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Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Fanhouse: Paul Byrd Is Penning a ‘Graphic’ Journal

Cool...Can’t wait for this artimus pyle of goodness to come out!

You may not know Paul Byrd intimately. But fret not, for he is keeping a journal of the sordid details of his life on the road as a ballplayer. You know, his struggles as a man of faith on the road with pornography while he is away from his wife.

Wait. What?

“It’s called “The Free Byrd Project,’’ a candid and graphic look at how he has managed to remain true to his faith despite the pitfalls associated with a ballplayer’s daily lifestyle.

“It’s not politically correct. It’s not for a 10-year-old. It’s not a bubble gum-feel good book. It’s only for a certain audience,’’ Byrd said. “It’s more of a personal account of things I’ve struggled with - conversations I’ve had with Atheist ballplayers, coming clean with some issues I’ve had, like struggling with pornography on road trips when you’re missing your wife - all those things you encounter because of this lifestyle. So it’s not a book that shows me as having it all together. But it’s not going to point fingers or sell anybody out. If anything, it’s going to just be me selling myself out a little bit with some of my struggles.’’

Repoz Posted: September 11, 2007 at 07:04 PM | 59 comment(s)
Related News: General, Cleveland, Media

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1. 1k5v3L, Useless

Posted: September 11, 2007 at 06:46 PM (#2520521)

On page 47, Byrd describes his erotic attraction to Todd Jones's moustache.

2. AuntBea Posted: September 11, 2007 at 06:46 PM (#2520524)

It's really too bad he is not pointing fingers or selling anybody out. As a pornography-enjoying atheist that doesn't miss his non-existent wife, I am currently looking for someone to fill the role of "auntbea's new favorite ballplayer".

3. Hang down your head, Tom Foley Posted: September 11, 2007 at 06:49 PM (#2520533)

"On the road with pornography" sounds like a dream vacation.

4. Johnny Clash Posted: September 11, 2007 at 07:51 PM (#2520670)

How does one "struggle" with pornography, anyhow? Memo to Byrd: just let it happen.

5. robinred

Posted: September 11, 2007 at 08:20 PM (#2520733)

How does one "struggle" with pornography, anyhow?

It leaps out and attacks him, trying to force him to look. He closes his eyes and wrestles it to the ground.

This sounds kind of interesting, but the overall description:

conversations I’ve had with Atheist ballplayers,

like struggling with pornography on road trips when you’re missing your wife -

it’s going to just be me selling myself out a little bit with some of my struggles.’’

is an odd combo of sarcastic and slightly bizarre.

6. McCoy Posted: September 11, 2007 at 08:27 PM (#2520739)

Oddly enough I just picked up a graphic novel for the first time. Watchmen, which I picked up at the same time I got Castles of Steel, and Cucina Italiana. The clerk looked at me kind of weird when I paid for it all.

7. This here's HCO, I'm about to put the hammer down Posted: September 11, 2007 at 08:41 PM (#2520766)

Maybe Byrd just has an adware infection on his computer. I've had that struggle with pornography before.

8. This here's HCO, I'm about to put the hammer down Posted: September 11, 2007 at 08:43 PM (#2520770)

Also, Paul could just call his brother Dr. Frasier Crane for guidance.

9. Roy Hobbs of WIFFLE Ball Posted: September 11, 2007 at 09:42 PM (#2520903)

I realize this is a comedy goldmine, but at the same time I credit him for this. Porn is a big addiction for a lot of people in this day and time. And as a person that has struggled with my own faith, I'd be interested in the account of someone that has struggled to be a better person. The people that make it sound easy are of little interest to me. I'm always interested in those that battle their demons, especially if they more or less win. One of the reasons Bob Dylan's gospel music appeals to me more than "Amazing Grace" ... regardless of what's happened to him since, Dylan really nailed the difficulty of being a Christian in a world of temptation.

10. Chris Hansen, NBC Dateline Posted: September 11, 2007 at 09:46 PM (#2520913)

Whoops! Can't show that in a Christian manga!

