Clay Kirby – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Clay Kirby wrapped up his baseball career in 1976 after eight seasons in Major League Baseball. He left behind a complicated legacy, mixing flashes of brilliance with some pretty heartbreaking near-misses.

This right-handed pitcher from Arlington, Virginia, turned into one of baseball’s most intriguing “what if” stories. People remember him as much for the no-hitter he didn’t finish as for his 75 career wins across three teams.

Kirby’s final year with the Montreal Expos in 1976 brought an end to a career that started with so much promise during San Diego’s first season. Injuries and a dip in performance cut his journey short at just 28.

He went from being a third-round draft pick to a World Series champion with Cincinnati. Along the way, he battled through tough seasons on struggling teams and the heavy weight of unfulfilled potential.

As a rookie, he led the National League in losses, then later had a brief run with the powerhouse Cincinnati Reds. Kirby’s story really shows how unpredictable pro baseball can be.

He came close to multiple no-hitters, got to wear a World Series ring, and then faced the disappointment of a career that ended too soon. A lot of people still wonder what might have happened if things had gone differently.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Clayton Laws Kirby Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on June 25, 1948. He grew up in Arlington, Virginia, and started working on his baseball skills as a kid, carrying that passion through high school.

The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the 1966 amateur draft, which kicked off his professional career in their minor leagues.

Childhood and Education

Clayton Laws Kirby Jr. arrived in Washington, D.C., to parents Gloria Deener and Clayton L. Kirby. He had a sister named Carolyn.

The family later moved to Arlington, Virginia, where Clay spent most of his childhood. He started Little League at age 7 and quickly showed he had something special.

At Washington and Lee High School, Clay played baseball, basketball, and football. He was a true multi-sport athlete.

One of his high school highlights was a perfect game where he struck out 19 and didn’t let a single batter reach base.

Even after turning pro, Clay kept working on his education. He took classes at Old Dominion University in Norfolk and Benjamin Franklin University in Washington during his first two offseasons.

Draft and Minor League Career

The St. Louis Cardinals took Clay Kirby in the third round of the June 1966 amateur draft. Scout Charles “Tim” Thompson signed him to his first contract.

They sent the young pitcher to the Sarasota Cardinals in the Gulf Coast League. He pitched well and earned a quick move up to St. Petersburg in the Florida State League.

At St. Petersburg, Kirby started three games and won all three. Over 20 innings, he only allowed nine hits.

In 1967, he pitched for Modesto in the California League. The next year, he split time between Arkansas (Double-A) and Tulsa (Triple-A).

Kirby’s 1968 season really put him on the radar. He won 12 games between the two teams, and major league scouts started to take notice.

Transition to the Major Leagues

The expansion San Diego Padres picked the 20-year-old righty in the 1968 expansion draft, making him their sixth selection.

At 6-foot-3 and 175 pounds, Kirby stood out in spring training. He impressed coaches enough to earn a spot on the Padres’ first-ever roster in 1969.

He debuted in the majors on April 11, 1969, against the San Francisco Giants. He pitched four innings and allowed four runs in a game the Padres lost.

His teammates started calling him “The Kid” because of his baby face and youth. Even though he had some rookie struggles, the Padres believed he had real potential.

Moving from minor league hopeful to major league pitcher was a huge step. Kirby made it through the Cardinals’ system and reached the big leagues.

Major League Debut and San Diego Padres Years

Clay Kirby got his first taste of the majors with the San Diego Padres at just 20, facing Willie Mays as his first batter on April 11, 1969. Over five seasons, he built a reputation for his competitive spirit, even though the Padres finished last every year.

Rookie Season Highlights

Kirby’s debut came against the San Francisco Giants on April 11, 1969. He gave up three earned runs in four innings, and the Padres lost 8-0. Willie Mays, the first big-league hitter he ever faced, drew a walk.

The start was rough, but Kirby still showed promise as a 20-year-old pitcher on an expansion team. His teammates called him “The Kid” for his fearless attitude and youthful look.

The 1969 season was tough. Kirby led the National League in losses with 20 and won just seven, but his 3.80 ERA proved he could pitch.

Pitching coach Roger Craig didn’t lose faith in him. “The Kid has a lot of Drysdale’s competitive drive,” Craig said. “When he was 20 in his rookie year, he wasn’t afraid. And when he lost 20, it didn’t get him down.”

Manager Preston Gomez also believed in Kirby and fellow rookie Al Santorini. “They both have great arms and all they need to become complete pitchers in the major leagues is experience,” Gomez said.

Notable Padres Moments and the ‘Curse of Clay Kirby’

Kirby’s most memorable Padres moment happened on July 21, 1970, when he threw eight no-hit innings against the New York Mets. Manager Preston Gomez took him out for pinch-hitter Cito Gaston with the Padres down 1-0 in the eighth.

