Leyritz originally signed with the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent in 1985 and played in New York from 1990-96. He hit a game-tying three-run homer in Game Four of the 1996 World Series when the Yankees rallied from a 6-0 deficit before winning in 10 innings and going on to their first title in 18 years.

The 38-year-old Leyritz played with Anaheim, Texas, Boston, San Diego and Los Angeles between 1997-00. He split 1999 with the Yankees and Padres and returned to New York for 24 games in 2000, batting .218 with one home run and four RBI.

Leyritz can play first base and third base as well as catcher. He has a .264 batting average with 90 homers and 387 RBI in 2,527 career games. In 2001, Leyritz batted .296 with four home runs and 15 RBI in 19 games with the Newark Bears of the Atlantic League/Indpendent. He had his contract purchased by the Padres and batted .261 with five homers and 10 RBI in 16 games with Class AAA Portland of the Pacific Coast League.