Newark Bears hire Jim Leyritz
The Newark Bears announced on Friday that they have hired former Yankee Jim Leyritz as the team's new pitching coach.
According to the Newark Bears' website, Leyritz agreed to the deal last week.
For Leyritz, it's a job back in baseball after some serious legal issues. In November, Leyritz was acquitted of DUI manslaughter. On Dec. 28, 2007, Leyritz ran a red light and collided with another car, killing 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch.
“To me, it’s a great opportunity and it’s all about second chances in a league of second chances,” Leyritz said on the team's website. “I’m fortunate to get the chance to get back on the field. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time. I’m looking forward to getting the same break as a lot of the players in independent baseball, getting one more chance."
The Newark Bears, a team in the independent Can-Am professional league, have former Yankee and Leyritz teammate Tim Raines as their manager. Leyritz played 19 games for the Newark Bears in 2001.
Leyritz, 47, played seven full seasons with the Yankees, and parts of the 1999 and 2000 seasons in the Bronx.
Leyritz's most memorable moment as a Yankee came during Game 4 of the 1996 World Series. Leyritz's three-run home run off Mark Wohler was the turning point in the Series, which the Yankees went on to win in six games.
