Byrd Breaks Through As One Of Rangers' Most Promising Players

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Texas Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd wears an Oklahoma RedHawks T-shirt under his jersey every day just for motivation.<br/><br/>Byrd started the season with the Rangers' Triple-A

Thursday, July 26th 2007, 1:02 pm

By: News On 6

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Texas Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd wears an Oklahoma RedHawks T-shirt under his jersey every day just for motivation.

Byrd started the season with the Rangers' Triple-A club in Oklahoma City and was doing well when the Rangers recalled him on May 26th. Since then he's hit .350 in over 200 at-bats with a career-high six triples and 34 RBIs in 54 games.

His 50 starts have been split among all three outfield positions and he's already become favorite of the fans. Many stand up and flap their arms like a bird when he comes to the plate.

And if 40-year-old Kenny Lofton is traded to a playoff contender, as most expect will happen before Tuesday's non-waiver deadline Byrd is likely to become the regular center fielder.

Byrd was one of the National League's top rookies in 2003 when he was the opening day center fielder in Philadelphia and hit .303 in 135 games. He fell to .228 the next season and went back to the minors before being traded to Washington.

Byrd ranked fourth in the Pacific Coast League with a .358 average through 44 games with Oklahoma when the Rangers finally called.