Yankee fans would be hard-pressed to remember a time when the team did not count the bullpen, led by a dominant closer, among its most formidable weapons. Sparky Lyle's acquisition in 1972 heralded the beginning of a long lineage of spectacular relievers which includes Goose Gossage, John Wetteland, and the greatest of all time, Mariano Rivera. That quartet of late-inning specialists helped New York win 18 East Division titles, 11 American League pennants, and seven World Series championships.
The 2017 Yankees also have a dominant closer; a player who already helped the franchise win a championship as a young setup man eight years ago.