Remembering Mets History (2002) Al Leiter Becomes First Pitcher To Defeat All 30 MLB Teams

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Tuesday April 30th, 2002: On this evening in the desert the Mets went up against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Bank One Ball Park. A good crowd of 36,743 came to see Bob Brenly's World Champions host Bobby Valentines, New York Mets. 

Rick Helling went up against Al Leiter, who was going for a feat never done before in MLB. 

Going into this game, Leiter had victories against 29 MLB teams that have been in existence since 1901. With tonight's win, he becomes the first pitcher to beat all 30 MLB teams.


The Mets pounced on Helling in the 1st inning, Roberto Alomar & Mo Vaughn both singled, then Mike Piazza blasted a three run HR making it 3-0.

In the 2nd, Roberto Alomar tripled with one out & scored on a Roger Cedeno fielder's choice. Mike Piazza then came to bat & blasted his second HR in as many innings. This gave him seven HRs & 16 RBIs on the young season.

In the 3rd, a two run Joe McEwing HR finally knocked out Helling who allowed eight earned runs on eight hits & three HRs. 

The Mets greeted Brian Anderson with three straight hits, including an RBI hit to Mo Vaughn. Mike Piazza grounded out to second bringing in another run.

Al Leiter went on to an easy 10-1, as the Mets pounded out 16 hits for him. He pitched seven innings allowing just one run, three hits, no walks & two hit batsman. He had a great start to the season; he was 3-1 with a 0.92 ERA. 

Trivia: The win made him the first pitcher to have victories over all 30 MLB teams.

Al Leiter would go 13-13 with a 3.48 ERA in the Mets dismal 2002 season where they finished fifth (75-86). 

In seven seasons with the Mets Leiter was 95-67 with a 3.42 ERA, winning 15 or more games three times. He won ten or more games each season & is sixth on the Mets all time win list.

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