Sparky Lyle

Albert Walter "Sparky" Lyle was a left handed relief pitcher. He was considered the premier closing pitcher for the Yankees and helped them to 3 pennants and 2 World Series championships. In 1977 he became the first AL reliever to win the Cy Young Award. He entered the mound to the strains of "Pomp and Circumstance" as played by the organ at Yankee Stadium. He also chronicled the story of the 1978 championship season in the book, The Bronx Zoo. He was released by the Yankees after they signed Goose Gossage and went on to play for the Phillies and the White Sox.

In 1998, he became the manager of the Somerset Patriots, a minor league team based in Bridgewater, New Jersey. He managed the team to Atlantic League pennants in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2009. He remains the only manager in club history.