Eric Byrnes
Encyclopedia
Eric James Byrnes is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
. He has played for the Oakland Athletics
, the Colorado Rockies
, the Baltimore Orioles
, the Arizona Diamondbacks
, and the Seattle Mariners
. He retired after his stint with the Mariners, and he now is an analyst for MLB Network.
Byrnes is considered a player who relies on his speed and hustle. He can hit for power, but tends to be a "free-swinger" and goes through hitting droughts. He was ranked in the top-three for best defensive left fielders in John Dewan's publication, Fielding Bible.
in Mountain View, California
. After graduating in 1994, he was selected in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers
but elected to go to college at the University of California at Los Angeles.
(1995–97) and Garrett Atkins
(1998). He was again selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, this time by the Houston Astros
after his junior season, but again elected to stay in school. He finished his career at UCLA as one of the most successful hitters in Pac-10 history with a .331 career average and 75 doubles, a conference record.
by the Oakland Athletics. In the 1998 season, Byrnes played for the short-season Southern Oregon Timberjacks
, and the Class-A Advanced Visalia Oaks
in the A's organization where he batted
a combined .357 with 19 doubles
, 4 triples
, 11 home run
s, 52 RBIs, and 17 stolen base
s. In 1999, Byrnes continued to play in the A's minor leagues. That season, he played for the Class-A Advanced Modesto A's, and the Double-A Midland RockHounds
and in 139 combined games, Byrnes batted .306 with 42 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases. Byrnes made his major league debut on August 22, , against the Cleveland Indians
. He went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in his first games, playing designated hitter
and batting seventh in the batting order
. Brynes batted .300 his first season, with three hits in ten at-bats. The next season, , Byrnes played 19 games with the A's. He hit his first home run of his major league career on June 9, 2001, against the San Francisco Giants
. He batted .237 with one double, three home runs, five RBIs, and one stolen base with the A's in 2001. Brynes played two games in the 2001 American League Division Series
against the New York Yankees
going hitless in two at-bats.
Byrnes was also involved in a 2003 baseball game that included two significant base running gaffes in a single inning. With a chance to close out the Boston Red Sox, the Athletics had a potential rally stifled by two controversial plays. Byrnes was tagged out after failing to touch home plate after a collision with catcher Jason Varitek
, who had blocked the plate before attempting to catch the ball. After the collision, a hobbling Byrnes shoved Varitek and began walking back to the dugout. Varitek picked up the ball and tagged Byrnes out. This play was then followed up by Red Sox third baseman Bill Mueller
running into Miguel Tejada
as he was rounding third (later in the same inning). Tejada then stopped running home and was eventually tagged out. The umpires called Tejada out because he was tagged as a result of not attempting to advance home, not because of the obstruction by the third baseman. In 2004, Byrnes had his best year with the A's, batting .283 with 20 home runs, and 73 RBI.
, was traded to the Colorado Rockies for pitchers Joe Kennedy and Jay Witasick
. In 15 games with the Rockies, Byrnes batted .189 with 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases.
. On August 15, 2005, Byrnes and the Orioles traveled to Oakland, marking the first time Byrnes played against his former team. After struggling against right-handed pitchers, the Orioles benched Byrnes and questioned his ability to be an every-day player. In 52 games with the Orioles that season, Byrnes batted .192 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 11 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. In his combined totals that season between the Oakland Athletics, the Colorado Rockies, and the Orioles, Byrnes batted .231 with 22 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases in 111 games.
. Byrnes stated that he was excited for the opportunity to play center field regularly. In 2006, Byrnes batted .267 with 37 doubles, 3 triples, 26 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. His 26 home runs led the Diamondbacks, as did his stolen bases, and his slugging percentage of .482.
Midway through the 2007 season, Byrnes was rewarded with a three-year, $30 million dollar contract extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Byrnes is one of a few players to have 50 stolen bases and hit 20 home runs in one season, having accomplished the feat in 2007. At the end on the 2007 season, Byrnes batted .286 with 30 doubles, 8 triples, 21 home runs, 83 RBIs and 50 stolen bases in 160 games. He led the Diamondbacks in doubles, RBIs, stolen bases, caught stealing
(7), and total bases
(288). Byrnes was also 11 in National League Most Valuable Player Award voting with 43 voting points. He was honored with a Fielding Bible Award
as the best fielding left fielder
in MLB.
