Biloxi native Barry Lyons to be inducted into Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame

Every career has its signature moment and for Biloxi native Barry Lyons, his signature moment is cooler than most, hitting a go-ahead grand slam for the New York Mets in a 7-4 win over the San Francisco Giants on August 20, 1987.

Literally was floating around the bases,” said Lyons. “It was a surreal moment. I mean I hit some other home runs thankfully at the Major League level and also obviously in college and in the minors, but that one stands out more than any.”

Lyons spent 14 years across Major and Minor League Baseball, having also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, and Chicago White Sox.

But as one great thing came to an end, another great beginning for Lyons, whose Big League experience planted a seed for a new dream – making the greatest show on dirt more popular in Mississippi. “I dedicated 25 years to that dream, much like my dream as a kid was to be a Big League ball player, my dream as my career was winding down the good lord put a vision in my mind of bringing minor baseball to my own town.”

Lyons did exactly that by bringing the Shuckers to Biloxi, now home to MGM Park, less than a mile away from the home he grew up in.

The Shuckers ambassador finally getting the recognition he deserves on Saturday as one of the newest members of the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

“It’s been a journey I wouldn’t trade one minute of for anything else. My family has been there with me all the way through and my parents have really relished this journey that we were on together, and I know I made them proud.”

Lyons has made a lot of people proud over the years, playing with some of the best against some of the best and now being remembered as one of the best. “Having been named to the Biloxi Sports Hall of Fame in my own town, the Delta State University Hall of Fame several years ago, which was the university I played for, and then now the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame, only thing I want left and can’t wait for is to be in heaven’s hall of fame with Jesus.”

The Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet starts at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Jackson Convention Complex.