Lockport Union Sun Journal

Spoth, O'Byrne named to WNY Baseball Hall

June 21--LOCKPORT -- Two former Lockport Bus Lines baseball greats have been selected for induction into the Western New York Baseball Hall of Fame.

Ed Spoth and the late David O'Byrne were teammates in the Erie Niagara Suburban Baseball League, first with the Lockport Redmen Club in the 1970s, then with Bus Lines in the 1980s. They became part of a dominant Bus Lines team, helping them win several division pennants, a Director's Cup championship (1982) and two coveted Buffalo All-Around titles in 1980 and 1983.

The pair will be inducted in the WNY Baseball Hall of Fame at 6 p.m. on Sept. 21 at the Lake Erie Italian Club in Lackawanna. Information regarding tickets is forthcoming.

Spoth was one of the most prolific run-producers ever to don a Suburban League uniform. He was a slick fielding first baseman who often led his team in extra base hits, home runs and runs batted in.

During his six years with Bus Lines (1980-85), he hit .347, amassing 35 home runs and 192 RBIs. An important cog of the Bus Lines all-around championship teams, Spoth batted a sizzling .452 in the 1980 playoffs that culminated in a sweep of Lake Shore in the championship series.

In the 1983 postseason that ended with a sweep of Crosby, Pa. for the title, Spoth smacked three home runs and knocked in several key runs in clutch situations.

Known for his trademark towering home runs, Spoth's exploits often overshadowed his defensive prowess, but his overall play was acknowledged several times with league all-star selections.

O'Byrne's career touched four decades from 1969 to 1990. During that time, he became a perennial all-star and respected as one of the most dominant pitchers in the area.

It's estimated he won more than 150 games in the Suburban League and was at his best when games meant the most.

In his first six years with Bus Lines (1980-85), O'Byrne recorded an incredible 52 wins against only 16 losses with an overall earned run average of 2.17.

During the all-around championship playoffs of 1980 and 1983, he posted ERAs of 1.00 and 1.92 respectively, and won key games in both final series against Lake Shore and Crosby, Pa.

O'Byrne died in 1994 at the age of 43. He left his mark on local baseball history and his number 13 has become synonymous with the O'Byrne name and local baseball greatness.

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