Paul Byrd
Paul Byrd | |
---|---|
Pitcher | |
Born: Louisville, Kentucky, U.S. | December 3, 1970|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
July 28, 1995, for the New York Mets | |
Last MLB appearance | |
October 1, 2009, for the Boston Red Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Win–loss record | 109–96 |
Earned run average | 4.41 |
Strikeouts | 923 |
Teams | |
| |
Career highlights and awards | |
Paul Gregory Byrd (born December 3, 1970), is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher, who is currently a TV sports broadcaster for Atlanta Braves games on Bally Sports Southeast. While pitching in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1995 to 2009, Byrd was known as being the "nicest guy in baseball."[1] Late in his career, he developed an old-fashioned, early twentieth-century windup in which he swung his arms back and forth to create deception and momentum.[2] Byrd became recognizable and well known for his unique delivery.[3]
High school, college and minor leagues
Byrd played his high school career at
Major leagues
As a member of the
In December 2004, the
In 2007, Byrd was 15–8, the third-best record on the Indians behind
On October 8, 2007, Byrd was the winning pitcher in a 6–4 win against the New York Yankees, giving the Cleveland Indians a 3–1 series win in the 2007 American League Division Series. Byrd pitched again on October 16, this time against the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS. He went five innings, giving up two earned runs and striking out four, gaining the victory in an Indians 7–3 win to take a 3–1 lead in the best of seven series.
On August 12, 2008, Byrd was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Boston Red Sox for a player to be named later (Mickey Hall).[4] A free agent at the end of the season, he announced on January 14, 2009, that he would sit out the beginning of the 2009 season to spend more time with his family and likely sign a deal with a contending team midseason. Byrd mentioned he would like to sign with a team that is close to his home in Georgia.[5] On August 5, 2009, the Boston Red Sox signed Byrd to a minor-league contract.[6] Byrd made his first major league start of the 2009 season for the Red Sox on August 30, 2009, against the Toronto Blue Jays. Byrd went six innings, giving up three hits, three walks and no runs.[7]
HGH controversy
On October 21, 2007, Byrd was accused of using
On December 13, 2007, Byrd was cited in the
Personal
Byrd has written a book called Free Byrd about his life, detailing both his devout Christianity and past struggles with pornography, among other things.[13] Byrd's wife, Kym, is a certified life coach where she helps married athletes with the rigors of their unique marriages. Together, with Paul's help, Kym surveys couples in baseball in hopes of helping those families in need.[14] Through an organization called CRU, Paul and Kym currently travel to various colleges around the United States speaking to students about "Faith in Sports" and "How to Stay Married in a Career Dominated Lifestyle."
Broadcasting
Until 2021, Byrd was a TV sports broadcaster with Bally Sports Southeast covering Atlanta Braves games. He did on-the-field interviews and provided analytical color commentary in tandem with the Braves' play-by-play announcer Chip Caray and Jeff Francoeur.
See also
References
- ^ Salisbury, Jim (August 18, 1998). "One Up on Big Unit, Byrd Shuts Out Astros". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^ Murr, Chuck (October 16, 2007). "ALCS Quotebook: Paul Byrd". Scout.com. Archived from the original on January 20, 2015. Retrieved May 10, 2011.
- ^ Caple, Jim (October 15, 2007). "Caple: Byrd's delivery takes us back -- way back". ESPN. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- Cleveland Indians. Archived from the originalon August 15, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ Langosch, Jenifer (January 14, 2009). "Byrd to sit out start of '09 season". MLB.com. Archived from the original on January 26, 2009. Retrieved January 14, 2009.
- Fox Sports. Archived from the originalon August 9, 2009. Retrieved August 6, 2009.
- NESN. Archived from the originalon September 28, 2011. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
- ^ Williams, Lance; Fainaru-Wada, Mark (October 21, 2007). "Cleveland pitcher spent thousands on human growth hormone". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 21, 2007.
Paul Byrd, the veteran pitcher who has helped the Cleveland Indians reach the brink of the World Series, bought nearly $25,000 worth of human growth hormone and syringes from a Florida anti-aging clinic that was targeted by law enforcement for illegally distributing performance-enhancing drugs, business records show.
- Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
- ^ Williams, Lance; Fainaru-Wada, Mark; Slusser, Susan (October 22, 2007). "Indians pitcher Byrd says growth hormone was prescribed by doctor". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 22, 2007.
- ^ "Indians' Byrd says he took HGH under 'doctor's care and supervision'". ESPN. October 22, 2007. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
- ^ Mitchell, George (December 13, 2007). "Mitchell Report on Steroid Use in Baseball" (PDF). MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2007.
- ^ Sam, Sam (October 17, 2007). "Paul Byrd's struggle to walk with God". ESPN. Retrieved October 17, 2007.
- ^ "The Overwhelmingly Interesting Kym Byrd Interview | Jimmy Scott's High & Tight". Jimmy Scott's High & Tight. Archived from the original on October 9, 2008. Retrieved April 15, 2021.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Paul Byrd at Ultimate Mets Database