Angels Pick Up Leyritz From the Yankees

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 off 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 blast off one of baseball’s best relievers erased a 6-3 deficit in a game the Yankees eventually won, 8-6, in 10 innings. The victory pulled the Yankees even, 2-2, in a series 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, 33, who was a part-time player--and not very happy about it--for his five-year Yankee career. “There were times when I was looked at as a bad apple in clubhouse, but only because I wanted to play.”

Leyritz, who has never had more than 265 at-bats in a big-league season, hit .264 with seven homers and 40 RBIs for the Yankees in 88 games in 1996. He caught almost every game Andy Pettitte pitched and saw action at first base and third.

He’ll likely 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 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 low cost.

The Angels involved in the deal are listed as players to be named, but they are believed to be third baseman Ryan Kane, 23, who hit .258 at Class-A Cedar Rapids last season, and pitcher Jeremy Blevins, 19, who went 2-3 with a 6.60 earned run average for Class-A Boise in 1996.

Blevins was a third-round pick and Kane was a sixth-round pick in 1995, but neither is considered a top Angel prospect.

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.

“For a guy who didn’t play a ton for the Yankees, he really came through with some big post-season plays,” Angel General Manager Bill Bavasi said. “Certainly, that grabs your attention.”

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 the flame-throwing left-hander.

Bavasi said the moves don’t reflect a concerted effort to shed the Angels’ placid persona from 1996.

“We’re not looking for any laid-back guys, but to say we brought Jim and Dave in because of their attitude and approach would be short-changing their skills,” Bavasi said. “They do play hard, that’s definitely a plus, but we’re signing these guys based on how they play, not what they say.”

Leyritz, who spent 10 years in the Yankee organization, leaves with fond memories--playing for America’s most passionate fans, winning the World Series, the ticker-tape parade in Manhattan--but he’ll treasure his World Series homer the most.

“I didn’t think I could top the Seattle home run, I thought that would be the highlight of my career,” Leyritz said. “But that World Series homer topped it. Everyone thought we were dead. Everyone was turning off their T.V. sets. That’s the thing I’ll remember most . . . but it’s time to move on.”

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 next March 15. But Fielder, a La Puente Nogales High School 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 mulling 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. . . . With Thursday’s trade, the Angels have now devoted $26.82 million in payroll to 12 players next season--Mark Langston, Chuck Finley, Jim Abbott, Mark Gubicza, Troy Percival, Chuck McElroy, Tim Salmon, Gary DiSarcina, Jim Edmonds, Dave Hollins, Randy Velarde and Jim Leyritz.

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The Leyritz File Born James Joseph Leyritz on Dec. 27, 1963, in Lakewood, Ohio. Acquired Thursday by the Angels from the New York Yankees for players to be named. Has major league experience at catcher, first base, third base and in the outfield. A World Series hero for the Yankees, he batted .375 in four games against Atlanta this fall, including a three-run, score-tying home run in the eighth inning of Game 4. MAJOR LEAGUE RECORD

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Year Team G AB HR RBI BA 1990 Yankees 92 303 5 25 .257 1991 Yankees 32 77 0 4 .182 1992 Yankees 63 144 7 26 .257 1993 Yankees 95 259 14 53 .309 1994 Yankees 75 249 17 58 .265 1995 Yankees 77 264 7 37 .269 1996 Yankees 88 265 7 40 .264 Totals 522 1561 57 243 .266

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