Lyons was Boston’s first pick in the June 1981 draft. Though signed as an infielder, he played 88 games in centerfield as a Red Sox rookie in 1985. Known as Psycho because of his reckless hustle and flakiness, he became a Boston fan favorite and hosted a local call-in show. On June 29, 1986 the White Sox accommodated Tom Seaver‘s desire to play for an East Coast team by shipping him to Boston for Lyons. Relegated to a utility role, Lyons became an attitude problem and was sent down in 1987. He later returned to bat .280 and was made Chicago’s third baseman two months into the 1988 season.
