Paul Byrd

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Paul Byrd**
Major League Baseball debut
Cleveland Indians — No. 36
Starting Pitcher
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
July 28, 1995 for the New York Mets
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Wins-Losses	82-73
ERA	4.32
Innings pitched	1290 2/3
Strikeouts	742
Former teams
New York Mets (1995-1996) Atlanta Braves (1997-1998), (2003-2004) Philadelphia Phillies (1998-2001) Kansas City Royals (2001-2002) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2005) Cleveland Indians (2006-present)

Paul Gregory Byrd (born December 3, 1970 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who plays for the Cleveland Indians.

Byrd graduated from St. Xavier and attended Louisiana State University where he pitched as part of the Tigers baseball team that won the 1991 College World Series. He was originally drafted in the fourth round of the 1991 amateur draft by the Cleveland Indians. Byrd spent 5 years in the minor leagues before being traded to the Mets and making his major league debut on July 28, 1995.

Byrd is well-known for his striking resemblance to actor Kelsey Grammer and because of this is called Frasier by his teammates.

As a member of the Phillies, Byrd was selected for the 1999 All-Star Game. On July 1, 2003 Byrd underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. He was able to successfully come back from the operation and pitch in his first postseason appearance for the Braves during the 2004 NLDS.

In December of 2004, the Angels signed Byrd to a $5 million(USD), one year contract following the trade of right-handed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to the Cincinnati Reds. Paul went 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA in 205 innings with the Angels. He was second in the AL with 21 quality starts.

On December 4, 2005, Paul Byrd was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Indians.