NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2026 – Former New York Yankees World Series champion Jim Leyritz delivered a powerful and deeply personal message of perseverance, redemption and faith to more than 60 youths at the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, encouraging them to embrace life’s opportunities, learn from setbacks and never stop striving to become better people.
Drawing on the extraordinary highs and devastating lows of his life, Leyritz shared a story that transcended baseball. From becoming a three-time World Series champion despite never being drafted by a Major League Baseball team, to overcoming personal tragedy and rebuilding his life through faith and service to others, his message resonated throughout the Club’s Mascaro Clubhouse.
“I hit great home runs, was a World Series champion and have trophies,” Leyritz told the captivated 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 Leyritz’s willingness to candidly detail both triumph and adversity made a profound impact on the Club’s youths in attendance.
“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’s down-to-earth honesty and story of resilience and redemption left a lasting impression.
“For him to give information like that, all the adversity he went through, that’s so valuable,” said Gabriel Vidaurre, 17, an aspiring baseball player.
Dylan Alvarez, 16, said the presentation taught him “motivation. He told me how to keep on going, how to deal with setbacks.”
Leyritz urged Club members to approach each day with purpose, sharing the mission that now guides his life: “What will you do today to make yourself better, make your team better or make someone else better?” he said. “If you take that attitude, knowing every new day is an opportunity to do something good, that’ll take you really far.”
Leyritz recounted his unlikely journey to baseball stardom. Encouraged by coaches who believed in his talent, inspired by baseball legend Pete Rose’s advice to always be the first to arrive and the last to leave, and strengthened by his father’s reminder that “you answer to the man in the mirror and God,” Leyritz persevered through the minor leagues before finally earning a Yankees roster spot in 1990.
“I knew I was ready for my moment,” he said, describing how he constantly prepared for opportunities, even learning new positions to become more valuable to the Yankees. “Performing under pressure was always one of my strong points.”
He also shared one of the defining lessons he learned from legendary Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who explained why Yankees uniforms famously do not display players’ names on the back.
“You play for the team on the front, not the team on the back,” Leyritz recalled being told, describing the philosophy of selflessness that would later shape his own life.
Following a successful Major League career, Leyritz made the difficult decision to retire from baseball, leaving a $1 million contract on the table so he could care for his children after an acrimonious divorce.
But his greatest challenge came after a tragic 2007 automobile accident that followed his fateful decision to drink and drive.
Three years of legal proceedings ultimately resulted in his acquittal on driving-while-intoxicated and manslaughter charges and a conviction on a misdemeanor DUI offense. Leyritz said the emotional weight of the tragedy forever changed his life.
“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.”
That turning point led him back to his Christian faith. Encouraged by his pastor to read the Bible and Rick Warren’s “The Purpose Driven Life,” Leyritz said he discovered a renewed purpose centered on faith, personal growth and serving others.
Today, the California resident works in the title insurance industry, makes motivational appearances and begins every day with prayer.
“Do the work. Be prepared,” he encouraged the students. “You have the power to change. Don’t give up. I live every day to make myself better.”
Before addressing the youths, Leyritz toured the Club’s Remington Clubhouse, learning about its educational, summer and after-school programs. Club CEO Becky Mazzanobile highlighted the impact of the Mariano Rivera Workforce Learning and Career Center, which prepares young people for rewarding careers in fields including culinary arts, public safety, digital media and other professional pathways. Leyritz and Rivera were Yankees teammates. Youths also serenaded Leyritz with an enthusiastic “Let’s Go Yankees!” chant.
Following his presentation, Leyritz met individually with Club members, posed for photographs and participated in a dinner discussion with selected youths.
The event was generously coordinated by Gina Egan, Corresponding Secretary of the Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle Board of Directors, and her husband, Joe Egan, an avid Yankees fan and Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle supporter.
For 96 years, Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle has been an integral part of the community, offering quality, achievement-driven programming encompassing academics, mental wellness, fitness, leadership and civics. Today, it is one of Westchester County’s largest nonprofits and a leader in youth development, serving over 12,000 youths annually at 12 school sites and two clubhouses.
Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle’s impactful before-school, after-school, elective, and summer offerings empower members to excel in school, become good citizens, and lead healthy, productive lives while effectively bridging the gap between school and home. Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle is proud to be affiliated with Boys & Girls Club of America, widely considered as both the leading youth organization and among the top nonprofits in the United States. Learn more at BGCNR.org.