Remember the sizzling, scintillating summer of 1977 when Billy Martin’s Yankees stormed past the Red Sox and went on to capture their first World Championship in 15 years by beating the Dodgers in six games as Reggie Jackson blasted three home runs in the grand finale?
In this series, The Post takes you back 30 years to one of the greatest seasons in Yankee history.
SEPTEMBER 27, 1977
YANKEES 4, CLEVELAND 2
A double magnum of champagne, a bottle as big as Mickey Rivers sat waiting in Sparky Lyle’s locker yesterday for the arrival of the lefthanded pitcher.
George Steinbrenner had sent it down to Lyle in honor of the relief pitcher’s 200th career save in Toronto Sunday in the second game of the twin-shutout doubleheader.
“I didn’t even know the game was historic,” said Lyle. “I threw the ball away.”
Lyle celebrated the occasion of the gift last night with another save, career No. 201, and another thrown away baseball after he saved Mike Torrez’ 17th win, 4-2, over the Cleveland Indians.
Lyle pitched three scoreless innings, allowed one walk and one double and set down the final five Indians without a war whoop or a hard-hit ball.
“I want to keep pitching even after we clinch it,” Lyle said. “If I don’t pitch I get too strong and try to muscle the ball.”
The Yankees didn’t show much muscle in beating Cleveland last night. They hit 10 singles and used a hit batter (Dave Kingman), a walk with the bases loaded, a stolen base and a soft single as their key offensive weapons in winning their fourth game in a row.