This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/23/2019
Jim Leyritz made a habit of hitting clutch home runs throughout his career -- most as a member of the Yankees -- and his post-season heroics will forever endear him in the Bronx. The longtime utility player's first big playoff moment came in the 1995 ALDS against the Mariners. In the bottom of the 15th inning of Game 2, with the score nodded at five, Leyritz took Tim Belcher deep over the wall in right, igniting the fans at Yankee Stadium into a frenzy. Pretty amazing since he started the game at catcher and spent all 15 innings behind the dish. The walk-off, 2-run shot was his only hit of the game and gave New York a 2-0 series lead, but Seattle would win the next three to advance.
Presented here is the same bat Leyritz swung to hit this memorable game-winning homer. The Rawlings Adirondack Big Stick bat (35", 33 oz.) with a black finish remains un-cracked and shows outstanding use throughout (see posted Taube LOA for details) with a light coat of pine tar on the handle. Stamped on the knob is the year ("95"), model number ("155A") and two digits ("-56") of the order number. Leyritz has brilliantly notated the barrel in silver marker: "Oct. 4, 1995 GW HR Game 2 15 inns. Wild Card Playoff (Tim Belcher) Yankees Mariners." The bat comes with an LOA signed by Leyritz himself attesting to it being the same walk-off HR bat. Additional LOA from John Taube of PSA/DNA grading it a perfect GU 10.