Mark Leiter was a professional baseball player who played as a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on April 13, 1963, in Joliet, Illinois, and grew up in Toms River, New Jersey. Leiter attended Central Regional High School in Bayville, New Jersey, where he played baseball and football.
Leiter was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 4th round of the 1983 MLB draft, but he did not sign with the team. Instead, he attended the University of New Orleans, where he played college baseball for the Privateers. In 1984, Leiter was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 11th round of the MLB draft, and he signed with the team.
Leiter made his MLB debut with the Yankees on September 15, 1990, at the age of 27. He pitched in relief in his first game, allowing one run in two innings of work. Leiter spent the next two seasons with the Yankees, primarily as a relief pitcher. In 1992, he was traded to the Detroit Tigers, where he became a starting pitcher.
Leiter had his best season in 1993, when he went 11-11 with a 3.13 ERA for the Tigers. He also pitched two complete games and one shutout that season. In 1994, Leiter was traded to the California Angels, where he spent one season before being traded to the Seattle Mariners.
Leiter bounced around the league for the next few years, playing for the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, and Montreal Expos. He had some success as a starting pitcher, but he also struggled with injuries and inconsistency. In 2000, Leiter signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he pitched in relief for one season before retiring from baseball.
Overall, Leiter had a solid career in MLB, pitching for 11 seasons and compiling a record of 65-73 with a 4.57 ERA. He pitched in 360 games, including 174 starts, and recorded 1,059 strikeouts in 1,196 innings pitched. Leiter was known for his versatility as a pitcher, as he could pitch in relief or as a starter, and for his competitive spirit on the mound.
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