Fans and media were furious about the decision. Padres supporters booed, feeling Gomez robbed Kirby of a shot at history. The Mets ended up winning 3-0 after scoring two runs in the ninth.

Kirby flirted with no-hitters two more times as a Padre. On September 13, 1971, he held Houston hitless into the eighth before Johnny Edwards doubled.

Just five days later, on September 18, 1971, Kirby pitched a perfect game through seven innings against San Francisco. Willie McCovey broke it up with a home run to start the eighth, which was the Giants’ only hit in the Padres’ 2-1 win.

These close calls led people to talk about the “Curse of Clay Kirby,” a nod to his talent and the frustration of never quite sealing the deal.

Statistical Performance with Padres

Over five seasons in San Diego (1969-1973), Kirby put up a 52-81 record, good for a .391 winning percentage. His best year came in 1971, when he went 15-13 and struck out 231 hitters, all for a last-place team.

That 1971 season really marked his peak in San Diego. His 2.83 ERA and 231 strikeouts showed he could hang with the best, even with little run support.

Kirby’s competitive fire was obvious during his Padres years. Teammate Steve Arlin described him as “cocky, brash, arrogant, and still very popular. He was a young kid who did not back down from anything or anybody.”

He consistently ranked among the Padres’ top strikeout pitchers, racking up 793 strikeouts in San Diego. His knack for missing bats kept him in the rotation, even though the team didn’t win much.

Cincinnati Reds and World Series Success

Clay Kirby’s trade to the Cincinnati Reds in 1973 changed everything for him. He went from a struggling expansion team to a club chasing championships.

He helped the Reds win the World Series in 1975 and delivered solid numbers during his two seasons there.

Trade to the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds picked up Clay Kirby after the 1973 season, sending Bobby Tolan and Dave Tomlin to the Padres in exchange.

The trade caught Kirby off guard. He and his wife Susan had just bought a house in San Diego County, but now he was headed to a contender.

Reds manager Sparky Anderson welcomed him. Anderson had managed Kirby before in the minors and said, “This kid is a real competitor. I’m counting on him being a regular starter for us.”

Key Performances and Milestones

Kirby’s win-loss record improved with the Reds. In 1974, he went 12-9 with a solid ERA. In 1975, he finished 10-6.

He kept flirting with no-hitters. On April 16, 1974, he retired 16 of the first 17 Dodgers he faced, carrying a one-hitter into the sixth before Andy Messersmith homered.

Against Houston on May 12, 1974, Kirby threw a two-hitter, holding them to one hit into the ninth and surviving a late home run.

During his two years with the Reds, Kirby went 22-15, which gave him a .595 winning percentage—a big jump from his days in San Diego.

World Series Championship Contributions

Kirby played a supporting role in the Reds’ 1975 World Series win. He worked as a spot starter and reliever during the season, but Gary Nolan and Pat Darcy took over most starting duties.

Even though he made the postseason roster, Kirby didn’t pitch in any playoff games. Some thought he’d start if the Series went past five games against the Red Sox.

The Series lasted all seven, but manager Sparky Anderson never called his number. The Reds took their first title since 1940, and Kirby stayed on the bench.

After the season, a Cincinnati newspaper asked fans which players they’d like to see traded. Kirby topped the list, showing his impact with the team was pretty limited, despite the championship.

Final Season with Montreal Expos

Clay Kirby’s last year in the majors came in 1976 with the Montreal Expos. That wrapped up an eight-year career that started with the Padres in 1969.

The move to Montreal brought a tough set of challenges, including health problems and poor results that finally pushed him into retirement.

Joining the Montreal Expos

The Reds traded Kirby to the Expos in December 1975 for infielder Bob Bailey. By then, Kirby had already been bumped to a spot starter role in Cincinnati.

Adjusting to Montreal was rough from the beginning. Kirby caught pneumonia in January 1976, which knocked him out before spring training even started.

He showed up at the Expos’ Florida camp still recovering and feeling weak. The illness left him drained and dealing with a sore shoulder.

1976 Season Overview

Kirby’s 1976 season in Montreal was a struggle from start to finish. He went 1-8 with a 5.72 ERA, the worst stats of his career.

His control really fell apart. He walked 63 batters in just 78⅔ innings, which made things even harder.

The Expos finished last in the National League East at 55-107. The team’s weak offense didn’t help their struggling pitcher at all.

Kirby managed just one win early in the season, but he could never get into a groove. His health and mechanical issues kept him from finding any consistency.

Retirement from Major League Baseball

Montreal let Kirby go on December 2, 1976, after no other major league teams wanted to pick him up. At just 28, that move ended his big league career.

In January 1977, the San Diego Padres gave him a shot at a comeback and invited him to spring training. But then, a knee injury during the last week of camp ruined his chance.

