Jim Leyritz hits his shocking, Series-altering,
3-run home run in Game 4 of the 1996 World Series.
Jim Leyritz's "Key" Hit
After almost two decades without an appearance in
the World Series, the 1996 Yankees, led by first
year manager Joe Torre and rookie Derek Jeter, faced
the always good Atlanta Braves. Game #s 1 and 2
were at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees got blown
out of both games. It looked like the Series would
be a rout for the Braves. The Yankees took game
#3, but fell behind game #4, 6-0.
The Series clearly appeared to be in Atlanta's favor
until Jim Leyritz stepped up to the plate and ignited
a new era in New York Yankee baseball. Amazingly,
Leyritz was sure that he wasn't going to play and
spent much of the game working out in the weight
room. A startled Leyritz finally entered the game
as a defensive replacement for Joe Girardi in the
sixth inning after New York had cut the deficit
to 6-3. Braves Closer Mark Wohlers was given the
call in the eighth by Bobby Cox to finish the job.
After two runners reached base, Leyritz stepped
into the box and worked the count to 2-2, fouling
off two blistering fastballs in the process. The
next swing sent a hanging slider over the wall for
a 3-run homer and a Series-tying triumph. The Yankees
went on to win the Series.
Most baseball analysts believe that single at-bat
was the key hit of the Series if not the turning
point of the franchise.
Here’s the actual “Key To The City”, presented to
Leyritz by New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani following
the championship celebration back in New York. The
gold colored key is modeled on the one made in 1812
for the door of City Hall in New York. It has the
New York City logo inlaid on the left. Across the
body is embossed "Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani." I
love the poetry of this piece: The Key to the City
once given to the guy who got the keyest of all
hits, Jim Leyritz.
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