As you walk through the retro style Commerce Bank Park, a minor league stadium with all of the fan friendly bells and whistles of Camden Yards, it’s hard not to notice all of the awards and accomplishments adorning the walls in the corridors. This is the home of the Somerset Patriots, the defending champions of the Atlantic League. Since their inception in 1999 they have won two league championships and have become a marquee attraction in Somerset County, as tonight’s attendance is not only a typical sellout but a league single game record of 8,048. The constant in their success is the only manager they’ve ever known, former Yankee and Red Sox pitcher Sparky Lyle.

Probably best known for the dominance he displayed in over twelve seasons of relief for Yankees and Red Sox, Lyle took this job without ever having managed at any level. The result? In six seasons, he is the winningest manager in the league’s history, leading the Patriots to championships in 2001and 2003, as well being honored as the Manager of the Year in two different seasons.

Lyle is more than just a manager here. He functions in a paternal capacity not just in the dugout but in the community. He mentioned that "The guys interact with the fans. It’s a family thing." When back in the dugout, he takes an interest in not just the team’s success, but also in player development that has lead to placement for many players in AAA Major League affiliates. Many players are in this league because there’s not enough room on AA or AAA rosters. Lyle thinks his players can compete against AA or AAA teams. Sometimes his players are better than their counterparts in AAA. He said some players "go to AAA, come back and say that the pitching wasn’t near as good in AAA as it is here."

As it relates to the Patriots, he says the key to repeating as champs is pitching consistency. "We can’t pitch (get) behind hitters in this league. The hitters are too good." Sparky said it’s something they’re working on. He also emphasized the importance of re-tooling to keep the scouts coming around to see his players.

Lyle seems to get the most, and the best out of his players. As he put it, "I try to not put my players in a position to do something that I know they can’t do. I try and get to know my players and what they can and can not do. I think that’s how I get the best out of them." His concept of what it takes to be successful has everything to do with the "team".

Lyle sees the success of a "team where somebody different wins the game every night." He told us that the proof is in the results. "The years that we played well and won championships – that’s exactly what happened," he said.

For a guy who never managed before, he seems to have a handle on most of these things indeed. He credits his manager from his Yankees days, Ralph Houk. An "astute baseball guy" is how Lyle describes him. He also praised his Red Sox manager Dick Williams, which he said you played "out of respect for him".

Today, he looks to infielder Jeff Nettles (son of Yankee Great Graig Nettles) and Edgard Clemente (nephew of Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente) to continue their success at the plate as the team looks towards the stretch run.

Sparky still looks just as fondly on his playing days. Pride is all over the carpet in his office by now. Talking about the Yankee team that was swept in 1976 by the Reds in the World Series he said, "We went through so much that year, just getting there, (Chris) Chambliss hitting the walk off home run to get us into the World Series, and all of the sudden the World Series is over before we even know it. We wanted to be back in there. In fact we really wanted to play the Reds again to show we really could play with those guys."

Speaking of the 1977 World Championship teamm Lyle said, "I thought that was one of the best teams we ever had. In ’78 nobody thought we would come back but to be with that team for those three years and to be there from 1972 and to accomplish what we accomplished makes me very proud to be a part of all that." Because of Sparky Lyle that same pride in the Patriots’ locker room, on their field, and with their fans.