Yankees World Series Hero Jim Leyritz Inspires Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Youths

NEW ROCHELLE, NY — They say to never meet your heroes, but for some New Rochelle youths, this brush with greatness was a blessing.

Former New York Yankees player Jim Leyritz visited the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle on Tuesday and spoke to more than 60 young people about perseverance, faith, and learning from mistakes. The event was held at the Club's Mascaro Clubhouse, where Leyritz shared details from his baseball career and his personal life.

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Leyritz described a path that included becoming a three-time World Series champion after going undrafted by a Major League Baseball team, then facing personal tragedy years later.

"I hit great home runs, was a World Series champion and have trophies," Leyritz told the audience. "They don't mean anything. The life I live now is greater than any home run I ever hit."

William Iannuzzi, chief program officer of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, said the talk connected with the youths because it focused on character as much as achievement.

"Jim's message was incredibly inspiring because it showed our young people that success is not defined by championships or fame, but by character, resilience and the courage to learn from life's mistakes," Iannuzzi said. "His honesty, humility and unwavering faith demonstrated that every setback can become an opportunity for growth. Our members saw firsthand that no matter where life takes you, you always have the power to make positive choices, persevere through adversity and become a better person."

Leyritz told the group that preparation and selflessness shaped his baseball career. Recalling a lesson he said came from George Steinbrenner about Yankees uniforms, Leyritz said, "You play for the team on the front, not the team on the back." He also described how he prepared for chances by learning new positions and staying ready. "I knew I was ready for my moment," he explained.

He also spoke about the 2007 automobile accident that followed, he said, his decision to drink and drive.

According to the event account, three years of legal proceedings ended with his acquittal on driving-while-intoxicated and manslaughter charges and a conviction on a misdemeanor DUI offense.

"One bad choice," he told the youths. "Had I not been drinking, there would have been no question about who caused the accident. I had to do something to change my life."

Club members said the presentation stayed with them. "For him to give information like that, all the adversity he went through, that's so valuable," said Gabriel Vidaurre, 17. Dylan Alvarez, 16, said the talk taught him "motivation. He told me how to keep on going, how to deal with setbacks."

Before the presentation, Leyritz toured the Club's Remington Clubhouse and learned about its educational, summer, and after-school programs. Afterward, he met with members, posed for photos ,and joined a dinner discussion with selected youths.