John Kirby

John F. Kirby

• Bats Unknown, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 172 lb.

• Debut August 1, 1884
• Final Game June 29, 1888
• Born January 13, 1865 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died October 6, 1931 in St. Louis, MO USA

BR page

Biographical Information

John Kirby pitched five seasons in the majors in three different leagues.

Kirby was born in Missouri and played his major league games for teams that were no farther east than Cleveland. He started with the Kansas City Cowboys of the Union Association in 1884, for whom he appeared in two games at age 19.

In 1885 and 1886 he played for the St. Louis Maroons of the National League, a team which existed only from 1884 to 1886. He was the # 3 pitcher on the team in 1885 and the # 2 pitcher in 1886. On September 8, 1885, Kirby matched up against John Clarkson and the two pitched a 10-inning 1-1 tie. Source: The Great Pennant Race of 1885.

The Maroons sold him to the Indianapolis Hoosiers also of the National League, before the 1887 season and he appeared in 8 games before being sold to the Cleveland Blues of the American Association. The following year, 1888, he finished his major league career back in Kansas City with the Cowboys, this time a team in the American Association. He also umpired one game that year.

After his major league days he played several more seasons in the minors. In 1888 he played part of the season with Memphis, a team which also featured the 38-year-old Davy Force and the 18-year-old Kid Nichols.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1886)
• 300 Innings Pitched Seasons: 1 (1886)