[boop]

I remember there was some "controversy" about relievers. In Sparky Lyle's autobiography he talked about hating to be the "set up man".

Never understood why he didn't like it.

[Alberta's Child]

I read an article a couple of years ago in which the author suggested that the “closer” in modern baseball is used entirely incorrectly. This guy’s point was that bringing in your best short reliever to pitch the last inning of a game where your team has a lead is a waste of his talent. That pitcher would be better suited to close out a late (7th or 8th) inning with runners on base in scoring position, rather than coming in to start an inning with nobody on base.

[jttpwalsh]

“Sparky” was the main man, or closer, in 1977, for The Yankees. He was so good, he won the Cy Young Award, a rare feat for a bullpen pitcher, in those days.

During the off season, The Yanks signed “Goose” Gossage, and Sparky was relegated to the role of second fiddle. in ‘78.

Graig Nettles (3b NYY) is supposed to have commented “Sparky, Cy Young, to syonara”.

That may explain his feelings ;) Thanks.