Sparky Lyle---1971
When Topps released their black-
bordered cards in 1971, Sparky Lyle
was a solid reliever with the Red Sox,
but hardly a household name. He
had established himself in the Boston
bullpen in 1968 by saving 11 games
and winning another six before
posting 17 saves in 1969, 20 in 1970
and 16 in 1971. Such totals were
steady figures, but the Red Sox were
little more than also-rans during that
stretch, which necessitated some
changes, at least as far as the
Boston brass was concerned.
As a result, prior to the 1972 season,
the Red Sox proved they had not
learned their lesson some 50 years
earlier when it came to making trades
with the New York Yankees. While
that initial deal sent the Bronx
Bombers the services of Babe Ruth,
this one sent Lyle to Yankee Stadium
in exchange for first baseman Danny
Carter. Once again, the result was
Boston had made one of its worst
deals in franchise history. Lyle
proceeded to lead the American
League with 35 saves while posting a
1.91 ERA for New York in 1972.
Another 27 saves followed along with
all-star recognition in 1973, before
Lyle registered a career-low 1.66
ERA in 1974.
In fact, it is not an exaggeration to
suggest that Lyle was one of the key
components of the Bronx Zoo, which
accurately described the Yankee
clubhouse during the mid-1970s.
Sporting his signature bushy
mustache during this era, Lyle paced
the AL with 23 saves for the pennant
winners in 1976. A year later, he won
13 games and saved 26 to become
the first reliever ever to earn the Cy
Young Award. His efforts also
enabled the Yankees to win the
World Series in six games over the
Dodgers in 1977.
Lyle’s impressive run in the Bronx
began to stall in 1978 after owner
George Steinbrenner purchased the
likes of Goose Gossage and Rawly
Eastwick on the free-agent market.
Lyle became embroiled in a battle
with Steinbrenner, which led to his
being traded to Texas in a 10-player
deal that netted New York Dave
Righetti. Lyle’s signature pitch, a
sharp slider, began to dissipate
shortly thereafter, leading the left-
handed reliever to end his days in
the big leagues bouncing between
the Rangers, Phillies and White Sox
before retiring with 99 career
victories.
(9/23/08)
bordered cards in 1971, Sparky Lyle
was a solid reliever with the Red Sox,
but hardly a household name. He
had established himself in the Boston
bullpen in 1968 by saving 11 games
and winning another six before
posting 17 saves in 1969, 20 in 1970
and 16 in 1971. Such totals were
steady figures, but the Red Sox were
little more than also-rans during that
stretch, which necessitated some
changes, at least as far as the
Boston brass was concerned.
As a result, prior to the 1972 season,
the Red Sox proved they had not
learned their lesson some 50 years
earlier when it came to making trades
with the New York Yankees. While
that initial deal sent the Bronx
Bombers the services of Babe Ruth,
this one sent Lyle to Yankee Stadium
in exchange for first baseman Danny
Carter. Once again, the result was
Boston had made one of its worst
deals in franchise history. Lyle
proceeded to lead the American
League with 35 saves while posting a
1.91 ERA for New York in 1972.
Another 27 saves followed along with
all-star recognition in 1973, before
Lyle registered a career-low 1.66
ERA in 1974.
In fact, it is not an exaggeration to
suggest that Lyle was one of the key
components of the Bronx Zoo, which
accurately described the Yankee
clubhouse during the mid-1970s.
Sporting his signature bushy
mustache during this era, Lyle paced
the AL with 23 saves for the pennant
winners in 1976. A year later, he won
13 games and saved 26 to become
the first reliever ever to earn the Cy
Young Award. His efforts also
enabled the Yankees to win the
World Series in six games over the
Dodgers in 1977.
Lyle’s impressive run in the Bronx
began to stall in 1978 after owner
George Steinbrenner purchased the
likes of Goose Gossage and Rawly
Eastwick on the free-agent market.
Lyle became embroiled in a battle
with Steinbrenner, which led to his
being traded to Texas in a 10-player
deal that netted New York Dave
Righetti. Lyle’s signature pitch, a
sharp slider, began to dissipate
shortly thereafter, leading the left-
handed reliever to end his days in
the big leagues bouncing between
the Rangers, Phillies and White Sox
before retiring with 99 career
victories.
(9/23/08)
