BASEBALL / DAILY REPORT : ANGELS : Leiter Expresses Heartfelt Gratitude

When starter Mark Leiter is introduced today at the Angels’ home opener, standing along the third base line with the rest of his teammates, he would like everyone in Anaheim Stadium to realize his sincere gratitude.

Leiter joined the Angels only three weeks ago, but he and his wife, Allison, have been overwhelmed by the compassion and affection of the Angel organization and its fans.

“I can not say enough for what they’ve done for me and my family,” Leiter said. “It was like they had known me all my life.”

Ryan Alexander Leiter, 9 months old, died Monday in Anaheim just two hours after his father boarded the team charter for Minneapolis. Tim Mead, assistant general manager, immediately left his office and stayed with Allison and three-year-old Mark Jr. until Leiter arrived past midnight.

The Angels paid for Leiter’s flight back to Anaheim. They told him he could take as much time off as he needed. When he decided to make his scheduled start Saturday, the Angels picked up the expenses for Allison and Mark Jr. to accompany him to Milwaukee.

“This organization has been so great to us,” Allison Leiter said. “It’s been unbelievable the way they’ve welcomed us. Everybody has treated this with the respect and tenderness it deserves. It’s hard to thank everyone individually, but please, extend our gratitude to everyone.”

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Angel left fielder Bo Jackson was the self-appointed fashion security guard Sunday, making sure that no one left the clubhouse until everyone’s ties had proper knots. “Come on, some of you guys are looking like sportswriters,” he yelled. . . . Wayne Gretzky will throw out the first pitch today at the home opener. They’re expecting a crowd in excess of 30,000. . . . John Farrell yielded only two hits while pitching six shutout innings Saturday against Salt Lake City in triple-A Vancouver’s 2-1 victory.