Manufacturer: Topps
Set: 1969 Topps Baseball ➡️
Player Name: Sparky Lyle
Position/Team: Pitcher for Red Sox
Card #: 311
Card Size: 2-1/2” x 3-1/2”
Card Values: See Pricing Table Below
Albert Walter “Sparky” Lyle was a prominent left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball, known for his unique personality and his dominant slider. His career spanned 16 seasons, from 1967 to 1982.
Lyle played for the Boston Red Sox (1967–1971), New York Yankees (1972–1978), Texas Rangers (1979–1980), Philadelphia Phillies (1980–1982), and Chicago White Sox (1982).
In 1977, pitching for the New York Yankees, he had a remarkable year, posting a 13-5 record with a 2.17 ERA and 26 saves in 72 appearances over 137 innings. For his outstanding performance, he became the first American League relief pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. He was a crucial part of the New York Yankees teams that won back-to-back World Series championships in 1977 and 1978. Lyle was also a three-time American League All-Star (1973, 1976, and 1977).
Lyle’s signature pitch was a superb slider, which he credited Ted Williams with helping him develop. He also utilized a great fastball and a very impressive curveball.
Lyle co-authored the best-selling book The Bronx Zoo (1979) with Peter Golenbock, which chronicled the colorful and often tumultuous dynamics within the New York Yankees during their World Series championship seasons.
After his playing career, Lyle went on to a successful managerial career in independent baseball, leading the Somerset Patriots to multiple Atlantic League championships.
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Pricing Data For This Rookie Card
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