stomach listening to John Sterling and Susan Waldman. This duo is absolutely the worst in baseball.
First smart thing you’ve said on here
Hey Brian-you are on the wrong site. This is mlb TradeRumors, no smarty pants baseball fans.
If you can’t take it move on.