An outfielder and third baseman, Pyburn appeared in 158 Major League Baseball games over three seasons (1955–57) for the Baltimore Orioles.

As a "bonus baby," Pyburn had to be kept on Baltimore's 25-man Major League roster for the first two years of his professional career.

[1] Pyburn played offensive end for the Auburn Tigers football squad in 1953–54, and set a school record for most receiving yards in a season.

[4] After a temporary retirement, Pyburn briefly revived his coaching career as the defensive coordinator at Abilene Christian University (1985–86).

A member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (inducted in 2000), he died at age 78 after a period of struggle with Alzheimer's disease.