Bud Byerly – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Bud Byerly’s journey through Major League Baseball really shows what a determined pitcher can accomplish. He carved out an 11-season career during some of the most challenging and competitive years in baseball history.

Born Eldred William Byerly in Webster Groves, Missouri, in 1919, he kicked off his professional career with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals in 1943. He kept at it through all the ups and downs of baseball until his final season in 1960.

Byerly wrapped up his career on July 21, 1960, pitching his last inning for the San Francisco Giants against the Philadelphia Phillies. He retired with a perfectly even record of 22 wins and 22 losses across 237 games.

His career had a unique arc, including undefeated seasons at both the start and end of his time in the majors. He went 1-0 in 1943, and matched that record in both 1959 and 1960.

From those early days pitching for the Cardinals during World War II to his later years as a reliable relief pitcher for five different teams, Byerly’s story reflects what so many players experienced as they devoted their lives to America’s pastime.

He moved through the Cardinals, Reds, Senators, Red Sox, and Giants organizations. That journey gives us a glimpse into the baseball landscape of the 1940s and 1950s, including his part in the 1944 World Series championship with St. Louis.

Early Life and Background

Eldred William “Bud” Byerly was born on October 26, 1919, in Webster Groves, Missouri. He started to love baseball right there in his hometown.

His upbringing in this St. Louis suburb set the stage for his future in pro baseball.

Family and Upbringing

Bud Byerly grew up in a working-class family in Webster Groves. His father, William Harrison Byerly, worked as a dairy farm manager in 1920, then switched to become a Railway Express agent.

His mom was Esther A. Byerly.

Bud wasn’t an only child. He had an older sister, Laverne, who was 17 months older, plus two younger siblings, Doris and James.

The Byerly family stayed close and stable as Bud grew up. His dad’s steady work with Railway Express helped them get through the tough years of the Great Depression.

Bud picked up his nickname early in life, and it stuck with him through his baseball days and beyond.

Education and High School Achievements

Bud attended Goodall School for elementary school, then moved on to Webster Groves High School. He spent four years there and graduated in 1939.

Those high school years were key for his baseball growth. The school’s baseball program gave him his first real shot to show off his pitching.

His high school coach played a huge role in getting his professional career started. The coach saw something in Bud and took action to help him move forward.

“My high school coach took me to Sportsman Park for a try out with the Cardinals,” Byerly once wrote. Cardinal scout Charles Barrett signed him to his first pro contract right off that tryout.

Webster Groves Roots

Webster Groves, Missouri, wasn’t just Bud’s birthplace. The St. Louis suburb really shaped his connection to baseball and the Cardinals organization.

The town’s close proximity to St. Louis made it easy for Bud to get to Sportsman Park. That location helped him catch the eye of Cardinals scouts.

Webster Groves gave him a supportive community that valued youth sports. That environment helped him develop his pitching.

His connection to his hometown team meant a lot throughout his career. Bud pitched for the Cardinals during the World War II years from 1943 to 1945.

Even after he started his pro career, Bud stayed close to his Missouri roots. That hometown connection never faded.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Bud Byerly pitched in Major League Baseball for 11 seasons from 1943 to 1960. He finished with a 22-22 record across 237 games with five different teams.

His career ran from the World War II era into the late 1950s. He mostly worked as a relief pitcher, but he got a few starts here and there.

Major League Baseball Debut

Byerly made his MLB debut on September 26, 1943, with the St. Louis Cardinals. He started the second game of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia Phillies at Sportsman’s Park.

The Cardinals had already clinched the National League pennant, leading by 18 games.

Byerly kept the Phillies scoreless through six innings in his first game. He gave up two runs in the seventh and eighth before they pulled him for a pinch-hitter.

The game went 11 innings, with the Cardinals losing 3-2.

He got his first MLB win on October 3, 1943, in a 5-4 victory over the New York Giants. Byerly pitched five innings for the decision.

