Eric Byrnes should have played in the 1970s

Its time to ramble on about one of our favorite players here at Bill Hall's Wood - Eric Byrnes.

Perhaps the most energetic player in the game today, Byrnes has played for several teams, but has seemed to settle in with the Diamondbacks. He was one of only 2 players with 20 HRs and 50 SBs last year, and helped propel the Dbacks to the playoffs. He won't be needed as much this year because Brandon Webb is apparently never going to lose, but I woudn't bet against Byrnes repeating his stats.

Despite his apparent skills, Byrnes was destined to have played about 30 years ago, in the 1970s. The new ban on amphetimines may decrease his energy level, and he is clearly coked out 90% of the time, particularly when working with Kevin Kennedy in the playoffs. In fact, Byrnes would probably have provided the entire National League with cocaine back then. He definitely would have been involved in the mid-80s drug trials, but probably would not have gone to jail because no one can stand to be around him for more than 5 minutes at a time.

His stats lend themselves more to that time period (stolen bases were respected more), and although his all out play is respected these days, his ridiculous leaps and dives clearly resemble Superman movies from the 1970s. You can't argue with the fact that he would look perfectly natural in a disco around that time. And if you do, just look at the below picture.

(Pictures courtesy of ericbyrnes.com)