Jim Leyritz's DUI Marks A Sobering End To 2007

Batting Around is BC Sports' look back at the week's happenings in the world o' sports, presented in a lineup card format for some undisclosed reason.

The Lineup Card

1. C Jim Leyritz
2. RB Kevin Faulk
3. PG Brandon Roy
4. LW Alexander Ovechkin
5. OT Jonathan Ogden
6. WR Randy Moss
7. MF Phil O'Donnell
8. QB Brandon Cox
9. SP Mark Prior
Coach: Eddie Sutton

1. C Jim Leyritz — Eleven years ago, Jim Leyritz hit a timely 3-run home run in the eighth inning Game 4 of the 1996 World Series. When a man goes through his entire life known as the guy who had one shining moment in a sports event, he lives a pretty good life. Unfortunately, Leyritz didn't do that.

Last week he reportedly drove home from his birthday party drunk, hitting a car driven by 30-year-old Fredia Ann Veitch, a mother of two. Veitch was pronounced dead.

What is there to say at this point? A family of four no longer has a mother. Leyritz, himself with three children, faces 15 years in prison if convicted of DUI manslaughter.

I've always loved driving at night. There's less traffic, fewer functioning traffic lights — the trip goes easier. Rarely do I think there are people out there operating vehicles who shouldn't be. And not just intoxicated people, but also people who are extremely tired. This accident happened well after 3 a.m., which is sometimes right around the time I have a weekend Steak 'n Shake jones. It's just a quarter-mile drive from home. Certainly nothing bad could happen between there and home, right?

Okay, sorry for the somber moment there. Pee-pee jokes to ensue.

2. RB Kevin Faulk — Sure, look to Tom Brady, Randy Moss, or Wes Welker and find one of the big reasons the New England Patriots went 16-0 in the regular season. Or credit the offensive line. Just be sure to include Kevin Faulk in there.

You might know Kevin Faulk better by his full name, "Kevin Faulk still plays for the New England Patriots?" Not only does he still play, he and Tom Brady are the team's offensive captains.

Article Author: Matthew T. Sussman

Sussman is the sports editor of BC Magazine and the executive editor of Technorati. He also writes for Deadspin and Toledo Free Press. He and Tuffy can be heard hosting the Treehouse Fort, Sundays at 12 noon ET. Plus, he Twitters. …

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