He even pitched in the 1944 World Series, throwing 1⅓ innings in Game Three as the Cardinals beat the St. Louis Browns.

Teams Played For in MLB

Byerly played for five different MLB teams in his career. He started with the St. Louis Cardinals from 1943-1945 and was part of the 1944 World Series championship team.

He spent some years in the minors before joining the Cincinnati Reds in 1950-1952. His best season with them came in 1951, when he posted a 3.27 ERA in 40 relief outings.

The Washington Senators picked him up in 1956. He pitched well there, appearing in 25 games in 1956 with a 2.96 ERA, and 47 games in 1957 with a 3.13 ERA.

In 1958, a mid-season trade sent him to the Boston Red Sox. He wrapped up his career with the San Francisco Giants from 1959-1960, going 1-0 in both years.

Role and Position on the Field

Byerly stood 6 feet 2½ inches tall, weighed 185 pounds, and pitched right-handed. He mostly worked as a relief pitcher, starting just 17 games out of 237 appearances.

His role changed as baseball moved toward more specialized relief pitching. With the Washington Senators, he closed 33 of his 47 games in 1957.

Whitey Herzog, his teammate, remembered that Byerly “knew how to pitch” and said he threw a “dry spitter.”

Byerly relied more on control and pitching intelligence than on pure speed. He adjusted his approach over the years to stay effective as he moved between starting and relief roles.

Career Statistics and Milestones

Byerly finished his MLB career with a 22-22 record and a 3.70 ERA over 237 games. He struck out 218 batters and walked 254.

Key Career Numbers:

• Games: 237
• Wins: 22
• Losses: 22
• ERA: 3.70
• Strikeouts: 218

He went undefeated in his rookie season and in his last two seasons (1959-1960) with the Giants. Some baseball historians call him a “20-game winner” when you add up all his victories.

His last MLB appearance came on July 21, 1960, against the Philadelphia Phillies. Byerly pitched one hitless inning and struck out a batter in that final game.

St. Louis Cardinals Era

Bud Byerly played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1943 to 1945. That marked his entry into Major League Baseball with his hometown team.

He helped the Cardinals win the World Series championship in 1944. He got to play alongside some legendary teammates during the World War II era.

Joining the Cardinals Organization

Byerly’s journey to the Cardinals started at Webster Groves High School. His coach lined up a tryout at Sportsman’s Park.

Cardinal scout Charles Barrett saw his potential and signed him in 1940.

After three seasons in the minors, Byerly got called up to the Cardinals in September 1943. He made his major league debut on September 26, 1943, in the second game of a doubleheader against the Phillies.

He started that game and held the Phillies scoreless for six innings. He allowed just two runs, one unearned, on six hits and struck out five over eight innings.

Byerly picked up his first big league win on October 3, 1943, in a 5-4 win over the Giants. He pitched five innings for the win, and Red Munger closed the game for the save.

World Series Contribution

Byerly played a part in the Cardinals’ 1944 World Series win, even though his appearance was brief. The Cardinals faced the St. Louis Browns in an all-St. Louis World Series, with every game at Sportsman’s Park.

He came into Game Three in the seventh inning with two outs and runners on second and third. Byerly struck out Al Zarilla to end the threat and keep the Cardinals in it.

In the eighth, he got three straight infield groundouts to finish his World Series outing. The Browns won that game 6-2, but the Cardinals took the series in six games.

That championship made Byerly a World Series winner for his hometown club. The 1944 series stands out as the only World Series played entirely in one ballpark, since both teams shared Sportsman’s Park.

Notable Teammates and Managers

During his time with the Cardinals, Byerly shared the field with some of the game’s greats from the 1940s. Stan Musial was one of his famous teammates, though there isn’t much on their direct interactions.

The Cardinals’ pitching staff included Red Munger, who helped Byerly get his first win. Alpha Brazle, Byerly’s old teammate from Sacramento, joined the Cardinals’ rotation in 1943.

