He never reached any 3,000-hit milestone, 3,000 hits to his reputation, perhaps. But Jim Leyritz, all the way back in the Yankees family at last, knows he has more in common with Alex Rodriguez than the No. 13 on their pinstriped backs.
“I understand what the word redemption is,” Leyritz said, on his field of dreams for the first time in eight years on a day that lately has been Cold-Timers’ Day for him but was Old-Timers’ Day again at last.
“I was humbled during the accident, and I think Alex was humbled by his suspension. I haven’t had a chance to see or talk to him, but I can tell you this much: if he was as humbled as I was, you get a new start.