Al Leiter's March to his 40th Birthday (#2)

In which we track our favorite non-ERA qualifying YANKEE lefty in his quest to pitch on his 40th birthday (October 23, 2005)

APPEARANCE: October 5 against the Angels in Game 2 of the American League Division Series.

AGE ON DAY OF APPEARANCE: 39 years, 11 months, 12 days

SITUATION: Al enters the game in the bottom of the seventh with two outs and no one on base with the Angels leading, 4-2. Garret Anderson is at the plate.

RESULT: Al got Anderson to fly out to right field to end the seventh, and returned in the eighth. After inducing Vladimir Guerrero to fly out to left field, Bengie Molina hit a homer to increase the Angels lead to 5-2. Darin Erstad then popped out for the inning's second out, after which Al was yanked in favor of Scott Proctor.

SUCCESSFUL? We should say not. Although Al should be commended for retiring the dangerous Anderson and the even more dangerous Guerrero, the homer to Molina makes this a disappointing outing. Al's ERA in the postseason is now 5.40. Root for Al tonight at Yankee stadium as he attempts to pitch in the third week of the 12th month of his 39th year!