Senator Al

From Wiki Gonzalez

Senator Al is a nickname referring to Al Leiter (http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/leiteal01.shtml) and his perceived political aspirations.

Leiter, who pitched for the Mets from 1998 through 2004, is known as an eloquent and articulate athlete, and is thought to have many attractive career options after his playing career ends. He has done (well-received) announcing work for Fox. Additionally, he is a Republican who has lent his services to various party fundraising activities; some predict that he will go into politics after his career is over. (Lord knows he'd be a more appealing candidate than anybody else the Republicans have in New Jersey.)

The nickname also alludes to the widely held theory that during Leiter's time with the Mets, he (along with other "articulate veterans" John Franco, Mike Piazza, and Tom Glavine (http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/glavito02.shtml)) often played politics and attempted to exert more influence on the Wilpons than players normally (or should) exert on a front office.

Regardless of his political gamesmanship, he has developed into a fine, durable starting pitcher since his days as a flame-out prospect with the Yankees and a perpetually injured member of the Blue Jays. In 2005, he re-joined the Marlins, for whom he pitched in 1996-97. After a poor half-season in Miami, he was designated for assignment. The Yankees re-acquired him in an attempt to add starting pitching help for a 2005 playoff push.