Jim Kirby

James Herschel Kirby

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 175 lb.

• Debut May 1, 1949
• Final Game May 13, 1949
• Born May 5, 1923 in Nashville, TN USA
• Died July 17, 2009 in Nashville, TN USA

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Biographical Information

Jim Kirby played three games in the major leagues, hitting .500. He was a pinch-hitter in two games and a pinch-runner in the third. Although Charlie Grimm once told Kirby that he would be the Chicago Cubs' fourth outfielder, Kirby didn't get that chance.

Kirby had a long minor league career, beginning in 1942 after he was noticed by a scout in 1941 as an 18-year-old. He started at Cordele. After 1942 he was in the service until the end of World War II. He continued playing in the minors, in the South, until the Cubs drafted him in the 1948 Rule V Draft. Later in 1949 they called him up. He won a batting championship in 1956 while with Port Arthur.

Afterwards he moved back to Nashville, TN where he played in City Leagues for several years.

Main source: Kirby interview.