 Leister also was drafted and was briefly a member of the Michigan Panthers of the United States Football League (USFL), but left the team to play professional baseball with the Red Sox.He played five seasons in the minor leagues for Winter Haven (1984), New Britain (1985), Pawtucket (1987, 1988–1990), and two for the Red Sox (1987, 1990).In a two-season major league career, Leister posted a 0-2 record with 19 strikeouts and an 8.50 earned run average in 36.0 innings of work.