Jim Leyritz

James Joseph Leyritz
(The King, Ritz)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.
• School Middle Georgia College, University of Kentucky
• High School Turpin High School
• Debut June 8, 1990
• Final Game September 13, 2000
• Born December 27, 1963 in Lakewood, OH USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Jim Leyritz was signed as a free agent for the New York Yankees by scout Bill Livesey on August 24, 1985.

Leyritz crashed his vehicle into another car in Fort Lauderdale, FL on December 28, 2007, killing a woman. He smelled of alcohol and failed sobriety tests; he was also driving with a suspended driver's licence. He was charged with DUI manslaughter but was later acquitted of manslaughter charges; he was found guilty of misdemeanor driving under the influence, however. Debate at the trial revolved over whether Leyritz or the victim, who was also intoxicated, had run a red light prior to the collision. As the evidence was unclear, Leyritz was acquitted by a Fort Lauderdale jury on November 20, 2010.

Notable Achievements

• Won two World Series with the New York Yankees (1996 & 1999)

Further Reading

• Jim Leyritz, Douglas B. Lyons and Jeffrey Lyons: Catching Heat: The Jim Leyritz Story, HCI Books, Deerfield Beach, FL, 2011.