Marlon Byrd

Marlon Byrd
New York Mets – No. 6
Outfielder
Born: (1977-08-30) August 30, 1977 Boynton Beach, Florida
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 8, 2002 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Career statistics (through May 20, 2013)
Batting average	.278
Hits	1,095
Home runs	86
Runs batted in	464
Teams
Philadelphia Phillies (2002–2005) Washington Nationals (2005–2006) Texas Rangers (2007–2009) Chicago Cubs (2010–2012) Boston Red Sox (2012) New York Mets (2013–present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2010)

Marlon Jerrard Byrd (born August 30, 1977) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. He has played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox.

Biography

High school career

Byrd is a 1995 graduate of Sprayberry High School (Marietta, Georgia), and won All-State honors in baseball and football.

He played on the 1993 State Runner up team as a sophomore, and was part of the 1995 State Championship team.

College career

Byrd played baseball at Georgia Tech. After a major injury, he transferred to Georgia Perimeter Junior College where he earned an AS Degree in Business in May 1999, while rededicating himself to baseball. The injury was to his right leg in which he sustained muscular damage and an infection which cut off the circulation to his nerves. He had to undergo three operations to correct the problem. Many doctors had wanted to amputate his right leg, but Byrd refused and underwent a two-year rehab process. During the rehab process, Byrd reached up to 300 pounds.

Major league career

Philadelphia Phillies

Once he reached the big leagues in 2003, Byrd had an outstanding season. He came in fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting, batting .303 with 86 runs scored, 28 doubles, four triples, seven home runs and 11 stolen bases in 135 games and 495 at-bats. In 2004, he did not keep his high level performance and was eventually traded to the Washington Nationals.

Washington Nationals

Byrd was traded to the Washington Nationals in 2005 for Endy Chávez. On July 15, 2006, Byrd was designated for assignment and assigned to Washington's Triple-A affiliate, the New Orleans Zephyrs.

Byrd batting for the Texas Rangers in 2009

Texas Rangers

Byrd was signed as a free agent by the Rangers on December 8, 2006, to compete for the starting position in center field. After failing to make the Rangers' major league roster out of spring training, Byrd was assigned to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks. Byrd's contract was purchased on May 26, 2007, following injuries to outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Jerry Hairston, Jr. Making the most of his call-up by hitting over .400 for the month of June, Byrd played his way into the line-up, allowing the Rangers to trade center fielder Kenny Lofton prior to the trading deadline. On August 4, 2008, he hit a walk-off grand slam to help the Rangers beat the Yankees 9–5.

Byrd had a career season in 2009, hitting 20 home runs and collecting 89 RBIs.

Following the 2009 season, Byrd filed for free agency, declining the Rangers' offer of salary arbitration.

Chicago Cubs

On December 31, 2009, Byrd signed a three year, $15 million contract with the Chicago Cubs. In his first season with the Cubs, Byrd had his best season. He was selected for his first All-Star Game, Byrd entered the game as a substitute and drew a walk off of Matt Thornton. He scored from first base on a double by the Braves' Brian McCann. In the ninth inning, while playing right field, Byrd made an outstanding play, forcing David Ortiz at second after fielding what normally would have been a base hit. Also, a popular saying among Cubs fans is "The Byrd is the Word."

On May 21, 2011, while batting during the 2nd inning of a game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, Byrd was hit near his left eye by a pitch from Red Sox pitcher Alfredo Aceves. The pitch was, according to Aceves, unintentional. After the pitch hit him, Byrd dropped to the ground, covered the area by his left eye and rolled in pain; he was helped off the field by Cubs medical personnel and taken to the trainer's room in the clubhouse. Byrd did not return to the game. He was taken to Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, where he stayed overnight to be examined. The incident marked the fifth time that Byrd had been hit by a pitch in a ten-day period. Byrd was placed on the 15-day disabled list the following day. Justin Berg was called up to take his place. Since coming off his stint on the disabled list, Byrd has worn a protective mask customized to his helmet in order to shield his weakened facial bones.

After the 2011 season Byrd began practicing Muay Thai and started a new diet, he has lost 40 pounds and expected to have his best season in 2012.

Boston Red Sox

Byrd during his tenure with the Boston Red Sox in 2012

On April 21, 2012 Byrd was traded to the Boston Red Sox for Michael Bowden and a player to be named later. Minor league pitcher Hunter Cervenka was the player sent to the Cubs May 15.

On June 9, 2012, Byrd was designated for assignment by the Red Sox in order to make room for Daisuke Matsuzaka, who was returning from the disabled list. On June 12, 2012 Byrd was released.

On June 25, 2012, Byrd was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a banned substance. Byrd was placed on the restricted list and remained there until August 20.

New York Mets

On February 1, 2013, Byrd signed a minor-league deal with the Mets.

Byrd got a walk-off 2 RBI single on April 7th for the Mets on their way to a 4-3 victory over the Miami Marlins.

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)