11. Gonfalon Bubble Posted: September 11, 2007 at 09:58 PM (#2520935)

Byrds shouldn't be playing with their worms.

And "Grady Sizemore" would be a great porn name.

12. Crispix Attacks is in the best shape of his life. Posted: September 11, 2007 at 09:58 PM (#2520936)

Interesting. I agree with Roy Hobbs of Wiffle Ball.

13. JMM Posted: September 11, 2007 at 10:28 PM (#2520967)

And "Grady Sizemore" would be a great porn name.

Didn't he at one point use The Doors version of "Back Door Man" as his walk-up music?

14. AROM Posted: September 11, 2007 at 10:55 PM (#2520984)

How does one "struggle" with pornography, anyhow?

The demon pornography has the power to summon serpents, such as the one-eyed spitting python, with which you must wrestle.

15. The Bones McCoy of THT Posted: September 12, 2007 at 06:21 AM (#2521099)

conversations I’ve had with Atheist ballplayers

Are these the ones who think Derek Jeter isn't a Gold Glove shortstop?

Best Regards

John

16. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 07:38 AM (#2521119)

Hmm. I wonder if Byrd listens to those Christian rock bands who sing to Jesus like Al Green sings to the hootchie at the end of the bar late on a Saturday night while he's wrestling with pornography.

BTW, Roy Hobbs, I actually respect what you had to say a lot, but I'm an incorrigible smartass and saw this commercial for the best of Christian Country last night. I just can't help myself. (No snark, I really did.)

17. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 08:08 AM (#2521133)

On the list of demons, porn has to come way, way down on the list. But it's a focus point for the religious right. If they spent as much (or more!) time fighting meaningful demons like hate as they did fighting trivial demons like porn, we'd all be better off.

18. AROM Posted: September 12, 2007 at 08:08 AM (#2521135)

Hmm. I wonder if Byrd listens to those Christian rock bands who sing to Jesus like Al Green sings to the hootchie

Like Faith +1? Great band, I forget whatever happened to them.

19. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 08:10 AM (#2521138)

"Watchmen"

Good choice, McCoy.

20. gef the talking mongoose Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:23 AM (#2521197)

Good choice, McCoy.

Yep. Took me a couple of tries to get past the first few pages, but definitely worth the effort. Part of the problem might've been that at the time I was still on what turned out to be something like a 25-year sabbatical from comics (since ended with, I regret to say for my wallet's standpoint, an absolutely obsessive vengeance).

Actually, I liked Moore's V for Vendetta a lot more, but again, that might've been because I read it much more recently.

21. Mister High Standards Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:29 AM (#2521207)

Too bad it can't be a real novel. These comic books are for the byrds!

Actually sounds interesting, though I can never finnish these damn things. I always want to but I get bored.

22. The Good Face Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:32 AM (#2521211)

Primey for #14!

23. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:34 AM (#2521212)

I'm not into tights and fights, but I liked Watchmen. I also liked The Road to Perdition and it's sequels as well as Bogie Man.

Hmm. I wonder if Byrd listens to those Christian rock bands who sing to Jesus like Al Green sings to the hootchie

I figure that he'd listen to the Byrds.

24. Confined to the Halls of Congers (formerly Y...) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:36 AM (#2521215)

I also agree with post 9. This could be very interesting, but of course it all depends on Byrd's talent and insight. Too bad that minor leaguer writing for BA isn't doing this.

25. Confined to the Halls of Congers (formerly Y...) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:41 AM (#2521219)

Watchmen is great...I've read it 10-15 times, yet always manage to find something new. V for Vendetta, From Hell, The Killing Joke, and Miracle Man are also great. I also really like some of his more recent stuff, like Tom Strong.

26. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:45 AM (#2521228)

You know, Christian porn might solve this problem once and for all. Who wants to give me some venture capital to start a magazine up?

27. rLr Is King Of The Romans And Above Grammar Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:52 AM (#2521231)

You know, Christian porn might solve this problem once and for all. Who wants to give me some venture capital to start a magazine up?