On May 27, 2008, Byrnes was placed on the 15-day disabled list
for the 1st time in his career with sore hamstrings. Byrnes underwent an MRI that showed he had tears in both of his hamstrings. Byrnes returned to the team on June 23, 2008, batting leadoff against the Boston Red Sox
at Fenway Park
. At the end of the 2008 season, Byrnes batted .209 with 13 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 52 games.
On June 25, , Byrnes was placed on the disabled list with broken left hand. He was injured during a game against the Texas Rangers
after opposing pitcher Scott Feldman
hit
Byrnes on the hand with a pitch. After he sustained the injury, he was replaced by Ryan Roberts
. He was reinstated from the disabled list on September 5, 2009. He played 16 minor league games during his rehab stint with the Triple-A Reno Aces
, batting .279 with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, nine RBIs, and one stolen base. On January 15, 2010, Byrnes was designated for assignment
by the Arizona Diamondbacks
to make room on the 40-man roster for Adam LaRoche
.
after he was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks, however, on January 29, 2010, Byrnes signed a one-year, $400,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners
. To make room for Byrnes on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated first baseman
Tommy Everidge
for assignment. The Diamondbacks are still responsible for the remaining $11 million on his contract he had with them before being released. Byrnes was slated to share playing time in the outfield with Milton Bradley at the time of his signing. Byrnes said this about being signed by the Mariners:
Byrnes was released by the Mariners on May 2, 2010 after batting .094 with 3 hits in 32 at-bats, 1 run scored, 2 doubles, 9 strikeouts, and 6 bases on balls in 15 games on the season with Seattle. In a press release by the Mariners, general manager Jack Zduriencik said that, "Eric Byrnes is a tremendous competitor and a credit to baseball. We wish him only the best and expect him to land on his feet." This ended a disappointing stint with the Mariners.
. He lives in Half Moon Bay
, California, plays slow pitch softball
and golf, and reports no regrets. He will earn $11 million in 2010.
's Baseball Tonight
show. He has also appeared on Fox's baseball pre-game show and The Best Damn Sports Show Period
talk show. He was a guest analyst for the first two games of the 2006 World Series pre-game show and for some of the 2007 World Series on FOX Sports. During the off-season, Byrnes often fills in on KNBR
, a San Francisco radio station. He currently resides with his wife Tarah, daughter Chloe and their bulldog
s, Bruin, Mr. Hitch and Bella. During the 2007 MLB All Star Game at AT&T Park
, he was in a kayak in McCovey Cove
with Bruin during the pre-game and game itself for the FOX Sports broadcast.
Byrnes also has had his own TV show, called "The Eric Byrnes Show," which aired on FSN Arizona during the Diamondbacks' regular season. The show featured behind-the-scenes looks at the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as Byrnes' personal life. During the 2007 off-season, Byrnes began a weekly radio show on XM Satellite Radio
, called "Hustle with Eric Byrnes."
He worked in the booth with ESPN for the 2010 College World Series
and is now a contributor to the MLB Network
.
On March 18, 2011, Byrnes was hired by KNBR to host a nightly talk show, holding the 7-10 p.m. slot, as well as doing a Giants'
post-game show. Byrnes began his talk show on March 23, 2011.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. He has played for the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
, and the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. He retired after his stint with the Mariners, and he now is an analyst for MLB Network.
Byrnes is considered a player who relies on his speed and hustle. He can hit for power, but tends to be a "free-swinger" and goes through hitting droughts. He was ranked in the top-three for best defensive left fielders in John Dewan's publication, Fielding Bible.
High school
Byrnes' high school career was spent in the Western Catholic Athletic League, where he played for St. Francis High SchoolSaint Francis High School (Mountain View)
Saint Francis High School, founded in 1954 by the Brothers of Holy Cross, is a Roman Catholic, co-educational, college preparatory secondary school located in Mountain View, CA. The Brothers of Holy Cross serve both on the faculty and on the Board of Directors...
in Mountain View, California
Mountain View, California
-Downtown:Mountain View has a pedestrian-friendly downtown centered on Castro Street. The downtown area consists of the seven blocks of Castro Street from the Downtown Mountain View Station transit center in the north to the intersection with El Camino Real in the south...
. After graduating in 1994, he was selected in the Major League Baseball Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
but elected to go to college at the University of California at Los Angeles.
College
At UCLA (1995–98), Byrnes hit second in the batting order and played right field in a lineup that featured future major-league stars Troy GlausTroy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
(1995–97) and Garrett Atkins
Garrett Atkins
Garrett Bernard Atkins is a Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently a Free Agent. He bats and throws right-handed....
