Tim Byrdak

Timothy Christopher Byrdak (born October 31, 1973) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He has pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Houston Astros and New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). A relief pitcher, Byrdak attended Rice University where he played college baseball.

Career Kansas City Royals Byrdak was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the fifth round of the 1994 MLB draft out of Rice University. He made his MLB debut as a reliever against the New York Yankees on August 7, 1998.

Cleveland Indians He signed as a minor league free agent with the Indians on February 19, 2001. The plate appearance marked Minoso's seventh decade of professional baseball, and Byrdak was quoted in the "Scorecard" section of Sports Illustrated on his impressions on facing the former White Sox star.

San Diego Padres He signed as a minor league free agent with the San Diego Padres on January 30, 2004, and made 20 appearances for the AAA Portland Beavers, where he was 3–0 with a 5.45 ERA.

Baltimore Orioles He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles on June 22, 2004, and pitched for the Ottawa Lynx in 2004 and 2005. Byrdak made his first appearance in the Majors in five years when the Orioles purchased his contract and he appeared against the Indians on July 2, 2005. He made 57 appearances for the Orioles Major League team in 2005 and 2006, with a 1–1 record and 5.88 ERA.

New York Mets

On January 21, 2011, Byrdak signed with the New York Mets. That season, he had a 2–1 record and 3.82 ERA. Despite some discussion about a possible trade, He was re-signed following the season.

Byrdak had surgery to repair a torn meniscus on March 13, 2012. He was scheduled to miss six weeks. However, on Opening Day, April 5, 2012, Byrdak made his season debut and struck out the only two batters he faced, preserving the Mets 1–0 victory. Through June 16 he had a 2–0 record and 3.44 ERA.

On August 6, 2012, it was announced that Byrdak had suffered an anterior capsule injury in his left shoulder. He did not pitch at all for the rest of the season.

On November 26, 2012, Byrdak re-signed with the Mets on a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

Personal life Aside from major league baseball Byrdak works at Tyler Thompson's Elite Sports Facility in Lockport, IL and gives pitching lessons. Tim is married with four children and resides in Lockport, Illinois during the off-season.

Former Pitching coach for Providence Catholic High School in New Lenox, IL. The Celtics hold the record for most ISHA State Championships in baseball.