Great Scott, the Red Sox lose their Spark

Sparky Lyle during his time with the Boston Red Sox

After trading away power-hitting George Scott in the fall of 1971, the Boston Red Sox feel compelled 52 years ago today to find their next first baseman and call the New York Yankees, who offer them journeyman Danny Cater.

Danny Cater with the Yankees

The Red Sox say sure and, oh, what may we give you in return?

The Yankees ask for a relief pitcher, so the Red Sox give them their closer, Sparky Lyle.

While in New York, Lyle continues to emerge as one of the game's best relievers during his seven seasons with the Yankees – a stay that includes 141 saves, three All-Star selections, three trips to the World Series and a Cy Young Award in 1977.

As for Cater, he spends three injury-marred seasons in Boston before ending his career in 1975 with St. Louis.

By then, the oft-unforgiving Boston fans are just fine with seeing Cater move on.

“The way the fans greeted me, you’d think I traded Lyle to the Yankees,” Cater tells The Sporting News in 1972. “It’s not that I’m not trying as hard as the next guy. It’s the way it looks to the fans.”