As a young Yankee fan in 1979, I was confused and heartbroken when
my older cousin Tony told me that one of my favorite Yanks, Sparky Lyle,
was traded to the Texas Rangers.
What made it more confusing was tearing open Topps packs a couple months later to see Lyle STILL donning the pinstripes.
So here is an "updated" 1979 traded card for the former all-star reliever, showing him on his proper team:
Really the best usable image I could find of him in Texas garb believe it or not.
Traded in November of 1978 to Texas, it would be the trade that got
the Yankees Dave Righetti, though he wasn't the main cog in the massive
10-player transaction that also included Juan Beniquez, Mike Heath and
Domino Ramos, among others.
What a great career Lyle put up: 899 lifetime appearances, ALL in
relief, a Cy Young Award in 1977 when he went 13-5 with a 2.17 ERA and
26 saves over 72 games, two top-10 MVP finishes in 1972 and 1977, three
all-star nods, and two championships as part
of the famous "Bronx Zoo" Yankee teams of the late-70's.
A character among characters, funny enough he is currently involved
with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League not 10 minutes from
my home. And he's still the life of the
party!
