Kevin Beirne
Encyclopedia
Kevin Patrick Beirne was a Major League Baseball
right-handed pitcher. He is the son of Jim Beirne
, who played with the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers
of the NFL from 1968 to 1976.
Beirne was a star outfielder and wide receiver for McCullough High School in The Woodlands, TX where he was a teammate of future NFL player Larry Izzo
. In 1989 as a sophomore, Beirne caught 18 passes in a game against Westfield High School
, at the time placing him second all-time in Texas high school football history for receptions in a single game. He was a first team all-state receiver his senior year and was ranked the #5 high school receiver in the class of '92 in Texas by the Austin American-Statesman
. He signed with Texas A&M
, where he played both baseball and football.
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox
in the 11th round of the MLB amateur draft, Beirne switched from the outfield to pitching in part because a pitcher's schedule fit in better with his football. He did not begin to learn to pitch until he was 21 and playing professionally. Beirne would make his Major League Baseball
debut with the Chicago White Sox
on May 17, 2000. Beirne pitched 29 games, all but one of them in relief, for the White Sox that season. His lone start came in late September against the Boston Red Sox
.
In January , he was traded with Mike Williams, Brian Simmons
, and Mike Sirotka
to the Toronto Blue Jays
for Matt DeWitt
and David Wells
. Beirne appeared in only five games for the Blue Jays in 2001 and was granted free agency
after the season. He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
in December and had his best and final Major League season for the Dodgers, posting a 3.41 ERA in 29 innings. His last three appearances in the Majors came as a starter.
Beirne played professionally in Japan from 2002-2006.
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...
right-handed pitcher. He is the son of Jim Beirne
Jim Beirne
Jim Beirne was a wide receiver who played collegiately at Purdue University, where he was an All-American, and professionally for the Houston Oilers of the American Football League, and the NFL's Oilers and San Diego Chargers.-See also:...
, who played with the Houston Oilers and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the NFL from 1968 to 1976.
Beirne was a star outfielder and wide receiver for McCullough High School in The Woodlands, TX where he was a teammate of future NFL player Larry Izzo
Larry Izzo
Lawrence Alexander Izzo is a retired American football Linebacker and special teamer and current assistant special teams coach for the New York Giants. He was signed by the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1996...
. In 1989 as a sophomore, Beirne caught 18 passes in a game against Westfield High School
Westfield High School (Harris County, Texas)
Westfield High School is a high school located in unincorporated Harris County, Texas, United States.The school, which serves grades 9-12, is a part of the Spring Independent School District. The school, in the Westfield community, has a Houston, Texas postal address...
, at the time placing him second all-time in Texas high school football history for receptions in a single game. He was a first team all-state receiver his senior year and was ranked the #5 high school receiver in the class of '92 in Texas by the Austin American-Statesman
Austin American-Statesman
The Austin American-Statesman is the major daily newspaper for Austin, the capital city of Texas. It is an award-winning publication owned by Cox Enterprises. The Newspaper places focus on issues affecting Austin and the Central Texas region....
. He signed with Texas A&M
Texas A&M Aggies
Texas A&M Aggies refers to the students, graduates, and sports teams of Texas A&M University. The nickname "Aggie" is common at land-grant or "Ag" schools in many states. The teams compete in Division I of NCAA sports...
, where he played both baseball and football.
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the 11th round of the MLB amateur draft, Beirne switched from the outfield to pitching in part because a pitcher's schedule fit in better with his football. He did not begin to learn to pitch until he was 21 and playing professionally. Beirne would make his Major League Baseball
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...
debut with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on May 17, 2000. Beirne pitched 29 games, all but one of them in relief, for the White Sox that season. His lone start came in late September 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"...
.
In January , he was traded with Mike Williams, Brian Simmons
Brian Simmons (baseball player)
Brian Simmons was a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Career:Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 2nd round of the 1995 MLB amateur draft, Simmons would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago White Sox on September 21, 1998, and appeared in his final game on October 7, 2001...
, and Mike Sirotka
Mike Sirotka
Michael Robert Sirotka is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of Louisiana State University....
to the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
for Matt DeWitt
Matt DeWitt
Matt DeWitt is a major league pitcher who briefly played 29 games with the Toronto Blue Jays , and the San Diego Padres . He has played in the minor leagues with the Cleveland Indians, and Baltimore Orioles during the 2004. He has not appeared in the major leagues since his last game with the...
and David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
. Beirne appeared in only five games for the Blue Jays in 2001 and was granted free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after the season. He signed with 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...
in December and had his best and final Major League season for the Dodgers, posting a 3.41 ERA in 29 innings. His last three appearances in the Majors came as a starter.
Beirne played professionally in Japan from 2002-2006.