Cubs All-Star Moments: Marlon Byrd's Throw

by Al Yellon on Jul 11, 2011 9:01 AM CDT in History

National League All-Star Marlon Byrd of the Chicago Cubs reaches back to throw the ball during the 81st MLB All-Star Game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim California. (Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)

The 2010 season wasn't a very good one for the Cubs, as you know. But Marlon Byrd, the team's only All-Star last year, put in a memorable performance in his short time in the game.

Byrd entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning, replacing the Brewers' Corey Hart, who was playing right field. Byrd started in center field, with the Dodgers' Andre Ethier moving from center to right. In the seventh inning with two out, Byrd walked -- a rarity for him, as he walked just 31 times in 630 plate appearances during the 2010 regular season -- to load the bases. All three runners scored on a Brian McCann double, Byrd just beating the throw, to give the NL a 3-1 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, Arizona's Chris Young, who had pinch-hit for Ethier, remained in the game, in center -- moving Byrd to right -- a position he had not played all year -- and that set up a key play. In the last of the ninth, David Ortiz led off with a single. After Adrian Beltre struck out, John Buck hit a sinking liner that Byrd couldn't quite catch up to -- but he played it on a short hop, whirled and threw to second, forcing out Ortiz for the second out. Ian Kinsler then hit a fly ball to center to end the game, and thanks in part to Byrd's great play, the NL had its first All-Star win in 14 years.

After the jump, see video of Byrd's throw.

Here's the video of Byrd's great throw, courtesy of MLB.com. Sometimes MLB's video embeds work, sometimes they don't. If the video below turns into a black rectangle, you can watch it at this link.

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What team will Byrd be playing for in August?

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)

by SackMan on Jul 11, 2011 9:18 AM CDT reply actions

The Cubs.

R.I.P. to my grandfather, Andrew Wiley
The reason I am a Cub fan forever

by Unique on Jul 11, 2011 10:00 AM CDT up reply actions

But in RF by the end of August

They need to keep at least one person in the organization who has proven that they can simulatneously hit for something approaching a 100 OPS+ as well as have range and arm to start in RF every day.

They may acquire a RF if they do not manage to land Fielder, but otherwise I think Byrd stays until either Colvin, Szczur or Ha prove that they deserve to start in RF.

It's a simple question, Doctor: would you eat the moon if it were made of ribs??

by Invalid User on Jul 11, 2011 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions

Who cares

With one of the top payrolls in MLB, Cubs have one All Star, a 21 year old, second year minimum salary player….others supposedly considered are is a LH relief set up pitcher making $1.6M. Their supposed best player wasn’t chosen to replace an injured position player.

I am more interested in seeing real action and not excuses and pauses…

Only bright spots on the roster are the two young middle infielders, middle or set up relief and an interesting 5th OF’er who can change the game situation late in the game with his speed.

Get rid of the top brass….Pres, EVP, on field manager, and some coaches.

move on

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 11, 2011 10:08 AM CDT reply actions

Really, can't you just enjoy a past moment from a Cubs player in an All-Star Game?

I swear, people are so angry about the current situation, they can’t seem to enjoy baseball at all. That’s a real shame.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 11, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions 2 recs

trying hard but this season is such a downer

It is not baseball I am not enjoying—-in fact going to AAA games in CO Springs is fun…but watching this Cub team is not.

Yes it is a real shame. Shame that those in charge do not take accountability or acknowledge it, shame that the product on the field is expensive and substandard, shame that there is little plan to hope for…

it is what it is.

Piniella: "This is a tougher job than I thought it would be, I'm going to be honest with you."

by Ivy Walls on Jul 11, 2011 2:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Sigh...

And assuming

Their supposed best player wasn’t chosen to replace an injured position player.

is referring to Aramis… he was selected to replace Polanco (and VERY deservingly so among 3Bs), but turned it down.

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on Jul 11, 2011 10:33 AM CDT up reply actions

Jeez, dude

If you can’t separate this year from your mind for a bit to enjoy a really cool in last year’s AS Game involving a Cub, then you’re going to be miserable for a long time.

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by Brett Taylor on Jul 11, 2011 11:07 AM CDT up reply actions 6 recs

Dumb.

by Dcr18 on Jul 11, 2011 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

This was a fun moment

Regardless of the situation then or now, this was a fun moment for a guy in a Cubs uniform. That was a slick throw, and proved he had a reason to be there. I loved it.

by KennardHusker on Jul 11, 2011 10:18 AM CDT reply actions 3 recs

Exactly.

Thank you.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 11, 2011 10:25 AM CDT up reply actions

Rec'd

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on Jul 11, 2011 10:31 AM CDT up reply actions

I remember watching it.

I’d just gotten back from a two-day work trip through MN and I’d stopped in a local bar to grab a late dinner. I arrived just in time for the seventh and saw Byrd’s walk. I’d never really enjoyed watching an ASG before but that night proved the exception to the rule.

by wallrock on Jul 11, 2011 11:01 AM CDT up reply actions

Man crush on Marlon Byrd <3

We'll all miss you Ron.

by alkappy on Jul 11, 2011 10:30 AM CDT reply actions

I'm lovin the Byrd #24 jersey drawstring backpack giveaway from the last homestand.