This was already pitched on Night Stand With Dick Dietrick. They only filmed married couples. Luckily for fans of sexual variety, performers were married dozen of times each.

28. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:53 AM (#2521233)

Night Stand With Dick Dietrick.

Holy crap, I actually remember that show!

29. Rodder Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:54 AM (#2521234)

Interesting. I agree with Roy Hobbs of Wiffle Ball.

Me too. Christians are often criticized for their "above it all" attitute, and many times rightfully so. One has to appreciate Byrd's honesty and sincerity.

30. John Mazzeo Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:01 AM (#2521240)

Yeeargh,

No love for League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (how late is The Black Dossier now?) or the wonderful Top Ten?

Although Joe Matt's stuff is rather more relevant given the focus on porn in this story.

31. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:04 AM (#2521241)

You know, Christian porn might solve this problem once and for all. Who wants to give me some venture capital to start a magazine up?

Did Larry Flynt try this, or was that just a fictive part of the Woody Harrelson biopic?

32. SoSH U at work Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:08 AM (#2521245)

This may be a stupid question, but the "graphic" in Byrd's journal simply describes the content, not the style? I don't think his book will be illustrated.

33. baseball chick (now, with NEW blog) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:25 AM (#2521267)

not sure what "addicted to porn" exactly means because i would bet that pretty much much males will watch some guy/guys with a much bigger youknowwhat doing it with whatever fake blond/blonds with fake boobies

but i think that what it is is that most guys think a room full of nekkid chicks, uh, manipulating their own self and, um, other selfs is hot

and us females think that a room full of nekkid males standing around youknowwhat in hand is hilarious

anyone got any idea how many females are addicted to porn

34. Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Griffin (Vlad) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:27 AM (#2521272)

I miss Top Ten, and Moore's '80s run on Swamp Thing was one of the reasons I got interested in comics in the first place.

The only run of cape-and-tights stories that can match Watchmen, though, is Astro City.

35. 1k5v3L, Useless

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:28 AM (#2521274)

anyone got any idea how many females are addicted to porn

not enough, is my estimate.

36. Confined to the Halls of Congers (formerly Y...) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:32 AM (#2521282)

No love for League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (how late is The Black Dossier now?) or the wonderful Top Ten?

I'm slightly embarrassed to admit that I haven't read LoEG. I do like Top Ten.

but i think that what it is is that most guys think a room full of nekkid chicks, uh, manipulating their own self and, um, other selfs is hot

From "Love and Death":
Sonja: There are many different kinds of love, Boris. There's love between a man and a woman; between a mother and son...
Boris: Two women. Let's not forget my favorite.

37. bond1 Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:34 AM (#2521286)

Too bad Kaz Tadano of Japanese gay porn fame is no longer with the Indians.

38. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:35 AM (#2521288)

How does one "struggle" with pornography, anyhow?

I have no idea, but once you see Sora Aoi, you might as well just give in.

however, her attempts at mainstream Japanese Pop music is just sad.

39. gef the talking mongoose Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:37 AM (#2521292)

The only run of cape-and-tights stories that can match Watchmen, though, is Astro City.

Thumbs up on Astro City. I'm quite fond of Powers as well, though Bendis has been more or less treading water for a couple of years now.

40. bond1 Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:41 AM (#2521300)

"To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to," Ichiro proclaimed, through an interpreter. "If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."

What can a ballplayer do in Cleveland but watch porn?

41. baseball chick (now, with NEW blog) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:49 AM (#2521305)

levski darling boy

now you SURE you want us females staring at all them giant dingdongs in worshipful wonder and heat then having to turn back to, uh, regular boring ol guys?

hmmmmmmmmmmmmm??????????????

besides watching that stuff is B O R I N G

now wondering bout, say, um lets say, ahem, interviewing some hot european white boy with a great ass and long legs about, um, work - yeah, that's it, working and

42. IronChef Chris Wok Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:49 AM (#2521307)

What can a ballplayer do in Cleveland but watch porn?

