Harry Byrd

From BR Bullpen

Harry Gladwin Byrd

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 188 lb.

• Debut April 21, 1950
• Final Game September 27, 1957
• Born February 3, 1925 in Darlington, SC USA
• Died May 14, 1985 in Darlington, SC USA

BR page

[edit] Biographical Information

Harry Byrd was the 1952 American League Rookie of the Year with a record of 15-15 for the Philadelphia Athletics (his 15 wins were seventh-best in the league). He one-hit the New York Yankees that year on September 3, then fell victim to the sophomore jinx when he went 11-20 the following season to lead the league in defeats. To his credit he also led the league in games started with 37, working in well over 200 innings.

The defending five-time World Champion New York Yankees felt Harry could be the guy to replace one of their aging mound stars, and he was acquired by the Yankees. He pitched reasonably well with a 9-7 record and 3.00 ERA in 1954 but has the distinction of wearing a Yankee uniform for the only season between the years 1949 and 1958 they failed to capture the pennant.

After being involved in the blockbuster 18-player Largest Trade in Baseball History between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles which brought Bob Turley and Don Larsen to New York, he was also with the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers through 1957, leaving the majors with a record of 46-54 and a 4.35 ERA.

Harry had been in professional baseball for 15 seasons, from 1946 through 1961. His record shows that of those years he was in the minors all or part of 12 seasons. During that run he ran up a record of 123 wins and 130 losses with a 4.28 ERA.

Byrd was a construction foreman in his hometown of Darlington, SC, where he died on May 14, 1985, at the age of 60.

[edit] Notable Achievements

• 1952 AL Rookie of the Year Award
• 15 Wins Seasons: 1 (1952)
• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1952 & 1953)

[edit] Sources

Baseball-Reference.com
Baseball Players of the 1950s