October Legends
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2013
Relief-pitcher and author who coined the phrase “Bronx Zoo” to describe the tumultuous New York Yankees clubhouses of the mid-to-late 1970s, Sparky Lyle was a key contributor to the Yankees three-consecutive American League pennant-winning clubs from 1976-1978, and back-to-back World Series winners of 1977 and 1978. This button-down white knit home Yankees jersey is the second one issued to Lyle during the 1976 season in which he led the AL with 23 saves while posting a 2.26 ERA in 103 innings pitched. Within the collar is a strip tag with “Lyle” stitched in navy blue thread. Lyle’s signature appears in bright blue sharpie under the Yankees official interlocking NY patch on the left-front. Visible under the NY is the outline of the letters TY, which had previously been removed from the jersey. The Yankees of that era were well-known to send jerseys up and down the organizational chain, and this jersey was sent to the 1978 Tacoma Yankees Triple A club. It was the sole year the Yankees highest minor league team played on the West Coast. At that time, the original interlocking NY was removed, replaced by the TY for that season, then replaced again by a newer NY logo when its duty out west was complete. This is why the NY logo appears darker shade of navy blue than the number 28 appears on the reverse, which is number 28 in is stitched onto the back of the jersey in navy blue tackle twill. On the lower front tail is the Wilson manufacturer’s size 44 wash tag. The jersey exhibits tremendous wear, including general overall wear and a stain in the collar. Comes with an LOA from game used jersey expert Dave Miedema and a full LOA from PSA/DNA, cert number T05480.