A crafty left-hander with a sharp wit, Sparky Lyle was the first relief pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in the American League. He paced the AL in saves twice and helped the Yankees to three pennants and two World Series titles. He left the Bronx on bad terms after the Yanks signed relief aces Goose Gossage and Rawley Eastwick, and vented his frustration through his controversial tell-all book, The Bronx Zoo.
Teams Sparky Lyle Played For
Boston Red Sox (1967-1971) New York Yankees (1972-1978) Texas Rangers (1979-1980) Philadelphia Phillies (1980-1982) Chicago White Sox (1982)
Where does Sparky Lyle rank among baseball greats?
Sparky Lyle ranks #12 among the Top 50 all-time at RP. Rankings ⇒
Born Albert Walter Lyle was born on July 22, 1944, in DuBois, PA.
Post-Season Appearances
1976 American League Championship Series
1976 World Series
1977 American League Championship Series
1977 World Series
1978 American League Championship Series
1981 National League Division Playoffs
Awards and Honors
1977 AL Cy Young
Notes When Lyle would enter games for the Yankees, the sound system in Yankee Stadium would blare "Pomp and Circumstance."
