Paul Byrd

Sport: Baseball

Induction Year: 2023

University: LSU

Part of the National League team in the1999 All-Star Game after being one of LSU’s most successful pitchers, including starring on Skip Bertman’s first College World Series-winning club in 1991, Byrd went on to a 14-year major league pitching career. … Built a 109-96 record with a 4.41 ERA for seven teams. …A fourth-round draft pick by Cleveland in 1991, Byrd won at least 10 games six times in his 14 MLB seasons — going 17-11 in 2002 for a 100-loss Kansas City Royals team, 15-8 in 2007 with Cleveland and 15-11 in 1999 in his ASG year with the Phillies. … Posted wins in the ALDS (Yankees) and ALCS (Red Sox) to help Cleveland reach the 2007 World Series, becoming one of only two pitchers to beat those storied clubs in the same postseason. … Byrd remains in the top five in career pitching at LSU in wins (31, fifth) and strikeouts (319, fifth) in only three seasons (1989-91). … The right-hander holds the school season record for victories with 17 in 1990, going 17-6 with a 3.84 ERA in 140.2 innings, including six complete games, while striking out 130 to earn Baseball America Second-Team All-America honors. … Had 44 starts in 77 career appearances with the Tigers, going 31-11 with a 3.96 ERA in 333.2 innings, fanning 319. … In the Tigers’ national championship season of 1991, he struck out 116 in 102.1 innings with an 8-3 record that included a CWS semifinal win over Florida. … Widely admired in the big leagues for his friendly personality, Byrd was voted the Steve Olin/Tim Crews “Good Guy” Award by the Baseball Writers Association, and has won an Emmy Award during his post-retirement broadcasting career. … Now an analyst for Bally Sports coverage of the Atlanta Braves. Born 12-3-1970 in Louisville, Ky.