by Chad Vignes
LSU Sports Information
Ryan Byrd doesn’t throw a 95-mph fastball and he doesn’t strike out very many batters, but then again, he never needed to. The senior left-hander has marked his career at LSU by being a control pitcher, who likes to keep it simple.
“You have to keep pitching as simple as possible,” Byrd said. “You can’t analyze it or think about it too much. All you can focus on is the next pitch and after that pitch is over, move on to the next one. I think trying to keep it as simple as possible is the key to being an efficient pitcher.”
Coming into this season, Byrd has an 8-3 record with 18 starts and 58 strikeouts. While his numbers may not reflect the type of pitcher he is, Byrd understands his role on the team.“I would say my biggest strength would be pitching to contact,” Byrd said. “I’m not a big strikeout guy. I’m not going to overpower anybody.
“I like to think I keep our defense in the game, because they’re expecting to get a lot of balls hit to them. I just go right after guys and let them get themselves out.”
“Ryan Byrd is like Tom Glavine,” head coach Paul Mainieri said. “He’s a guy that’s going to live on the outside corner; he’s going to throw his fastball and change-up out there. His forte is control, changing speeds, as well as his savvy and experience.”
His simple, unselfish strategy has made him a staple in the LSU bullpen over the last two seasons. Before that, Byrd was a starter as a sophomore in 2007, when he put together an impressive season posting a 4.74 ERA and a 6-2 record, including a complete-game victory over Ole Miss, where he held the Rebels to two runs on seven hits with three strikeouts.
In 2008, with the emergence of transfers Ryan Verdugo and Blake Martin into the starting rotation, Byrd found himself back in the bullpen. For some pitchers this would be a demotion, for Byrd it was an opportunity.
“I’m happy with the role that I’m in now,” Byrd said. “I just want to go out there and compete whenever I get the chance, whether it is as a reliever or starter or whatever. I’m going to make the best out of it and compete as hard as I can.”
Appreciating the opportunity to play for LSU is something Byrd has always been able to do. Growing up in nearby Denham Springs, La., Byrd said he always came to watch games as a kid and always looked up to LSU baseball players.
“There are always the kids who wait around after games to get autographs, I was that kid,” Byrd explained. “To get to be a part of this and play on this team is unbelievable and something I’ll cherish forever.”
Byrd admitted that he didn’t think LSU would be interested in him coming out of high school because he wasn’t overpowering and didn’t have the 95-mph fastball. On the contrary, it would’ve been difficult for LSU to shun a lefty with a career ERA of 1.71 and 37 wins, one shy of fellow Denham Springs alum and former LSU All-American Ben McDonald. Nevertheless, when Byrd found out LSU was offering he was well beyond surprised.
“I remember I was in Memphis the summer after my junior year of high school, and there’s a certain day when coaches can start calling recruits,” Byrd recalled. “The first night I got calls from Southern Miss and Louisiana Tech, schools like that. It was a dream to come to LSU, but in the back of mind I knew I wasn’t the most overpowering guy.
“The next day, my dad called me and told me Turtle Thomas from LSU called and wanted to talk to me. I told my dad immediately ?I’m coming, if he calls and makes the offer then I’m coming.’”
In his time since signing with LSU, Byrd has relished every opportunity and has performed to the best of his ability. Byrd says that accomplishment is what he wants his mark to be on the program.
“I want to be remembered as someone who came out here and worked hard every day,” Byrd said. “I didn’t have the greatest talent and wasn’t an All-American, but I would hope people would say ?he was an All-American person and he did the best he could’ve possibly done with the talent that he was given.’”
Head coach Paul Mainieri praised Byrd for his leadership and is the first of many to remember Ryan Byrd the way he wants to be remembered.
“He’s not blessed with a 95-mph fastball or a curveball that drops off the table,” Mainieri said. “He’s had to do it by making the most of his ability and I think he’s had a career he should be proud of.
“He’s always placed the team before any of his personal goals and I think everyone respects that. He’s always been a pleasure to have around the team. He’s an outstanding young man, who cares about the right things. I like surrounding myself with people like that.”