Class of 1974
Born: October 15, 1906 in Bremen, Georgia
Category: Golf
Sam Byrd moved to Birmingham at an early age. He would become a two-sport athlete, playing in the MLB and on the PGA Tour. He was a member of the Yankees’ “All Birmingham Outfield” with Ben Chapman and Dixie Walker. He hit .274 over 744 games, playing with the Yankees from 1929-1934 and with Cincinnati from 1935-1936. An outstanding professional golfer, he placed 14th at the Masters in 1940, 3rd in 1941, and 5th in 1942. Four of his six PGA Tour wins came between 1944 and 1945, including wins at the New Orleans Open and the Philadelphia Open.
