John Leister
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John William Leister (born January 3, 1961 in San Antonio, Texas) is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 6' 2", 200 lb., Leister batted and threw right-handed. He was signed as a free agent in 1984 out of the Michigan State University.
A three-year starter at quarterback for Michigan State University and a 1991 graduate of MSU, Leister played professional football with the Pittsburgh Steelers (NFL) and the Michigan Panthers (USFL) before pitching for the Boston Red Sox system. He played five seasons in the minor leagues for Winter Haven (1984), New Britain (1985), Pawtucket (1987, 1988-90), and two for the Red Sox (1987, 1990). Leister is known to his fans as "The Mullet Man". It is said that he outbenched Terry Bradshaw at a spring workout. But it is also said that Bradshaw had a bum shoulder.
In a two-season majors career, Leister posted a 0-2 record with 19 strikeouts and a 8.50 ERA in 36.0 innings of work.
Following his playing career, Leister has coached at Alma College since 1992 both for the football and baseball teams. He has led the offense to record-breaking seasons since arriving at Alma, helping the Scots to three MIAA football championships (1992, 2002, 2004), and also led the Scots to the MIAA baseball title in 1999, its first since 1987. He is now the Athletic Director at Alma College.
