One of the most recognized Relief Pitchers of the 1970s is Sparky Lyle, who first debuted in the Majors with the Boston Red Sox in 1967. Lyle became Boston's closer in 1969, putting forth three straight 15 Save years, but he was deemed expendable, and the Red Sox traded him to the New York Yankees, who, as history would show, gave up nothing in return for him.
Lyle blossomed in New York, setting a then American League record 35 Saves and finishing third for the MVP, and raising the bar for closers. Lyle was an All-Star three times in the 70s, was a crucial part of New York's back-to-back World Series titles (1977 & 1978), and won the Cy Young in 1977.
Following the '78 World Series win, Lyle was traded to the Texas Rangers, but his skills were no longer there. He bounced around to Philadelphia and the Chicago White Sox before retiring in 1982. Lyle left the game with 238 Saves, and he finished 634 of the 899 Games he appeared in.
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