Steve Lyons

Stephen John Lyons (born June 3, 1960) is an American former professional baseball player who previously worked as a television sportscaster for the New England Sports Network (NESN).

Lyons was born in 1960 in Tacoma, Washington, and grew up in Eugene and Beaverton, Oregon.

His father, Richard Lyons, was a star athlete at Hudson High School in Massachusetts, who encouraged him to play baseball.

He attended Marist Catholic High School in Eugene, before graduating from Beaverton High School in 1978.

He attended Oregon State on a partial baseball scholarship.

After his junior year, Lyons was a first round draft pick (19th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in the 1981 MLB draft; he left Oregon State without graduating, to begin his baseball career.

At the start of his professional career, Lyons played for four teams in Boston's farm system: the Class A Winston-Salem Red Sox in 1981, the Double-A Bristol Red Sox in 1982, the Double-A New Britain Red Sox in 1983, and the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox in 1984.

He had a .248 batting average while hitting 43 home runs and 222 RBIs in 462 minor league games.

He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for four teams over a period of nine seasons (1985–1993), including four stints with the Boston Red Sox.

He was initially an outfielder and third baseman, but found a niche as a utility player.

After his retirement as a player, he became a television baseball commentator.

In 2021, NESN announced Lyons would not be returning to his in-studio pre- and post-game analyst role.

After playing for 3 1⁄2 years in the minor leagues, Lyons was promoted to the Red Sox in 1985, due in large part to having an impressive spring training; in addition to hitting well, his speed on the bases, and his ability to play a number of positions contributed to the decision.

Lyons made his major league debut with the Red Sox on April 15, as a pinch runner at age 24.

He collected his first major league hit on April 30, off of Donnie Moore of the California Angels.

Starting in early June, Lyons became Boston's regular center fielder; he went on to play 133 games with the 1985 Red Sox, batting .264 with five home runs and 30 RBIs.

In 1986, Lyons appeared in 59 games through late June, batting .250 with one home run and 14 RBIs.

On May 10, he was ejected for the only time in his MLB career, by umpire Terry Cooney after arguing a called third strike.

Lyons was traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Tom Seaver on June 29, 1986.

For the remainder of the 1986 season, Lyons played 42 games with the White Sox, batting .203 with six RBIs; he also played 20 games with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.

During 1987, Lyons split time between Chicago and their Triple-A affiliate, the Hawaii Islanders of the Pacific Coast League.

With the White Sox, he batted .280 with one home run and 19 RBIs in 76 games.

Lyons spent all of the 1988 season with Chicago, batting .269 with five home runs and 45 RBIs in 146 games.

In 1989, he appeared in 140 games, batting .264 with two home runs and 50 RBIs.

He played 94 games in 1990, batting .192 with one home run and 11 RBIs.

In parts of five seasons with the White Sox, Lyons appeared in 497 games, batting .255 with nine home runs and 131 RBIs.

The "Windy City Classic," between the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox, took place at Wrigley Field on April 23, 1990.

Per standard baseball notation, Lyons's positions during the game were, in order: 2-3-7-8-6-9-5-9-1-4.

Lyons was released by the White Sox on April 13, 1991.

Lyons played every defensive position (including pitcher) as well as designated hitter, pinch hitter, and pinch runner during his time with the White Sox.

He also has the rare distinction of having played all nine defensive positions in a single game at the major league level, although in an exhibition contest.

Lyons signed with Boston on April 18, 1991.

With the 1991 Red Sox he played in 87 games, batting .241 with four home runs and 17 RBIs.

After the season, Lyons became a free agent.

Lyons signed with the Atlanta Braves in January 1992.

He played 11 games for them, batting 1-for-14 (.071) with one RBI.

The Braves released him at the end of April.

Lyons signed with the Montreal Expos on May 8, 1992.

He played 16 games for them, batting 3-for-13 (.231) with one RBI.

The Expos sold Lyons to the Red Sox on June 27, 1992.