SPARKY LYLE’S BRONX ZOO, SIGNED BY HIM AND 34 OTHER YANKEES, INCLUDING YOGI BERRA, REGGIE JACKSON, BILLY MARTIN, WILLIE RANDOLPH, BUCKY DENT, LOU PINIELLA, CATFISH HUNTER, RON GUIDRY, GOOSE GOSSAGE, BOB LEMON, AND CHRIS CHAMBLISS
LYLE, Albert Walter ("Sparky"), and GOLENBOCK, Peter. Bronx Zoo. New York: Crown, (1979). Tall octavo, original black cloth, original dust jacket. $4500.
First edition of this bristling inside account of the Yankees during the Reggie Jackson-Billy Martin-George Steinbrenner years by pitcher Sparky Lyle, signed by him and 34 other players and coaches, including Yogi Berra, Reggie Jackson, Billy Martin, Willie Randolph, Bucky Dent, Lou Piniella, Catfish Hunter, Ron Guidry, Goose Gossage, Bob Lemon, And Chris Chambliss.
When Cy-Young-Award-winning Lyle was replaced in the bullpen by Goose Gossage in 1978, Graig Nettles described Sparky's year as going "from Cy Young to 'Sayonara." Amid divisive animosities and oppressive pressure, "baseball's celebrated and irreverent relief pitcher (235 career "saves") takes you inside the Yankee clubhouse as only he can. You emerge with insights into each of his teammates, and into the game of baseball in the free-agent era. Baseball will never seem the same again." Signers include Sparky Lyle, Chris Chambliss, Willie Randolph, Bucky Dent, Graig Nettles, Lou Pinella, Reggie Jackson, Mickey Rivers, Catfish Hunter, Ron Guidry, Ed Figueroa, Goose Gossage, Dick Tidrow, Brian Doyle, Billy Martin, Cliff Johnson, Ken Clay, Mickey Klutz, Roy White, Fred Stanley, Jim Beattie, Jim Spencer, Rawly Eastwick, Don Gullett, Mike Heath, Paul Blair, Jay Johnstone, Gary Thomasson, Bob Lemon, Paul Lindblad, Ron Davis, Del Alston, Yogi Berra, Gene Michael, and Clyde King. Smith 15606. With a list of signers laid in, along with two advertisements for Baseball Card & Memorabilia shows.
Interior fine, boards lightly rubbed; dust jacket with only very mild toning. A nearly fine copy.