On a day Howard Megdal raises the very strong probability of Kevin Burkhardt leaving SNY for the full time employ of Fox Sports, SNY might take a long look at the progress of another broadcasting hopeful, namely troubled ex-Yankee Jim Leyritz (above). Tapped to host a sports yack program for Southern California’s KLAA — property of Angels owner Artie Moreno — Leyritz’ hire seems curious to the LA Times’ Mike Di Giovanni given the Angels, “lost promising young pitcher Nick Adenhart to a drunk-driving accident in 2009.”
“(Leyritz’ DUI manslaughter acquittal) was in the past—he’s dealt with it, he’s open about it, and I’ll leave it at that,” KLAA program director Bob Agnew said. “We hired Jim based on his broadcast and baseball experience. He had an issue he has not hidden from. It’s not something to go backwards on. He has to live with what’s happened in the past.”
Leyritz, who retired after the 2000 season, previously co-hosted a show on MLB Network Radio and was a regular contributor to the “Michael Kay Show” on the New York City ESPN radio affiliate.
In his new position, Leyritz will team with KLAA’s Jason Brennan on a two-hour show called “Inside the Game.” It will air Monday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m., beginning Jan. 6, and will cover all Southern California sports.
“After 10 years of radio and TV on the East Coast, I am excited to become part of Angels Radio AM 830,” Leyritz said in a press release. “Moving to Southern California three years ago, this is the opportunity I’ve been waiting for. I hope to bring special insights and interviews with important figures from inside and outside the world of sports.”
Congrats to anyone who wagered Leyritz would have a radio gig lined up for 2014 and Dino Costa wouldn’t.