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GradysTribeLady
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| Posted: Sat Apr 12, 2008 10:07 am Post subject: Byrd Will Not Be Suspended |
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CLEVELAND -- The scene was all too familiar for Paul Byrd.
Enclosed by a crowd of reporters and cameras in a Progressive Field tunnel as rain dripped down the dugout stairs, Byrd again addressed an off-field issue.
"This brings back memories," Byrd said, grimly smiling. "Waiting in a tunnel, rainy day ..."
The news was decidedly better on Friday afternoon.
Six months after admitting to using human growth hormone and the ensuing madcap meeting with the press at Fenway Park, the right-hander is in the clear.
Byrd learned he will not be suspended by Major League Baseball, and he was understandably relieved upon hearing the news as he drove to the park early Friday.
"I didn't think it was bothering me that much, but it really was," he said. "I felt a lot of relief when I found out. It was bothering me."
The news came with the announcement of a new Joint Drug Agreement between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, an agreement that commuted the 15-day suspension of Royals outfielder Jose Guillen while enacting all of the recommendations made by former Sen. George Mitchell, including more frequent and independent drug testing.
For Byrd, who'd been longing to know his fate since meeting with baseball's lawyers in December, the news was a long time coming.
During last year's American League Championship Series in Boston, the San Francisco Chronicle reported that Byrd purchased nearly $25,000 worth of HGH and syringes from a Florida anti-aging clinic from 2002-05. Byrd then admitted taking the drug -- which was not banned by MLB until a week after his reported final purchase in 2005 -- under a doctor's supervision for an adult growth-hormone deficiency.
Byrd on Friday was reluctant to speak of his medical condition, which he described last year as a pituitary tumor, as he is awaiting further word from Major League Baseball. And when asked if he had requested a medical exemption to use the now-banned drug, he declined to respond.
"I really want to keep [my issue] private and move forward," he said. "I do want to address the past, but I'm still waiting to hear back from MLB about my situation."
Pitching-wise, Byrd has struggled so far this season, going 0-2 with an 11.05 ERA in his pair of starts. And though general manager Mark Shapiro said he never attributed Byrd's difficulties to the thought of a looming suspension, the Tribe's 15-game winner in 2007 hopes that the newly lifted burden will kick-start his year.
"I hope so. My first starts have been rally bad," Byrd said. "I have to figure out how to locate the ball, first of all, and the stuff should come later. My ball's just been flat. It hasn't had a lot of life on it. It's been on a tee. I've been out there throwing batting practice. And that's not me."
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Tribe Girl 33
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:35 am Post subject: |
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Yeeeeeesssssssssssssss.
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GradysTribeLady
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 12:44 am Post subject: |
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I know, I was really worried about it, because yeah it's a no no in baseball, but he was very honest and forthcoming about it, unlike some people....
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luckynumbr24
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 10:44 am Post subject: |
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Phew...I'm so glad he isn't in trouble!!!! I really like him!
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GradysTribeLady
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 6:49 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah I really like Byrd, he's a good pitcher, and off the field he's so funny  .
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alexandrad06
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:40 pm Post subject: |
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I was really glad to hear he's not being suspended. If anyone deserves not to be punished for HGH, it's him.
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Tribe Girl 33
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:45 pm Post subject: |
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I know. He's such a sweetie!
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alexandrad06
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:50 pm Post subject: |
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And he actually has class. Unlike some of the other guys. *cough*Canseco*cough*
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GradysTribeLady
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:52 pm Post subject: |
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Yeah he really does...I mean even though he did do a bad thing in taking them, at least he was honest and kept his cool about it. A very respectable man there. We love you Paul!
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alexandrad06
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:55 pm Post subject: |
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Yes we do. It's so good to have a guy like Byrd on the team. At least he's man enough to admit he made a mistake.
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luckynumbr24
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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My daughter got to meet him at a game last year and had a baseball signed by him and had her picture taken with him, you can check out my myspace default picture of them, he is extremely nice!
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GradysTribeLady
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 7:59 pm Post subject: |
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Aww that's really cute! I bet she was happy . I sent you a friend request also.
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Tribe Girl 33
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| Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject: |
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Aww that's adorable! 
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LadyWahoo
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| Posted: Mon Apr 14, 2008 12:02 am Post subject: |
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Phew! I'm so happy for Byrdie. He really and quite honestly is the nicest guy in the MLB! I'm glad to hear he's in the clear. He's too good of a guy to get all caught up in this stuff! I'll be congratulating him next time I see him!
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