Comments on: Card Corner: Sparky Lyle

By: The Mick536

The Mick536 — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 02:16:43 +0000

[7] Not saying that Sparky didn’t keep the diary or provided the data, which is more than I can say about another of my favorite baseball books allegedly written by Babe Ruth which Ford Frick penned. I just imagine that there was more to his story than was told in the book. So it ain’t Brosnan or Bouton. I apologize.

Let’s put the story together Most bizarre year of Yankee history. Only playoff. How many games behind? The year before they win their first Championship in how long, led by Sparky, not to mention Reggie. Then, they bring in a new stopper after their regular one wins a Cy Young. Reggie and Sparky don’t get along, eh. Sparky gets along with Billie, but not George. Sparky doesn’t pitch the last week of September or in Boston (what was that about?). He appears once in the playoffs in a mop up role. Then, he doesn’t pitch in the Series.

I am just saying to you gurus of the game, tell me more.

By: Raf

Raf — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 01:12:50 +0000

[8] ISBN 0-553-05750-2, “The Year I Owned the Yankees: A Baseball Fantasy” (with David Fisher) (1990, Bantam Books)

By: Jon DeRosa

Jon DeRosa — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:29:56 +0000

[7] “the year i owned the yankees” or something like that. i read it around 13 and liked it a lot.

steinbrenner is suspended, the commish picks lyle to stand in for him for s year for some reason. they have to battle boston down the stretch, dodgers in the series. a female computer expert helps him guide the team to great success, but betrays him in the series because she was really a dodgers fan. they find out just in time and win the last one w/o the computer.

one funny bit that stuck with me was that boggs was injured in the deciding game of the regular season, but tried to play anyway. lyle says something like, “boggs had no business being out there. couldn’t even hold the bat. really pathetic. we held him to 2 for 3 with a walk.”

By: Bruce Markusen

Bruce Markusen — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:17:13 +0000

Love the 78s too. An excellent set.

Mick, I think Lyle had big input into that book, in terms of storytelling. I’m sure that Golenbock did a lot of the writing and polishing, but I wouldn’t underestimate Lyle’s influence.

Sparky also did a fictional book years later, but I have not read it. Perhaps someone can provide some insight into that one.

By: Jon DeRosa

Jon DeRosa — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 18:47:53 +0000

I have the ToppsYankee team set from every year of my life, and most of my older brother’s as well, and by far the best year is 1978 – icluding the best card ever, 1978 reggie.

There are other good ones, but the 1978 set deserves it’s own album.

By: Evil Empire

Evil Empire — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:35:53 +0000

That was utterly fantastic. I’ve always loved the way this card looks too. Thanks so much for doing this one. BTW Gossage’s 1978 topps card is insane looking as he’s wearing a pirates uniform and clearly pitching in Three Rivers, yet Topps did the airbrush routine on him.

By: monkeypants

monkeypants — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:22:21 +0000

A superficial comparison between Lyle and Gossage (which I did year or so ago) suggests that career-wise they are a lot closer than one would think. yet never any HoF buzz for Lyle.

I wonder what the more advanced metrics say. In any case, he was a heckuva reliever in his day.

By: Alex Belth

Alex Belth — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:14:18 +0000

Great card, from my favorite year for Topps cards.

By: The Mick536

The Mick536 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:12:17 +0000

Sorry. But I couldn’t resist after a look at retrosheet. Check out the coaching staff in 1978. The Fowler, for Billy, Gene Michael, Yogi, Ellie, and Clyde King. Jim Lemon was no slouch either, eh.

Wow. What a year. And the Boston Massacre, too.

By: The Mick536

The Mick536 — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 17:06:24 +0000

That’s all? More. More. Come on, Bruce. Please. I mean 13-5 and a Cy Young.

I thought he asked for a trade because he wanted more money and Georgie wouldn’t give it to him. Despite the hostility, he played his heart out.

The book is a must for all Yankee fans. It documents the greatest season in Yankee history. A terrific team. Managerial change. Look at that roster. Hall of Famers. Bucky Dent.

Sadly, Sparky didn’t write it, I’d say. Peter Golenbock did. It viciously attacks Georgie and is not kind to Reggie, which could account for why Sparky never got a job in the bigs. It is also far too accomadating to Billy. But it be funny and you left out some of the best pranks.

How about baseball lines? We love. It ain’t over…. Right! Nettles on Sparky, “from Cy Young to Sayonara.”