(1998). He was again selected in the Major League Baseball Draft, this time by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
after his junior season, but again elected to stay in school. He finished his career at UCLA as one of the most successful hitters in Pac-10 history with a .331 career average and 75 doubles, a conference record.
Oakland Athletics
Byrnes was selected in the 8th round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
by the Oakland Athletics. In the 1998 season, Byrnes played for the short-season Southern Oregon Timberjacks
Southern Oregon Timberjacks
The Southern Oregon Timberjacks were a minor league baseball team based in Medford, Oregon. The team played in the short-season single-A Northwest League from 1979 to 1999 and were an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics...
, and the Class-A Advanced Visalia Oaks
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
in the A's organization where he batted
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
a combined .357 with 19 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 4 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 11 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 52 RBIs, and 17 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. In 1999, Byrnes continued to play in the A's minor leagues. That season, he played for the Class-A Advanced Modesto A's, and the Double-A Midland RockHounds
Midland RockHounds
The Midland RockHounds are a minor league baseball team based in Midland, Texas, USA. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics major league club. The RockHounds play in Citibank Ballpark, located in Midland. Opened in 2002, the stadium seats...
and in 139 combined games, Byrnes batted .306 with 42 doubles, 1 triple, 7 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 34 stolen bases. Byrnes made his major league debut on August 22, , against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. He went 2-for-4 with a stolen base in his first games, playing designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
and batting seventh in the batting order
Batting order (baseball)
The batting order, or batting lineup, in baseball is the sequence in which the nine members of the offense take their turns in batting against the pitcher. The batting order is the main component of a team's offensive strategy. The batting order is set by the manager before the game begins...
. Brynes batted .300 his first season, with three hits in ten at-bats. The next season, , Byrnes played 19 games with the A's. He hit his first home run of his major league career on June 9, 2001, against the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He batted .237 with one double, three home runs, five RBIs, and one stolen base with the A's in 2001. Brynes played two games in the 2001 American League Division Series
2001 American League Division Series
-New York Yankees vs. Oakland Athletics:-Game 1, October 9:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 2, October 11:Safeco Field in Seattle, Washington-Game 3, October 13:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio-Game 4, October 14:Jacobs Field in Cleveland, Ohio...
against the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
going hitless in two at-bats.
Byrnes was also involved in a 2003 baseball game that included two significant base running gaffes in a single inning. With a chance to close out the Boston Red Sox, the Athletics had a potential rally stifled by two controversial plays. Byrnes was tagged out after failing to touch home plate after a collision with catcher Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
, who had blocked the plate before attempting to catch the ball. After the collision, a hobbling Byrnes shoved Varitek and began walking back to the dugout. Varitek picked up the ball and tagged Byrnes out. This play was then followed up by Red Sox third baseman Bill Mueller
Bill Mueller
William Richard Mueller is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Mueller's playing career was spent with the San Francisco Giants , Chicago Cubs , Boston Red Sox , and Los Angeles Dodgers . He won the American League batting title in 2003, and helped the Red Sox win the 2004 World Series...
running into Miguel Tejada
Miguel Tejada
Miguel Odalis Tejada was a Major League Baseball infielder who has played for the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres, the Houston Astros, the Baltimore Orioles and the Oakland Athletics...
as he was rounding third (later in the same inning). Tejada then stopped running home and was eventually tagged out. The umpires called Tejada out because he was tagged as a result of not attempting to advance home, not because of the obstruction by the third baseman. In 2004, Byrnes had his best year with the A's, batting .283 with 20 home runs, and 73 RBI.
Colorado Rockies
On July 13, 2005, Byrnes, along with prospect Omar QuintanillaOmar Quintanilla
Omar Quintanilla is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent.-Early life:He attended Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, where he led the city of El Paso in home runs, RBI, and was elected to the Texas All-State shortstop...
, was traded to the Colorado Rockies for pitchers Joe Kennedy and Jay Witasick
Jay Witasick
Gerald Alphonse "Jay" Witasick, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut on July 7, as a member of the A's versus the California Angels...
. In 15 games with the Rockies, Byrnes batted .189 with 2 doubles, 5 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases.
Baltimore Orioles
A little over two weeks later, and a day before the trading deadline, on July 30, 2005, Byrnes was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Larry BigbieLarry Bigbie
Larry Robert Bigbie is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder. Bigbie last played for a MLB-affiliated team in 2007 for the Richmond Braves, the Triple-A affiliate for the Atlanta Braves organization...
