On this weeks podcast – August 5, 1979, Willie Mays is inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Mays slugged 660 homers, batted .302, and collected 3,283 hits in his 22-year career. Known for his all-around play, Mays won 12 Gold Glove Awards for his defense in center field. Former…
Sparky Lyle Position: PitcherBats: Left • Throws: Left6-1, 182lb (185cm, 82kg)Born: July 22, 1944 in Du Bois, PAHigh School: Reynoldsville-Sykesville HS (Reynoldsville-Sykesville, PA)Debut: July 4, 1967 (12,605th in major league history)vs. CAL 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 SO, 1 BB, 0 ERLast Game: September 27, 1982vs. SEA 1.2 IP, 2 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 0 ERFull Name: Albert Walter LyleNicknames: Sparky or The CountView Player Info from the B-R BullpenView Player Bio from…
John Franco establishes the major league record for the most saves in the month when he records the final two outs in Cincinnati’s 2-0 victory over San Diego at Jack Murphy Stadium. The Reds’ reliever, who retires future Hall of Famers Roberto Alomar and Tony Gwynn to record his 13th save in June, betters the mark he had shared with Sparky Lyle, Bruce Sutter, and Bob Stanley.
On April 13, 1985, future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers breaks the record for most saves in American League history. The Milwaukee Brewers’ relief ace notches his 217th save in the AL, surpassing the mark established by former Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees reliever Sparky Lyle.
The Yankees trade southpaws Sparky Lyle, the 1977 Cy Young Award recipient, and Dave Rajsich along with righty Larry McCall, infielder Domingo Ramos, catcher Mike Heath, and $400,000 to the Rangers for lefties Dave Righetti and Paul Mirabella, right-hander Mike Griffin, and outfielder Juan Beniquez. The deal makes Yankee teammate Graig Nettles’s in-season quip that the closer had gone “from Cy Young to sayonara” a reality.
On June 27, 1978 New York’s Graig Nettles belts a two-run homer in the 14th to give the Yankees a 6 – 4 win over the Red Sox. Dick Drago serves up Nettles’ 13th homer of the year. Sparky Lyle (6-1) wins in relief. Ron Guidry (13-0) starts for New York and gives up eight hits in six innings.
Major League Season Recap 1977 World Series – New York Yankees AL over Los Angeles Dodgers NL 4 games to 2 World Series MVP – Reggie Jackson Babe Ruth Award – Reggie Jackson ALCS New York Yankees over Kansas City Royals 3 games to 2 ALCS MVP – NLCS Los Angeles Dodgers over Philadelphia Phillies 3 games to 1 NLCS…
The New York Yankees sign free agent relief pitcher Rich Gossage to a six-year $2.75 million contract. Gossage had 26 saves and a 1.26 ERA for the Pirates last season. He will join Cy Young Award winner Sparky Lyle in the Yankees bullpen.
1977 – Sparky Lyle of the New York Yankees becomes the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the league with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.
On October 9, 1977, the New York Yankees scored three runs in the ninth inning to stun the Kansas City Royals, 5-3 . . . the Royals up 3-2 were on the cusp of their first World Series appearance. Staff ace, Dennis Leonard comes in to try to close out the victory. Leonard allows the…