On This Date in 1996

Jim Leyritz smacked the first of three Yankee home runs (Daryl Strawberry and Cecil Fielder had the others) in the 3rd inning as New York wrapped up its first American League pennant in 15 years. The 6 - 4 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards advances them to the World Series against the Atlanta Braves -- where Leyritz would contribute a crucial home run in game four.
I interviewed Jim in 2011 when he published his memoir Catching Heat.

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