. On August 15, 2005, Byrnes and the Orioles traveled to Oakland, marking the first time Byrnes played against his former team. After struggling against right-handed pitchers, the Orioles benched Byrnes and questioned his ability to be an every-day player. In 52 games with the Orioles that season, Byrnes batted .192 with 7 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 11 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases. In his combined totals that season between the Oakland Athletics, the Colorado Rockies, and the Orioles, Byrnes batted .231 with 22 doubles, 3 triples, 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 5 stolen bases in 111 games.
Arizona Diamondbacks
After the 2005 season, Byrnes was granted free agency. On December 30, 2005, Byrnes signed a one-year, $2.25 million dollar contract with the Arizona DiamondbacksArizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. Byrnes stated that he was excited for the opportunity to play center field regularly. In 2006, Byrnes batted .267 with 37 doubles, 3 triples, 26 home runs, 79 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. His 26 home runs led the Diamondbacks, as did his stolen bases, and his slugging percentage of .482.
Midway through the 2007 season, Byrnes was rewarded with a three-year, $30 million dollar contract extension with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Byrnes is one of a few players to have 50 stolen bases and hit 20 home runs in one season, having accomplished the feat in 2007. At the end on the 2007 season, Byrnes batted .286 with 30 doubles, 8 triples, 21 home runs, 83 RBIs and 50 stolen bases in 160 games. He led the Diamondbacks in doubles, RBIs, stolen bases, caught stealing
Caught stealing
In baseball, a runner is charged, and the fielders involved are credited, with a time caught stealing when the runner attempts to advance or lead off from one base to another without the ball being batted and then is tagged out by a fielder while making the attempt...
(7), and total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
(288). Byrnes was also 11 in National League Most Valuable Player Award voting with 43 voting points. He was honored with a Fielding Bible Award
Fielding Bible Award
A Fielding Bible Award recognizes the best defensive player for each fielding position in Major League Baseball based on statistical analysis. John Dewan and Baseball Info Solutions conduct the annual selection process...
as the best fielding left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
in MLB.
On May 27, 2008, Byrnes was placed on the 15-day disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
for the 1st time in his career with sore hamstrings. Byrnes underwent an MRI that showed he had tears in both of his hamstrings. Byrnes returned to the team on June 23, 2008, batting leadoff against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
at Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
. At the end of the 2008 season, Byrnes batted .209 with 13 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, 24 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 52 games.
On June 25, , Byrnes was placed on the disabled list with broken left hand. He was injured during a game against the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
after opposing pitcher Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman
Scott Feldman was a news anchor for News 12 Long Island for 22 years.-Early life:Feldman was born in St. Louis, Missouri, graduated from the University of Denver in 1971. He served in the U.S. Army Reserves and National Guard....
hit
Hit by pitch
In baseball, hit by pitch , or hit batsman , is a batter or his equipment being hit in some part of his body by a pitch from the pitcher.-Official rule:...
Byrnes on the hand with a pitch. After he sustained the injury, he was replaced by Ryan Roberts
Ryan Roberts
Ryan Alan Roberts is a Major League Baseball infielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks. A right-handed batter, Roberts is 5' 11" tall and weighs 190 pounds. He is married to actress Kim Camille. Roberts has over 30 tattoos.-College career:After graduating from L. D...
. He was reinstated from the disabled list on September 5, 2009. He played 16 minor league games during his rehab stint with the Triple-A Reno Aces
Reno Aces
The Reno Aces are a minor league baseball franchise based in Reno, Nevada, in the United States. The team is a member of the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks....
, batting .279 with seven doubles, one triple, two home runs, nine RBIs, and one stolen base. On January 15, 2010, Byrnes was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
to make room on the 40-man roster for Adam LaRoche
Adam LaRoche
David Adam LaRoche , is a Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2011, the Washington Nationals signed him to a two-year deal...
.
Seattle Mariners
Byrnes had shown interest in joining the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
after he was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks, however, on January 29, 2010, Byrnes signed a one-year, $400,000 contract with the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. To make room for Byrnes on the 40-man roster, the Mariners designated first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
Tommy Everidge
Tommy Everidge
Thomas James "Tommy" Everidge is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently with the independent Lancaster Barnstormers.-Amateur career:...
for assignment. The Diamondbacks are still responsible for the remaining $11 million on his contract he had with them before being released. Byrnes was slated to share playing time in the outfield with Milton Bradley at the time of his signing. Byrnes said this about being signed by the Mariners:
Byrnes was released by the Mariners on May 2, 2010 after batting .094 with 3 hits in 32 at-bats, 1 run scored, 2 doubles, 9 strikeouts, and 6 bases on balls in 15 games on the season with Seattle. In a press release by the Mariners, general manager Jack Zduriencik said that, "Eric Byrnes is a tremendous competitor and a credit to baseball. We wish him only the best and expect him to land on his feet." This ended a disappointing stint with the Mariners.
