Tommy Byrne (baseball)

Thomas Joseph (Tommy) Byrne (born December 31, 1919 in Baltimore, Maryland), is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1943 through 1957, Byrne played for the New York Yankees (1943, 1946-51, 1954-57), St. Louis Browns (1951-52) and Washington Senators (1953). Byrne batted and threw left-handed. He made his debut on April 27, 1943, and played his final game on September 21, 1957.

Related Topics:
December 31 - 1919 - Baltimore, Maryland - Starting pitcher - Major League Baseball - 1943 - 1957 - New York Yankees - St. Louis Browns - Washington Senators - 1943 - 1957

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Byrne was a hard-thrower pitcher who never hesitated to pitch inside, but he had really struggled with his control most of his career. Byrne led the league in hit by pitches five times and in walks three times. Despite his wildness, he won 15 games twice (1949-50) and enjoyed a career season in 1955 with a 16-5 record, a 3.15 ERA, and led the league in winning percentage (.762).

Related Topics:
Hit by pitch - Walks - 1955 - ERA - Winning percentage

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

But Byrne was a dangerous hitter. He hit well enough during his career to be called on by his managers for pinch-hitting duties. He was a .238 career hitter (143-for-601) with 14 home runs and 98 RBI in 377 games, including two grand slams and 80 pinch-hits.

Related Topics:
Pinch-hitting - Home run - RBI

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In a 13-year career, Byrne compiled a 85-69 record with a 4.11 ERA in 1362 innings, and had a disappointing 0.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio (766-to-1037). In four World Series, he went 2-2 with 11 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA in 21.1 innings. He made the American League All-Star team in 1950.

Related Topics:
Innings - Strikeout-to-walk ratio - World Series - American League All-Star - 1950

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Currently, Tommy Byrne lives in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~