I’ll be honest, I had no idea that Marlon Byrd was on the Mets, or even that he was still in major league baseball. In fact, until today, I don’t think I’ve thought about him since he was suspended for PEDs last . . well, whenever that was.  But today, today Marlon will make his triumphant return to Wrigley Field. And he’s bringing his ginormous biceps with him:

When he wore Cubs blue, Marlon Byrd would salute the Bleacher Bums at Wrigley Field. And for a while, they loved him. Fans arrived at games wearing “Byrd is the word” T-shirts, as they watched him patrol center field for more than two seasons and earn a trip to the 2010 All-Star Game.

But when Byrd was traded to the Red Sox last season after only 13 games, he was hitting .070 and had recorded only two RBIs. It didn’t get much better for Byrd in Boston. After just 34 games, he was suspended for 50 games for a positive drug test.

On Friday, Byrd will return to Wrigley Field for the first time since Chicago traded him last April. After a brief stint in the Mexican Pacific League during the offseason, the 35-year-old Byrd is hitting .271 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 96 plate appearances with the Mets this season.

When New York opens a three-game series in Chicago on Friday, Byrd will once again settle into his spot in front of the ivy.

So if anyone is feeling nostalgic for the Mike Quade year, today’s your chance to relive the glory days. By the way, I would KILL to be able to find our old “Marlon Byrd is Magic” pic. If anyone has a copy, let me know.

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