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216. Sparky Lyle

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216. Sparky Lyle
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 22, 1944 in Du Bois, PA USA
  • Weight: 182 lbs.
  • Height: 6'1"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: July 04, 1967
  • Final Game: September 27, 1982
  • TSN Fireman of the Year - 1972
  • Cy Young Award - 1977
  • Cy Young - 1972
  • Cy Young - 1977
  • MVP - 1972
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1976
  • MVP - 1977
 
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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, where he retired in 1982.  Lyle left the game with 238 Saves, and he finished 634 of the 899 Games he appeared in.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Du Bois, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Friday, 01 January 1988
  • Position: Pitcher
  • Played For: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (3) (New York Yankees 1977 & 1978, Philadelphia Phillies 1980)  
    Cy Young Award (1) (AL) (1977)
    All-Star (3) (1973, 1976 & 1977)
    Most Games Pitched (1) (AL) (1977)
    Most Saves (2) (AL) (1972 & 1976)
    Most Games Finished (2) (1972 & 1977)
  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes:
    (AL: 1972, 3rd) & (AL: 1977, 6th)
    Top Ten Cy Young Finishes: Won the 1977 AL Cy Young
    (AL: 1972, 7th)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Games Pitched)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Saves)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Games Finished) 
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)
  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    14. Games Finished: 634
    27. Games Pitched: 899
    40. Saves: 238
  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    1988: 13.1%
    1989: 5.6%
    1990: 5.6%
    1991: 3.4%
  • Should be Inducted As A: New York Yankee

Should Sparky Lyle be in the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 80%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 10%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 10%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%
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