In 1944, he reported to the destroyer USS Ordronaux (DD-617) to serve as the gunnery officer, with a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea during World War II.

Byrne was a hard-thrower pitcher who never hesitated to pitch inside, but he had struggled with his control most of his career, earning him the nickname "Wild Man".

Despite his wildness, he won 15 games twice (1949–50) and enjoyed a career season in 1955 with a 16–5 record and a 3.15 earned run average, and led the league in winning percentage (.762).

He played his final regular-season game on September 21, 1957, before ending his career in the World Series defeat to the Milwaukee Braves.

[3] He died on December 20, 2007, at age 87 in Wake Forest, North Carolina, eleven days before his 88th birthday.