Rawly Eastwick, whom the Yankees signed as a free agent to a five year deal for $1.1 million, allowed five hits and four runs in two innings of work, but the real story is that he is excited to be a Yankee. The big right hander told reporters "I've never been happier in my life. It's been a wonderful experience. Everything's been fabulous. There is no aspect of this spring that I haven't enjoyed."
Eastwick's feelings are interesting since he was an integral part of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds World Champions, winning two games against Boston. He won eleven games in 1976 and saved 26, but then in 1977 there were contract problems with the Reds , who knew that he would become a free agent after the season. The Reds renewed his contract and cut him the maximum twenty percent, which meant that Eastwick's salary for 1977 was $23,000. Trying to cut their losses, on June 15, 1977, the Reds traded Eastwick to the Cardinals for Doug Capilla.
The Yankees will use Eastwick to complement Rich "Goose" Gossage and lefty Sparky Lyle, giving them one of the strongest bullpens in baseball. Eastwick also said that a new diet he has started, one that eliminates red meat and foods with preservatives or dyes, has increased his stamina and energy.
COMMENTS:
The Yankees went into the 1978 season with a relief corps composed of Rich Gossage, Sparky Lyle, and Rawly Eastwick. Gossage was the relief ace while Eastwick, who was thrilled to be a Yankee, would discover that he would not get enough work and would be traded to the Phillies in June for outfielders Jay Johnstone and Bobby Brown.
Steinbrenner was not satisfied with Lou Piniella and Roy White as his left fielders. He wanted Dave Winfield but Winfield wouldn't become a Yankee until 1981. Steinbrenner then turned his attention to Rod Carew, but Carew would never become a Yankee. The "hands-on" Yankees' owner wanted a star left fielder and when he couldn't get one, he settled for Johnstone, who could hit but who was challenged defensively, and Brown, who was just challenged.
Johnstone appeared in only 36 games for the Yankees in 1978, hitting .262 with 1 home run. He was sent to the Padres the following season. Brown didn't make the Yankees until 1979. He had a short and undistinguished career.
Despite the fact that a team can never have enough pitching, the Yankees realized that Gossage would get most of the relief work, with Lyle pitching whenever Gossage needed rest. Ken Clay and even Dick Tidrow could relieve, and that made Eastwick expendable.
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