Andrew Miller notched his first save in Pinstripes, against the Toronto Blue Jays. It was only the third career save for Miller but could be the first of many in his New York Yankees career. New York has boasted some solid lefty relievers of recent vintage, Boone Logan, Damaso Marte, Mike Stanton, to name a few. Although it has been quite some time since a southpaw has closed for the Yanks, they do have history there as well.
Dave Righetti – Rags won 1981 AL Rookie of the Year as a starter for the Yankees. Though he collected his first save in 1982 and hurled a no-hitter in 1983, Righetti became the full time closer in 1984. In that role from 1984 to 1990, Righetti was a two-time All-Star (1986 and 1987) and led the AL in saves with 46 in 1986. Rags saved 224 games for the Yanks and ranks second in club history.
Sparky Lyle – Third baseman Craig Nettles once quipped, Lyle went from “Cy Young to sayonara,” after the club acquired Rich “Goose” Gossage. Yet, in 1972, New York essentially stole Lyle from Boston, trading Danny Cater to obtain him. All Lyle did was win the AL Cy Young in 1977, helping the Yanks to titles in 1977 and 1978. Lyle was a three-time All-Star (1973, 1976, 1977) with New York. In 1972 and 1976, Sparky led the AL in saves and in 1977, paced the junior circuit in games pitched. Sparky ranks fourth in franchise history, garnering 141 saves.
Luis Arroyo – The 1961 season was special and Arroyo forged an exceptional campaign out of the pen. Arroyo was an AL All-Star in ’61, winning 15 games, while saving a league best 29. Though maybe not a traditional closer in the sense of the era, Arroyo pitched to a 2.19 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .199 batting average. Arroyo ranks 12th in franchise history, notching 43 saves.
Steve Hamilton – Best known for his “Folly Floater,” Hamilton recorded 36 saves in total for the Yanks, from 1963-1970, ranking him 18th in club history.
Steve Howe – When Righetti departed for the left coast, Howe became the Yanks primary lefty in the pen, from 1991 to 1996. Howe and his 31 saves are ranked tied for 20th in club history. With the Yankees rolling in 1994, Howe channeled his Rookie of the Year season, leading the squad with 15 saves, along with posting a 1.80 ERA.
Lee Guetterman – During an otherwise unforgettable 1989 season, Guetterman made 13 stops. From 1988 to 1991, Guetterman made 21 saves, tying him for 30th in team history.
Mike Stanton – A vital part of the Yanks bullpen from 1997 to 2002, rejoining the club briefly in 2005, Stanton registered 15 saves, tying him for 38th in club history. Stanton helped the Yankees to World Series titles in 1998, 1999 and 2000 and was an AL All-Star in 2001. The workhorse Stanton, appeared in more than 70 games, three times and more than 60 games, six times with the Yankees.
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