Angels Acquire Catcher Leyritz and a Piece of Yankee Lore

The Angels have never appeared in a World Series, but they can now boast of having a World Series hero after Thursday’s trade that brought New York Yankee catcher-first baseman Jim Leyritz to Anaheim for two minor leaguers.

Leyritz hit a dramatic, three-run home run against Atlanta closer Mark Wohlers in the eighth inning of Game 4 that stunned the Braves and turned the 1996 World Series in the Yankees’ favor.

The full-count homer against one of baseball’s best relievers erased a 6-3 deficit in a game the Yankees won, 8-6, in 10 innings. The victory pulled the Yankees even, 2-2, in the series and they went on to win in six games.

But with the Yankees signing starting catcher Joe Girardi to a two-year, $5.5-million deal this week and owner George Steinbrenner looking to trim baseball’s highest payroll, Leyritz, who will make $1.75 million in 1997, was deemed expendable.

“The bottom line is things didn’t work out for me in New York,” said Leyritz, a part-time player--and not very happy about it--for his entire seven-year Yankee career. “There were times when I was looked at as a bad apple in the clubhouse, but [it was] only because I wanted to play.”

Leyritz, who has not had more than 303 at-bats in a big-league season, hit .264 with seven homers and 40 runs batted in for the Yankees in 88 games in 1996. He caught almost every game Andy Pettitte pitched and also played first base and third.

He probably will share catching duties in Anaheim with Jorge Fabregas and play some first base and designated hitter.

“I didn’t play much this year, but I still think I had one of the most memorable moments of my life,” Leyritz, 32, said. “When you win a World Series, you don’t remember being benched on April 19. I really like the team I’m going to, and I’m happy about the trade, but one of the nice things is I’ll always be a part of Yankee history.”

After questionable off-season deals that sent designated hitter Chili Davis to Kansas City and Gold Glove first baseman J.T. Snow to San Francisco for two marginal pitchers--the Royals’ Mark Gubicza and the Giants’ Allen Watson--Angel fans will have trouble criticizing this trade.

Though Leyritz is an average defensive catcher, at best, he has a reputation as a clutch hitter--his 15th-inning homer lifted New York past Seattle in Game 2 of the 1995 division series--an intense competitor, and a strong handler of pitchers. He also came at small cost.

The Angels involved in the deal are listed as players to be determined, but they are believed to be third baseman Ryan Kane, a 23-year-old who hit .258 at Class-A Cedar Rapids last season, and pitcher Jeremy Blevins, a 19-year-old who went 2-3 with a 6.60 earned-run average for Class-A Boise.

Leyritz’s contract called for an option year in 1998, but the Angels have renegotiated it to include a guaranteed salary of $1.8 million in 1998 and a team option for $1.9 million in 1999, which the Angels can buy out for $400,000.

Many of Bavasi’s off-season moves have been attention-grabbers. New Manager Terry Collins has a peppery, in-your-face style and is not afraid to raise his voice. Free-agent third baseman Dave Hollins, acquired Nov. 20, is a fiery competitor, and Leyritz is a tough guy who once challenged Seattle ace Randy Johnson to a fight after being beaned by him.

Angel Notes

General Manager Bill Bavasi wouldn’t comment on speculation the Angels are pursuing Yankee slugger Cecil Fielder, the $7.2-million first baseman who has demanded a trade and could become a free agent March 15. But Fielder, a Nogales High graduate, has made no secret of his desire to play in Anaheim. “That would be great,” Fielder told the New York Post. “All my family is still there.” . . . Free-agent pitcher Shawn Boskie, who went 12-11 with a 5.32 ERA for the Angels last season, is considering contract offers from the Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos. The Angels have until Saturday night to offer Boskie arbitration or risk losing negotiating rights to him until May 1.

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Leyritz at a Glance * Age: 32 * Position: catcher/infielder * Personal: married (Karri) with one son (Austin Michael) REGULAR-SEASON STATISTICS

(All with Yankees)

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Year AB R H HR RBI Avg. 1990 303 28 78 5 25 .257 1991 77 8 14 0 4 .182 1992 144 17 37 7 26 .257 1993 259 43 80 14 53 .309 1994 249 47 66 17 58 .265 1995 264 37 71 7 37 .269 1996 265 23 70 7 40 .264 Totals 1561 203 416 57 243 .266

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ANGEL CATCHERS (1995 STATISTICS)

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Players AB R H HR RBI Avg. Fabregas 254 18 73 2 26 .287 Greene 79 9 15 2 9 .190

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