Meet Rangers prospect Jack Leiter's dad Al Leiter, 2x All-Star pitcher and Mets HOFer

Jack Leiter is about to make his MLB debut after being drafted in the first round three years ago.

That might make someone the most famous person in a family, but not so for the pitcher. He has an MLB father with big shoes to fill. Al Leiter hasn't played since 2005, five years after his future athlete son was born but left an indelible mark on the sport.

Jack Leiter's father Al Leiter is an analyst and commentator for the MLB Network. Since he retired almost two decades ago, he's primarily worked in this space and provided value to fans in a different way.

He played for two teams primarily, the New York Mets and the Toronto Blue Jays. He spent seven years with each team. Leiter made it into the Hall of Fame for the Mets and was an All-Star for them during those seasons.

The former pitcher made a second All-Star team, with the Miami Marlins (who were then called the Florida Marlins). He won the World Series twice and had a career ERA of 3.80 and went 162-132.

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Al Leiter opened up on watching son pitch

Jack Leiter will make his MLB debut this week

For the first time, Al Leiter will get to watch his son pitch in a Major League Baseball game.

He has spent time in the minors but will make his MLB debut this week. In 2019, when Leiter was just a collegiate prospect with Vanderbilt, Leiter admitted that watching and cheering was difficult.

Leiter won two World Series and pitched in countless big games, but he claims thaat it all pales in comparison via MLB.com:

“It is nerve-racking. I have to admit watching my son do something that he loves is way harder and much worse, shall I say, than whatever I did.”

Now, Jack Leiter will face MLB hitters for the Texas Rangers for the first time, so his father may have some nerves while sitting in the stands or watching on television. The Rangers' rotation has been hit with injuries, so Leiter could have a long stay in the MLB.