New Arrival: Paul Byrd, sp, Cleveland Indians

Paul Byrd is absolutely one of my favorite pitchers. I have tried writing to him a million times over the years and never have been able to get a response. Finally got this card from a fellow collector. I will take it.

Byrd was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 4th round of the 1991 draft. But in 1994 he was included in a package of players that were traded to the Mets for Jeromy Burnitz and Joe Roa. Not a terrible trade. It would have been better if the Indians held onto Burnitz, but whatever. Can’t win them all.

Over the next decade, Byrd would have some solid seasons. He was an All-Star in 1999 while pitching for the Angels (15-11, 104 ERA+), and in 2002 would go 17-11, 127 ERA+ with the Royals. He was never really an ace, but a solid middle of the order workhorse.

In 2005 the Indians signed him as a free agent and over the next two and a half seasons he would go 32-27 with a 95 ERA+. In 2007 he won 15 games and was no small reason why the Indians made it to the ALCS. He was exactly the kind of pitcher the Indians needed back in those days: a guy who would just put in quality starts. The offense was good enough that he did not have to be an All-Star to be effective.

Anyway. Paul Byrd. Pretty good pitcher.