Tuesday, March 3, 2015

#385 Jim Leyritz

About the Front: Close your mouth, Jim Leyritz. You're letting in flies.

About the Back: You don't see many "C-OF-3B" positional designations on cards.

Triple Play:

1. Leyritz was a part-time player for most of his career, but had a knack for big postseason hits. In Game Four of the 1996 World Series, his three-run homer off of Atlanta closer Mark Wohlers tied the game with one out in the eighth inning; the Yankees went on to win it in extras and knot the Series at two games apiece.

2. While playing for the Padres in 1998, Jim homered in three straight NLDS games as San Diego pushed past the Astros.

3. On December 28, 2007, Leyritz, driving on a supsended license, crashed his vehicle into another car in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The other driver was killed, and tests showed that both motorists were under the influence of alcohol. The ex-ballplayer was acquitted of manslaughter charges, as it was unclear whether he or the other driver had run a red light. But he was found guilty of misdemeanor DUI.

11-Year-Old Kevin Says: He also sparked a decisive six-run Yankee outburst in their Game Five ALCS clincher against the Orioles in 1996, causing much consternation for yours truly. If only that had been the worst thing he ever did in his life.

Bill James Said: "He was one of the best platoon players in baseball, hitting .336 with a .600 slugging percentage against lefthanders."

On This Date in 1993: March 3. American biologist Albert Sabin, developer of the oral polio vaccine, dies of heart failure at age 86.

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