Leiter gets one last out before retiring

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York Yankees pitcher Al Leiter retired one batter in spring training on Sunday before the two-time All-Star announced he too was retiring.

Leiter returned to the Yankees after pitching for the U.S. at the World Baseball Classic and informed manager Joe Torre of his decision just before the game against Cleveland.

Leiter asked if he could pitch until he got one out, which happened to be the first batter he faced, then walked off the mound and into retirement.

"Look, I think it comes to this: It feels good to be able to go out on your own terms," Leiter told MLB.com. "I love the game very much, but when you were a certain type of player for a few years, being a front-end starter, that's the way I think.

"That's the way I still think I can pitch, but the body tells you no and your stuff and the radar gun tell you no.

"So to be relegated to a lesser role, which is understandable and appropriate, I'm still thinking I'm like a front-end guy, so it's difficult mentally."

Leiter was drafted by the Yankees in 1984 and finished his career in a New York uniform after being acquired in a trade with the Florida Marlins in the middle of last season.

Leiter was also a member of two World Series teams with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993 and Marlins in 1997 and a two-time All-Star.

In 19 major league seasons, Leiter compiled a record of 162-163 in 419 appearances.

(Writing by Steve Keating in San Diego)