| Brandon Lyon | |
|---|---|
 Lyon with the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1979-08-10)August 10, 1979 (age 46) Salt Lake City,Utah, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 4, 2001, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 4, 2013, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 42–47 |
| Earned run average | 4.16 |
| Strikeouts | 465 |
| Saves | 79 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Brandon James Lyon (born August 10, 1979) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theToronto Blue Jays,Boston Red Sox,Arizona Diamondbacks,Detroit Tigers,Houston Astros, andNew York Mets.
Lyon made his major league debut halfway through the 2001 season, posting a five-win, four-loss record for theToronto Blue Jays, with a 4.29ERA from 11 starts. He was the second youngest winning pitcher in Blue Jays' history after winning on debut (2–1 overBaltimore).
2002, however, was a different story. Lyon started the season as a starter for the Jays, but lost three of his first four decisions of the season, including a career-high 7 earned runs against theYankees on April 10, and against theAngels on May 3. Three weeks later, Lyon was kicked from the rotation, and placed in thebullpen. He made his debut in this role at theSkyDome, againstBoston, pitching 31⁄3 innings. In five games of relief, Lyon had no decisions against him with a 5.19 ERA.
During the postseason, the Red Sox claimed Lyon off waivers.
Boston made Lyon a permanent reliever, and Lyon appeared in 49 games in 2003, converting 9 saves in 12 opportunities with 50 strikeouts in 59 innings pitched. Lyon missed the entire 2004 season due to injury, after having been traded along withCasey Fossum, Michael Goss andJorge de la Rosa toArizona in exchange forCurt Schilling.
Lyon improved in 2005, converting 14 saves in 15 opportunities while pitching in 32 games and spending part of the season as the Diamondbacks'closer, replacing the injuredJosé Valverde. However, he spent most of the second half on the disabled list. In 2006, Lyon had a very solid season, posting a 2–4 record and a 3.89ERA in 68 appearances. In 2007, Lyon had probably his best season yet, with a 6–4 record, 2 saves, and the best ERA of his career, at a sparkling 2.68 in 73 games. Lyon found his niche as the Diamondbacks' primarysetup man, pitching in front of Valverde, as Arizona won theNL West division title. For most of2008, Lyon served as the closer for the Diamondbacks following the offseason trade of Valverde to the Houston Astros. However, he lost the job toChad Qualls following second-half struggles.
On January 24,2009, the Detroit Tigers signed Lyon to a one-year contract.[1] Lyon's Tiger season started off horrendously: Lyon compiled an ERA of 4.91 in April and a whopping 8.10 in May. From June on, Lyon redeemed himself somewhat by compiling a 1.56 ERA in 572⁄3 innings. Lyon was used as a set-up man for Tigers closerFernando Rodney. On November 10, 2009, Lyon filed forfree agency.
On December 12, 2009, Lyon signed with the Houston Astros to a 3-year deal, worth $15 million.[2]
On July 20, 2012, Lyon was traded to the Blue Jays, along withJ. A. Happ, andDavid Carpenter, forFrancisco Cordero,Ben Francisco,Asher Wojciechowski,David Rollins,Joe Musgrove,Carlos Pérez, and aplayer to be named later (Kevin Comer).[3][4] He became a free agent following the season.
On February 7, 2013, it was announced that the New York Mets and Lyon had reached an agreement on a one-year contract, which became official on February 8.[5]Lyon was designated for assignment on July 5, 2013. On July 9, Lyon was released.[6]
On July 19, 2013, Lyon signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox. He was released on August 1.
On February 10, 2014, Lyon signed a minor league contract with theLos Angeles of Anaheim.[7] On May 20, 2014, Lyon elected free agency after spending all season in Triple-A.
Lyon used an arsenal of five pitches: afour-seam fastball at 90–92 mph, atwo-seamer at 90–91, acutter at 89–91, and acurveball at 78–80. Occasionally, he also throws a changeup to left-handed hitters (85–87). Lyon's most commonly thrown pitch to right-handed hitters (and overall) is the cutter, while his lead pitch against lefties is the two-seamer. The curve is his most common 2-strike pitch.[8]
· Baseball Almanac
