1971 Profile: Jim Lyttle

"In his first start last year, Jimmy Lyttle struck out four times. In his second appearance, the 24-year-old outfielder hit a grand-slam home run. He went on to hit .310 in 126 at-bats. Jim credited his good hitting to former Yankee star Phil Rizzuto, who now broadcasts Yankee games. Rizzuto helped him adjust his grip on the bat so he could more freely. In 1969 Lyttle, a left-handed hitter, had his first opportunity to stick with the Yankees but had an unimpressive .181 batting average. He was shipped back to Syracuse, where he hit .313.
The six-foot, 175-pounder can throw, run and field with skill. Jimmy was the Yankees' number one selection in the 1966 free agent draft. He can play all outfield positions."

-Brenda Zanger and Dick Kaplan, Major League Baseball 1971

"A tremendous spring training a year ago literally won for Jim Lyttle a spot on the Yankee 25-man roster. Most of his appearances during the first few months were as a defensive replacement, as a pinch hitter and as a pinch runner. Toward the latter half of the season, Jim got a shot in right field and made the most of his opportunity.
The lean left-hand batter hit at a .310 clip in 87 games and provided the Yankees with one of several pleasant surprises in 1970. Not that the Yankees didn't expect big things from the graceful outfielder. He was the club's first-round draft choice in the June 1966 Free Agent Draft.
Lyttle is one of the 'home grown' young Yankees on whom the team is building. The lithe young outfielder always could do it all defensively and on the bases. He has good speed, a fine arm and exceptional ability in the outfield. His future depended on the development of his bat. It all arrived together last summer at Yankee Stadium.
Jim graduated a year ago from Florida State University where he won All-American honors in baseball in 1966. During the recent off-season, the 24-year-old Ohio native was a school teacher in the Canal Zone."

-The New York Yankees Official 1971 Yearbook

"Lyttle made the club in spring training and served as the Yankees' fifth outfielder for the better part of the year. He began alternating with Ron Woods in right field on August 11 and wound up hitting .310 in 126 at-bats. Jim's best day was on August 23 when he went 4-for-4 against the White Sox and was hitting .373 after that game.
An excellent outfielder, Jim probably has the strongest and most accurate arm on the club. He is a candidate for regular duty in the Yankee outfield of 1971, yet hit .429 as a pinch hitter (3-for-7).
He graduated from Florida State last March and spent the off-season as a teacher in the Canal Zone. Lyttle was an All-American in baseball at FSU in 1966. His hobbies are fishing and golf."

-1971 New York Yankees Press-TV-Radio Guide