Projo Sox Blog

By STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

BOSTON -- Right-hander Paul Byrd, obtained in a trade with Cleveland on Tuesday, made his first appearance in the Red Sox clubhouse this afternoon.

"I'm still spinning a little bit," said Byrd, who will start Friday night at Fenway Park against Toronto, a team he beat last Sunday in his final start with the Indians.

"I'm excited to put on this uniform, walk around the clubhouse and meet guys. I've never pitched in a World Series. I've wanted to do that since I was a little boy. It's great to be in a place where that might happen," he said.

Last October, Fenway Park was not such a happy place for Byrd and the Indians. With Cleveland set to take on Boston in the deciding Game 7 of the American League Championship Series on Oct. 21 with a berth in the World Series on the line, Byrd's name was mentioned in an HGH story in the morning of that crucial game, causing a distraction in the visitors' clubhouse.

Byrd eventually was summoned by Major League Baseball in the offseason to talk about his involvement with the steroid, and MLB was satisfied with what it heard, electing not to suspend the veteran pitcher.

"There was a whole lot to go through," said Byrd. "I said my piece. I wrote a book that addressed it in the last chapter. I won;t run and hide from talking about it, but I've turned the page and moved on."

He moves on with the Red Sox wearing number 36, his favorite number, courtesy of backup Boston catcher Kevin Cash, who previously wore the number. Cash will wear number 30. The swap may cost Byrd a bit.

"I owe him something," said Byrd. "I hear he's a big boots guy, so maybe a pair of boots or a watch. It was nice of him to give it to me."

 Tags  kevin cash paul byrd red sox

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