Been using it as the new beach bag.

"You win because of the quarterback. We have to get that position stabilized. We're fixated on that." -- Jerry Angelo (12.30.2008)

Jerry Angelo trades for Jay Cutler! (4.2.2009)

by SackMan on Jul 11, 2011 10:36 AM CDT up reply actions

Good memory

No comments can diminish how much I enjoyed that play! Bruce Sutter baffling AL studs w/ his splitter, Jim Hickman’s single on the Rose/Fosse play, Byrd’s throw…hey, it’s not like I can relive lots of playoff/WS victories, so I’ll take this nice play in a big spot by a Cub!

"I showed him the cheese then punched him out with the yakker." -- Eck

by kentmeister on Jul 11, 2011 10:42 AM CDT reply actions

I love Byrd's 2010 All-Star card

Byrd’s performance that night was awesome. Great post!

by shadyglennbeckert on Jul 11, 2011 11:40 AM CDT reply actions

Byrd's performance was awesome...

I don’t know if he would have made the team without the ‘every team represented’ rule. If that rule is the only reason he was there, it’s a good argument for it. Cubs fans got to watch one of their own represent the team well.

by JG23 on Jul 11, 2011 12:28 PM CDT reply actions

Loved the reactions

From the NL players. You could tell they wanted to win and I have a feeling it wasn’t because they were hoping to get home field advantage.

They have two liter bottles now? To think I spent all that time demanding a liter!

by Say Ramrod on Jul 11, 2011 4:26 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks Al this was a fun memory.

Even though baseball’s all-star game is watered down and somehow more meaningless and more meaningful (?!) than in previous generations, I still get a kick out of seeing the very best on one field.

Dan

"The riches of the game are in the thrills, not the money." --Ernie Banks

by dtpollitt on Jul 11, 2011 4:42 PM CDT reply actions

Most Cub players on an AS team?

I always found it exciting when Cubs had lot of representatives…didn’t we have the entire starting infield one year (Santo, Kessinger, Beckert and Banks)?? was that 1969 or ‘70?? And a few years ago we had what, 6 players, Sori, Fuke, A-Ram, Lee, Maybe Soto and a pitcher?? I don’t care so much about outcome but like to see a lotta Cubbie blue.

by QuincyCub on Jul 11, 2011 6:09 PM CDT reply actions

2008 Cubs wound up with eight.

Fukudome, Soto, Soriano, Ramirez, Dempster, Zambrano, Wood and Marmol.

1969 Cubs had five: Banks, Beckert, Kessinger, Santo and Hundley.

I believe those are the two biggest Cubs contingents to the ASG. For all of Fergie Jenkins’ great years, he made only three All-Star teams as a Cub: 1967, 1971 and 1972.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 11, 2011 6:22 PM CDT up reply actions

Since 2008

The Cubs have had one (player) representative in each ASG. 2009: Ted Lilly. 2010: Marlon Byrd. 2011: Starlin Castro (Mike Quade as well). 2012: hopefully more than one Cubs player. Aramis was given the opportunity to go this year, but family comes first.

Jack Brickhouse: "Hey! Hey!" Harry Caray: "Holy Cow!"
Vince Lloyd: "The Chicago Cubs are on the Air!" Len Kasper: "Oh Baby!!!!"
Ron Santo: "YES!" "All Right! Let's do it!" "Ohhh Nooooo!" "Gee Whiz! Come on!" AND... "This Is The Year!"

by #1 iowan cubs fan on Jul 12, 2011 6:09 AM CDT up reply actions

Byrd's AB

What was so great about his AB, was how he was down 0-2, then worked it full before getting walked. If Byrd doesn’t work the count and gets out, the NL probably doesn’t rally and the AL probably wins that game… effectively giving the Rangers and not the Giants home field advantage in the World Series.

by #1 iowan cubs fan on Jul 12, 2011 6:01 AM CDT reply actions

And then, the Giants win the Series on the road.

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by Al Yellon on Jul 12, 2011 8:06 AM CDT up reply actions

1988

Amazingly, the 1988 team had 6 all-stars. Ryno, Andre, Mad Dog, Shawon, Raffy, & Vance Law!

"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields

by KedzieKid on Jul 12, 2011 8:00 AM CDT reply actions

Favorite all-star moments

I’m quite old, so I go back aways for some of my favorite moments. 1961 in S.F. George Altman hits a pinch homer. ’63 in Cleveland, Santo singles in a run in his 1st all-star appearance, as Larry Jackson gets the win. In ’65, Ronnie goes one better by getting an infield single to drive in the eventual game winner in Minn. The ’70 single by Hickman is well known here, and the ’75 MVP was an upcoming kid named Bill Madlock, who drove in the winning runs in the 9th @ Milw.

"It's a funny old world. Man's lucky if he gets out of it alive." W.C. Fields

by KedzieKid on Jul 12, 2011 8:08 AM CDT reply actions