Lyle was the first American League reliever to capture a Cy Young Award (1977) and ranks among the all-time leaders with 238 career saves. Between 1967-1980, Lyle had more saves than anyone else in the AL (231). He had a sixteen-year career and played for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Chicago White Sox. Lyle won back-to-back World Series with the Yankees in 1977 and 1978.

Lyle has been the manager for the Somerset Patriots since the team began in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 1998.

Lyle led the Somerset Patriots to the team’s league leading fifth championship during the 2009 season, defeating the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 3-1 in the Championship Series. He won his 800th career game this past season to extend his lead as the league’s winningest manager.Under his guidance, the Somerset Patriots have won five Atlantic League Championships (2001, 2003, 2005, 2008, 2009), 11 Half Championships, and eight Division Championships.

Lyle has been named the Atlantic League Manager of the Year three times (1999, 2003, 2009) in his 12-year managing career.