Retirement
On May 13, 2010, Byrnes announced his retirement from Major League BaseballMajor League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. He lives in Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay
Half Moon Bay is a city in San Mateo County, CaliforniaHalf Moon Bay may also refer to:- Geographic features :* Half Moon Bay , a bay on the San Mateo County Coast of California...
, California, plays slow pitch softball
Softball
Softball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of 10 to 14 players. It is a direct descendant of baseball although there are some key differences: softballs are larger than baseballs, and the pitches are thrown underhand rather than overhand...
and golf, and reports no regrets. He will earn $11 million in 2010.
Broadcasting career
During the 2006 post-season, Byrnes was an analyst for ESPNESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
's Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight
Baseball Tonight is a program that airs on ESPN. The show, which recapitulates the day's Major League Baseball action, has been on the air since 1990.-Air times:...
show. He has also appeared on Fox's baseball pre-game show and The Best Damn Sports Show Period
The Best Damn Sports Show Period
The Best Damn Sports Show Period is an American sports television show on Fox Sports Net and Comcast SportsNet. The show regularly featured irreverent and opinionated interviews with top athletes, coaches, celebrities, and entertainers. It also aired Top 50 countdown shows and other sports...
talk show. He was a guest analyst for the first two games of the 2006 World Series pre-game show and for some of the 2007 World Series on FOX Sports. During the off-season, Byrnes often fills in on KNBR
KNBR
KNBR, The Sports Leader, is the on-air branding used by two AM radio stations in the San Francisco, California, area broadcasting a sports radio format, owned by Cumulus Media....
, a San Francisco radio station. He currently resides with his wife Tarah, daughter Chloe and their bulldog
Bulldog
Bulldog is the name for a breed of dog commonly referred to as the English Bulldog. Other Bulldog breeds include the American Bulldog, Olde English Bulldogge and the French Bulldog. The Bulldog is a muscular heavy dog with a wrinkled face and a distinctive pushed-in nose...
s, Bruin, Mr. Hitch and Bella. During the 2007 MLB All Star Game at AT&T Park
AT&T Park
AT&T Park is a ballpark located in the South Beach neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Located at 24 Willie Mays Plaza, at the corner of Third and King Streets, it has served as the home of the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball since 2000....
, he was in a kayak in McCovey Cove
McCovey Cove
McCovey Cove is the unofficial name of a section of San Francisco Bay beyond the right field wall of AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, coined after famed Giants first baseman Willie McCovey. The proper name for the cove is China Basin, which is the mouth of Mission Creek as it meets the...
with Bruin during the pre-game and game itself for the FOX Sports broadcast.
Byrnes also has had his own TV show, called "The Eric Byrnes Show," which aired on FSN Arizona during the Diamondbacks' regular season. The show featured behind-the-scenes looks at the Arizona Diamondbacks, as well as Byrnes' personal life. During the 2007 off-season, Byrnes began a weekly radio show on XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio
XM Satellite Radio is one of two satellite radio services in the United States and Canada, operated by Sirius XM Radio. It provides pay-for-service radio, analogous to cable television. Its service includes 73 different music channels, 39 news, sports, talk and entertainment channels, 21 regional...
, called "Hustle with Eric Byrnes."
He worked in the booth with ESPN for the 2010 College World Series
2010 College World Series
The 2010 College World Series began on June 19, 2010 and concluded on June 29 in Omaha, Nebraska at Rosenblatt Stadium. South Carolina won the championship after defeating UCLA. Rosenblatt has hosted the CWS since 1950, but 2010 will be the final College World Series to be played in the famed...
and is now a contributor to the MLB Network
MLB Network
MLB Network is an American television specialty channel dedicated to professional baseball. It is primarily owned by Major League Baseball. Comcast, DirecTV, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications have minority ownership of the new network, with MLB retaining a controlling two-thirds share...
.
On March 18, 2011, Byrnes was hired by KNBR to host a nightly talk show, holding the 7-10 p.m. slot, as well as doing a Giants'
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
post-game show. Byrnes began his talk show on March 23, 2011.