Do You Recall...Paul Byrd?

Don't let the Cleveland Indians' youth movement fool you. True, after turning in a mediocre, disappointing season last year, the Tribe finally look like it has made the leap from good to great (give or take a Joe Borowski), with much of its young offensive talent fulfilling their potential. But apart from Fausto Carmona, the key cogs of the Indians' rotation are surprisingly (or, given their success, perhaps not so surprisingly) seasoned. C.C. Sabathia is only 26 years old but also is in his seventh major league season. Jake Westbrook and Cliff Lee are several seasons removed from being called "phenoms." And few men embody the phrase "seasoned veteran" like the guy the Indians put on the mound for Game 4 of the ALCS.

Now, the acquisition and re-signing of Jamie Moyer has enlightened the Phillies on the value of pitching "smart" and trusting the defense as opposed to simply trying to overpower every single batter. But do you recall a wily Phillies hurler of another not-too-long-ago era? But you recall the man now pitching in the playoffs for Cleveland? Do you recall...Paul Byrd?


Claimed by the Phillies off waivers from those Atlanta Braves in August 1998, Byrd impressed immediately. He pitched a 9-inning shutout in his first Phillies start and followed that up with another complete game five days later. Shades of the great Carlton Loewer, perhaps? I would venture a guess that his Phillies career line looks somewhat similar:

Paul Byrd Phillies Statistics (1998-2001): 56 starts, 22-23 record, 347 2/3 IP, 4.79 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 200 K, 126 BB

In a tease reminiscent of the Matrix trilogy, Byrd continued to pitch out of his mind for the first half of the 1999 season, which earned him and his forehead the right to represent the Phillies in his first--and to date, only--All-Star Game. So, just for the record, that's Paul Byrd All-Star Appearances: 1, Pat Burrell All-Star Appearances: 0.

Unfortunately, a second-half implosion (a 5.65 ERA over 12 games) ensured that most Philly fans would remember him mostly for his striking resemblance to Dr. Frasier Crane and his bizarre feud with the Braves' Eddie Perez, the personal catcher for Greg Maddux for several of his seasons in Atlanta. The dispute had to do with alleged beanballs, and I recall vehemently arguing with Braves fans that the Byrdman needed to establish his inside pitch to be effective. The patent ridiculousness of this argument would not be replicated until Roger Clemens tried to convince people that he though a 6-inch-long plank of wood was a baseball which needed to be thrown in front of Mike Piazza.

As is turns out, only a trade to Kansas City (where expectations go to die) could make Byrd effective again. This miraculously occurred early in the 2001 season, and Paulie responded to the change in environment by posting his first legit sub-4.00 ERA and winning 17 games. For anybody who doesn't put much stock in pitchers' wins, remember...these were the MF'ing Royals. And while he has never regained the form of those magical first 6 months in Philadelphia, he has steadily improved as he aged into his late 30s. He's been a stellar back-of-the-rotation guy for 3 clubs in the last 4 seasons--all of which have made the playoffs with him on the roster.

Hmm...maybe the Phils can sign him back before once he hits 40?

For his skill set that continues to improve seemingly out of spite and against all rational explanation, I fondly recall Paul "Kelsey Grammar" Byrd.