As the Biloxi Shuckers celebrate a decade of baseball on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, one name continues to echo louder than any walk-off home run or fireworks show. And his name is Barry Lyons.
Born and raised in Biloxi, Lyons isn’t just a former Major League catcher. He’s a living, breathing embodiment of Gulf Coast baseball — a man whose career took him from the ballfields of the Gulf Coast to Shea Stadium, and right back home to help launch the Shuckers into existence in 2015.
Now serving as the team’s official ambassador, Lyons is more than a ceremonial figure. He’s the connective tissue between the past and present — a local hero who returned to give the next generation of fans and players a reason to fall in love with the game.
Barry Lyons was born on June 3, 1960, and grew up in a family where baseball was a way of life. Known for his toughness, leadership and tough arm, he starred behind the plate at Biloxi High School. After graduation, he earned a scholarship to play at Delta State University, one of the South’s premier Division II programs under the iconic Coach Dave “Boo” Ferriss.
At Delta State, Lyons blossomed. He led the Statesmen to the 1982 Division II College World Series, hitting over .400 and establishing himself as one of the nation’s top college catchers. That same year, the New York Mets selected him in the 15th round of the MLB Draft.
From 1982 to 1986, Lyons climbed steadily through the minor league system, showcasing a reliable glove and solid bat. His breakthrough came in September 1986, when he made his MLB debut with the Mets during their historic World Series-winning season.
Over the next seven seasons, Lyons played in 253 Major League games with the Mets, Dodgers, Angels, and White Sox, finishing his career with a .239 average, 15 home runs, and a reputation as a dependable and respected teammate.
After retiring from professional baseball in the early ’90s, Lyons returned to Biloxi — but he never left the game behind. Instead, he began advocating for the return of affiliated professional baseball to the Mississippi Coast, which had been without a team since the Biloxi Dodgers left in the 1950s.
For years, Lyons pitched the idea to local leaders, sports executives, and business owners. He fought for a vision of a state-of-the-art ballpark in downtown Biloxi — something that would not only honor the city’s baseball past but build a vibrant future.
That dream became reality when Keesler Federal Park, then known as MGM Park, opened in 2015, and the Biloxi Shuckers, Double-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers, played their inaugural home game on June 6, 2015. Fittingly, Barry Lyons was right there, throwing out the first pitch and helping christen the new era of baseball on the Gulf Coast.
Today, Lyons serves as the Official Ambassador of the Biloxi Shuckers, a title that goes far beyond ceremonial duties. Whether he’s:
- Hosting VIP events at MGM Park
- Speaking at local schools and youth baseball clinics
- Appearing on local broadcasts or sharing baseball stories with fans
- Or simply walking the concourse shaking hands
Lyons is a daily reminder that baseball is more than just a game in Biloxi — it’s family.
He’s especially active in supporting youth baseball programs, veteran outreach, and efforts to promote the history of Negro League and minor league teams that once played across the Gulf Coast.
🏆 Honors & Legacy
- Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Inductee (2012)
- Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame
- Played for and learned under Coach Boo Ferriss, one of Mississippi’s most iconic baseball figures
- Active in post-Katrina community restoration, especially local ballfields and youth sports
- Continues to support Delta State University and Gulf Coast athletic causes
As the Shuckers celebrate their 10th season this summer, it’s impossible to tell the story of the franchise without Barry Lyons. His fingerprints are on every inning, every kid’s autograph, every packed night at Keesler Feder Park. He helped make it happen.
And he did it not for fame — but for Biloxi. For the kids in the stands. For the ones who will grow up believing that you can go from a small coastal town to the big leagues — and still come home again.
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