Byerly played 42 games over his three seasons with the Cardinals. In 1945, his last year with St. Louis, he appeared in 33 games, starting eight and coming out of the bullpen 25 times.

He posted a 7-7 record with a 4.08 ERA over 141 innings pitched for the Cardinals. When players returned from military service after World War II, Byerly lost his spot on the major league roster and went back to the minors for a few years.

Career with Other Major League Teams

After his first run with the Cardinals, Byerly played for four other major league teams. He spent a good chunk of time with the Cincinnati Reds as a relief specialist. He found success with the Washington Senators, had a short but solid stint with the Boston Red Sox, and finished up with the San Francisco Giants.

Cincinnati Reds Period

Byerly joined the Cincinnati Reds in September 1950 after the team called him up from the Syracuse Chiefs. He showed some promise right away, posting a 2.45 ERA in 14 2/3 innings over four games.

The 1951 season was Byerly’s steadiest with Cincinnati. He appeared in 40 games, all in relief, under manager Luke Sewell.

His 3.27 ERA ranked third-best on the team, and he finished with a 2-1 record, even though the Reds landed in sixth place.

Byerly’s time with Cincinnati ended suddenly in 1952. After two rough outings, his ERA shot up to 5.11 by June 10.

On June 15, the Brooklyn Dodgers traded pitcher Bud Podbielan to the Reds for Byerly and some cash. The Dodgers didn’t keep him long—they shipped him to their St. Paul Saints affiliate, where he went 3-2 with a 3.54 ERA in 61 innings.

Washington Senators Experience

The Washington Senators picked up Byerly in 1956 after he impressed with a 1.47 ERA for the Louisville Colonels. On June 13, the Senators bought his contract, and VP Joe Haynes called him “by far the most effective pitcher for Louisville.”

Byerly proved his worth in Washington’s bullpen in 1956. He appeared in 25 games, posted a 2.96 ERA, and went 2-4.

Three of those losses were by just one run, and two of them dragged on into the 12th inning.

His best big league season came in 1957 with the Senators. Byerly worked 47 games, closed 33, and notched career-highs with six wins and six saves.

His 3.13 ERA showed just how steady he was as a reliever.

Whitey Herzog, his teammate, later recalled Byerly’s unusual style: “He knew how to pitch. He always said he threw a ‘dry spitter.’ I’d never heard of a ‘dry spitter.'”

Boston Red Sox Tenure

Byerly joined the Boston Red Sox on June 24, 1958, after Boston traded left-hander Jack Spring to Washington. That new environment really helped the veteran pitcher.

Earlier in 1958, Byerly struggled with a 6.75 ERA over 17 games for Washington. But with Boston, he turned things around, posting an impressive 1.78 ERA in 18 games and going 1-2.

The Red Sox sent Byerly to Minneapolis at the start of the 1959 season. He put up a 6-4 record with a 3.45 ERA for the Millers.

Boston then traded him to the San Francisco Giants on July 26 for Billy Muffett and some cash.

San Francisco Giants Contributions

Byerly’s last major league chapter played out with the San Francisco Giants from 1959 to 1960. He joined the team during their early years on the West Coast, after their move from New York.

In 1959, Byerly pitched in 11 games for the Giants and really impressed. He went 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in 13 innings, showing that even at nearly 40, he could still get the job done.

His final season in 1960 didn’t go as well. He kept a 1-0 record but struggled with a 5.32 ERA.

On July 21, 1960, he made his last big league appearance against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching a hitless inning.

The Giants sent Byerly to Tacoma for rookie Sherman Jones. That move ended his 11-year major league career.

Retirement and Post-Playing Years

Bud Byerly’s baseball career wrapped up in 1960 after 17 years in pro baseball. His final MLB appearance came on July 21, 1960, at age 40.

After retiring as a player, he stuck around baseball briefly as a manager. Then, he switched over to a career in construction.