Get ridiculously drunk?

43. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 10:57 AM (#2521317)

now you SURE you want us females staring at all them giant dingdongs in worshipful wonder and heat then having to turn back to, uh, regular boring ol guys?

I don't know about the rest of the chumps here, but my wing-wang is giant and ALWAYS erect. In fact, I'm balancing my mug of coffee on it as I type this.

44. aleskel

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 11:00 AM (#2521325)

but my wing-wang is giant and ALWAYS erect

I know he doesn't have the strikeouts, but I still think he's in the running for the AL Cy Young.

Oh, whoops.

45. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 11:02 AM (#2521329)

Oh, whoops.

Watch it, pal. I'll poke your eye out!

46. gef the talking mongoose Posted: September 12, 2007 at 11:19 AM (#2521359)

What can a ballplayer do in Cleveland but watch porn?

Play in a rock'n'roll band?

47. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 11:21 AM (#2521363)

Play in a rock'n'roll band?

Go surfing with Dennis Boyd?

48. CrosbyBird Posted: September 12, 2007 at 11:28 AM (#2521372)

No love for League of Extraordinary Gentlemen

I'm a fan.

Actually, re-reading the Preacher series (Garth Ennis) right now. There's some juvenile aspects to the work, I think, and it resorts to a few cheap laughs, but some of the content is really spectacular.

I've got to pick up Astro City. I've heard too many good things.

49. Craig Calcaterra Posted: September 12, 2007 at 11:34 AM (#2521381)

Watch it, pal. I'll poke your eye out!

Hurm. Big Figure, indeed.

50. This here's HCO, I'm about to put the hammer down Posted: September 12, 2007 at 12:29 PM (#2521466)

Maybe Byrd subscribed to Perfect 10 before realizing they don't show it going in.

51. gef the talking mongoose Posted: September 12, 2007 at 12:33 PM (#2521476)

[euclid beach band]

"There is no surf in Cleveland."

[/euclid beach band]

52. Best Regards, Larry Mahnken Posted: September 12, 2007 at 12:34 PM (#2521478)

Too bad Kaz Tadano of Japanese gay porn fame is no longer with the Indians.

He's not a homosexual, but he played one on T.V.

53. Tropical Storm Davis aka Quilvio "Ebola" Veras Posted: September 12, 2007 at 12:37 PM (#2521490)

Go surfing with Dennis Boyd?

That's what you get when you build a stadium right by the ocean.

54. Superunknown Gary Geiger Counter Posted: September 12, 2007 at 12:43 PM (#2521505)

Oil Can surf?

55. Slinger Francisco Barrios (Dr. Memory) Posted: September 12, 2007 at 01:20 PM (#2521559)

In fact, I'm balancing my mug of coffee on it as I type this.

If it has to "balance", you're still minor league, my friend.

56. Shooty Did Not Kill McGurk

Posted: September 12, 2007 at 01:29 PM (#2521570)

If it has to "balance", you're still minor league, my friend.

But my coffee cup is 4 feet wide. I'm big, I tell ya, big!

57. John Mazzeo Posted: September 12, 2007 at 01:44 PM (#2521608)

CB,

Preacher is pretty damn good taken as a whole, although I don't like the ending and there are, as you say, some fairly juvenile parts. My favourite of Ennis' work is The Punisher - taking a fairly ridiculous character and writing some seriously disturbing stories is an art. Now if only he'd get around to writing Sgt Rock...

58. Don Lock Posted: September 12, 2007 at 01:50 PM (#2521618)

"...females addicted to porn" It is hard enough to find females who like baseball. Noticed two females responded to this thread but it turned out it was the same one twice. Would two different women have been a BBTF record?

59. DrStankus Posted: September 12, 2007 at 09:39 PM (#2522614)

My wife wishes that I looked at more porn and less baseball.

She can understand why I would be interested in porn...baseball, not so much.

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Fanhouse: Paul Byrd Is Penning a ‘Graphic’ Journal

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