Byrdak back to the bigs
July 5, 2005 - Northern League (NL)
Gary SouthShore Railcats News Release
Gary, Ind.-The Gary SouthShore RailCats Professional Baseball Club today announced former pitcher Tim Byrdak has returned to Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles.
Byrdak, 31, is the first former RailCat to appear in a Major League Baseball game. In 2003, after being released by the Cleveland Indians organization, Byrdak signed with the Joliet Jackhammers and was traded to the RailCats, July 2, in exchange for pitcher Byron Embry. Byrdak went 2-4 with a 4.34 ERA and threw the only complete game of his career for the RailCats before being signed by the San Diego Padres December 16, 2003.
The left-hander has thrown 2.1 hitless innings in an Orioles uniform, striking out four in his return to the big leagues. He made his 2005 debut July 2 after being called up the previous day from Triple-A Ottawa, throwing one inning and striking out two Cleveland Indians. Byrdak then returned to the hill July 4, pitching 1.1 innings and striking out two more against the New York Yankees. Byrdak saw time with the Kansas City Royals from 1998-2000, but a pair of "Tommy John" surgeries on his left arm kept him in the minor leagues until this weekend.
A graduate of Oak Forest (Ill.) High School who attended South Suburban (Ill.) College and Rice (Tex.) University, Byrdak was a fifth round selection of the Royals in the 1994 amateur draft. In his major league career, Byrdak is 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA in 50 bullpen appearances
The RailCats return home from a six-game road trip Friday to conclude the first half against the Kansas City T-Bones. The two teams begin a three-game series at 7:00 p.m. Friday, and after the game fans can enjoy a fireworks spectacular presented by Krazy Kaplans and the Post-Tribune, and performed by Bada Boom Pyrotechnics.
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Northern League Stories from July 5, 2005
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- Nothern League All-Star coaching staffs announced - Gary SouthShore Railcats
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- Drobiak takes the cake - Joliet JackHammers
- Byrdak back to the bigs - Gary SouthShore Railcats
- T-Bones Win Opener, Take First In South Division - Schaumburg Flyers
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