Final MLB Season and Retirement in 1960

Byerly’s 1960 season with the San Francisco Giants closed out his major league career. He saw limited action, posting a 1-0 record with a 5.32 ERA.

His last MLB game was on July 21, 1960, against the Phillies. He pitched one scoreless inning, didn’t allow a hit, struck out one, and walked nobody.

After that, the Giants sent him to their Triple-A team in Tacoma for rookie Sherman Jones. That move effectively ended his time in the majors, though he played a bit longer in the minors.

Later Roles in Baseball

Once his playing days ended, Byerly stayed involved in baseball through management. In 1961, he pitched briefly for Tacoma, finishing with an 0-2 record and a 9.72 ERA in 19 relief outings.

That October, he took over as manager of the Eugene Emeralds in the Class-B Northwest League for the 1962 season. The Emeralds finished last in the six-team league, with a 63-78 record, 15.5 games out of first place.

Managing the Emeralds in Eugene was his last professional baseball job. The 1962 season closed out his 22-year run in organized baseball.

Life After Baseball

After baseball, Byerly moved into the construction industry. He worked in construction for years, finding some stability after his days on the mound.

He spent his post-baseball years in the St. Louis area. Like his dad, he also worked for Railway Express during the offseasons, showing that he didn’t mind putting in the work.

Byerly died on January 26, 2012, at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis after a brief illness. His wife Margie passed away just four months later.

They left behind their sons Steve and Ken, plus five grandchildren.

Legacy and Recognition

Bud Byerly’s 11-season MLB career might not jump off the page, but he made a real mark with his steady relief pitching and his connection to the St. Louis Cardinals. He never won big individual awards, but his contributions to his teams and community left a lasting impression that goes beyond just stats.

Influence on Baseball

Byerly mainly influenced baseball as a reliable relief pitcher during a time of change in the 1940s and 1950s. His career stretched from 1943 to 1960, covering everything from the World War II era to the early days of modern baseball.

His biggest moment came when he helped the St. Louis Cardinals win the 1944 World Series. He only pitched in one game that Series, but being on the championship roster meant a lot for the Webster Groves native.

Byerly’s pitching style stood out, especially what teammate Whitey Herzog called his “dry spitter.” That unique approach showed the kind of creativity and adaptability relief pitchers needed back then.

He finished with a 22-22 record and a 3.70 ERA over 237 games. That kind of consistency was exactly what teams wanted from their bullpen arms. He also racked up 14 saves, playing a part in the evolving role of the closer.

Honors and Tributes

Byerly didn’t get much formal recognition during or after his playing days. The highlight was being part of the 1944 World Series championship team with the Cardinals, which got him a World Series ring.

Baseball historians and groups like the Society for American Baseball Research have kept his story alive. They featured his biography, making sure future fans could read about his journey.

His hometown ties to Webster Groves always meant something to him. Local baseball folks often pointed to him as a hometown kid who made it to the Cardinals.

He never made it into any major halls of fame or won big awards. Still, sticking around in pro baseball for over two decades, from 1940 to 1962, says a lot about his skill and dedication.

Impact on the Community

Byerly grew up in Webster Groves and stayed closely tied to the St. Louis area. That local connection really shaped his legacy.

He made it to the major leagues as a hometown kid, and honestly, that inspired a lot of young players around Webster Groves.

During the offseason, Byerly worked with Railway Express. He wanted to keep his roots in the community and not drift away from regular life.

Fans who worked blue-collar jobs saw themselves in him because he kept a regular job outside of baseball. That made him feel approachable.

When his baseball days ended, Byerly jumped into the construction industry. He kept giving back to his community through his civilian work.

A lot of players from his time had to find new careers after sports, and Byerly’s move into construction really showed that.

He passed away at St. Anthony’s Medical Center in St. Louis in 2012. Most of his life played out right there in his home region.

People in the local baseball scene remember him as someone who actually lived out the American dream, if there’s such a thing—hometown kid makes good.