A Fab Four of Locals Playing in the Major Leagues

Another major league baseball season begins today in Chicago. The Cubs play host to the Pirates at Wrigley Field. Meanwhile, the White Sox are set to open in Cleveland. And, while all eyes will be on the two Chicago ballclubs, don’t forget about some of the homegrown talent playing elsewhere in the majors. Namely:

Tim Byrdak, New York Mets, pitcher

Byrdak, a 5-foot-11, 190-pounder, is a left-handed relief specialist. His job is to come in and retire left-handed hitters. And he has been very effective doing just that throughout a career that has spanned parts of nine major league seasons.

Byrdak has limited left-handed hitters to a .202 batting average during stints with the Astros, Tigers, Orioles and Royals. He won a spot in the Mets’ bullpen this spring. Byrdak went 2-2 with Houston in 2010 with a 3.49 earned run average. He boasts a career record of 9-10 with a 4.35 ERA and three saves.

Born on Oct. 31, 1973 in Oak Lawn, Byrdak played high school baseball at , went on to attend Rice University and was drafted in the fifth round by the Royals in 1994.

Check out Byrdak's page on the Mets' website HERE.

Jason Frasor, Toronto Blue Jays, pitcher

Frasor is baseball’s version of the “Little Engine That Could” because he has overcome long odds to achieve great success despite his physical limitations. He is 5-9 and 180 pounds, too small in the eyes of many to make it in the bigs. But don’t tell him that.

He went 3-4 in 2010 with a 3.68 ERA. He appeared in 69 games for the Blue Jays, all in relief. He allowed 61 hits in 63.2 innings. And he had four saves in eight opportunities. In parts of seven seasons in the majors, he has compiled a career record of 22-27 with a 3.76 ERA.

Frasor’s fighter mentality no doubt comes from his upbringing. He is the youngest of four brothers. He was born in Chicago on Aug. 9, 1977. He played high school baseball at Oak Forest and went on to blossom in the collegiate ranks at Southern Illinois University. While at SIU, he received the Richard “Itch” Jones award as the team MVP in 1997 and 1999.

Check out Frasor's page on the Blue Jays' website HERE.

Tom Gorzelanny, Washington Nationals, pitcher

Gorzelanny, a 6-2, 210-pound lefty, is no stranger in these parts. He spent 2010 with the Cubs, working primarily as a starter, and compiled a 7-9 record with a 4.09 ERA. He appeared in 29 games and made 23 starts. He was traded to the Nationals in a deal that sent the Cubs three minor leaguers. Gorzelanny begins this season as Washington's fifth starter.

He was born on July 12, 1982 in Evergreen Park. He played high school ball at Marist, went on to attend Kansas for one year and then transferred to Triton College in River Grove. He was picked by the White Sox in the 38th round of the 2000 first-year player draft, but did not sign. In parts of eight seasons in the majors, he has compiled a record of 36-37 with a 4.68 ERA.

Check out Gorzelanny's page on the Nationals' website HERE.

Garrett Jones, Pittsburgh Pirates, right fielder

Jones begins what he hopes is his second full season in the majors playing against the Cubs at Wrigley Field today. His first year in the bigs was an eventful one, to say the least.

The left-handed-hitting slugger led the Pirates in games played (158), at-bats (592), home runs (21) and RBIs (86). He went 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs as the Bucs blasted the Dodgers 11-5 on Opening Day in 2010. He became the first player in team history to homer in each of his first two at-bats of a season opener and the sixth in Pirate annals to homer twice on Opening Day. And his 456-foot blast was the longest of the season at PNC Park.

Jones is a 1999 graduate of in Tinley Park and . He was born on June 21, 1981, in Harvey. The Atlanta Braves picked him in the 14th round of the 1999 draft. He made his major league debut on May 15, 2007, with the Twins.

Jones hit .214 this spring with no homers. He battled a sore neck and shoulder at times but is expected to be ready to face the Cubs today. There is some talk of him being platooned in right field with Matt Diaz.

Check out Jones' page on the Pirates' website HERE.