The Padres sent him to their Pacific Coast League affiliate in Hawaii. He only managed one win and seven losses with a rough 7.95 ERA before San Diego cut him loose.

He got a brief tryout with the Minnesota Twins during spring training in 1978, but that stint lasted just two weeks. Kirby’s professional baseball career wrapped up before he turned 30, and he finished with 75 career wins and 104 losses over eight seasons.

Career Statistics and Analytical Legacy

Clay Kirby spent eight years in Major League Baseball and left behind a pretty detailed statistical record. Modern analytics help make sense of it all. His 75-104 win-loss record and 3.84 ERA only scratch the surface for a pitcher who racked up over 1,000 strikeouts while playing for three National League teams.

Win–Loss Record and ERA Breakdown

Kirby ended up with 75 wins and 104 losses, which worked out to a .419 winning percentage across 261 games. His best season came in 1971 with San Diego, when he went 15-13 and posted a 2.83 ERA over 267.1 innings.

His 3.84 career ERA was about league average, especially considering the offensive-heavy early 1970s. In his final season with Montreal in 1976, his ERA jumped to 5.72.

He had his most productive years with the Padres from 1969 to 1973. Over those five seasons in San Diego, he put up a 3.73 ERA, which was a lot better than his mark with Montreal.

Kirby completed 42 games in his career, including 13 complete games during his standout 1971 season. He also threw eight shutouts over his eight years in the majors.

Strikeouts and Other Pitching Metrics

Kirby struck out 1,061 batters over 1,548 innings, which comes out to about 6.2 strikeouts per nine innings. His best strikeout season was 1971, when he fanned 231 hitters in 267.1 innings.

He had a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1.49, which shows he had okay command for his era. Kirby walked 713 batters while striking out 1,061, so his control was decent, but not lights out.

His career WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) sat at 1.384. That number dropped to 1.182 in 1971, which also happened to be his year with the lowest ERA.

Kirby gave up 1,430 hits in 1,548 innings, averaging 8.3 hits per nine. He allowed 156 home runs during his career, and 1970 was his worst year for that—he served up 29 long balls.

Career WAR and Advanced Metrics Reference

Baseball Reference credits Kirby with 8.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) as a pitcher. His best WAR season came in 1972, when he posted 4.5 WAR, even though his record was just 12-14.

Advanced stats show Kirby’s real value went beyond what traditional numbers suggest. In 1971, he put up 4.2 WAR, backed by 231 strikeouts and strong underlying stats.

Kirby’s ERA+ sat at 92, so he pitched a bit below league average after adjusting for ballpark factors. In 1971, his ERA+ hit 117, making him 17% better than the league average that year.

Baseball Reference lists his FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) at 3.91, which is close to his 3.84 ERA. That suggests his results matched his ability pretty well, and luck or defense didn’t skew things much.

Personal Life, Memorial, and Legacy

Clay Kirby married Susan Gantt when he was young and started a family during his baseball career. He died suddenly of a heart attack at 43 in 1991, leaving behind his wife, two kids, and grandchildren.

Life After Baseball

After his baseball days ended in 1977, Clay and his family stayed in San Diego County until 1983. They eventually moved back to Virginia, where Kirby had grown up.

Kirby worked as a self-employed financial securities broker. He kept a foot in the baseball world by serving as tournament chairman for the Major League Baseball Players Alumni in charity golf events to benefit the American Lung Association.

He loved hunting and fishing, hobbies he’d picked up as a kid. Kirby started hunting and fishing when he was just 7, and he got his first gun at 12. His dad owned 300 acres in the Shenandoah Mountains, and that’s where Kirby learned to love the outdoors.

In his final years, the Kirby family lived with his mother Gloria in Arlington, Virginia. He and Susan had been married since his early baseball days, and they raised two children: daughter Theresa and son Clayton.

Passing and Memorial

On July 19, 1991, Kirby underwent heart surgery to open a blocked artery. Doctors said he’d suffered a silent heart attack. His family believed he was getting better afterward.

But friends later mentioned that Kirby had been complaining about chest pain and numbness in his arm. On October 11, 1991, he died of a heart attack at 43.

Susan, his wife, found him around 11 a.m. in his easy chair. It looked like he’d dozed off while reading when the heart attack struck.

Kirby left behind his wife Susan, mother Gloria, sister Carolyn Twyman, son Clayton, and daughter Theresa Schoengold. He also had two grandchildren, Derek and Brandon Schoengold.

Memorial Details:

• Burial Location: National Memorial Park, Falls Church, Virginia
• Date of Death: October 11, 1991
• Age at Death: 43 years old

Legacy in MLB History

Most people remember Clay Kirby for a game he actually lost, not one he won. On July 21, 1970, he threw eight no-hit innings against the New York Mets, but then manager Preston Gomez yanked him for a pinch-hitter.

That move? It kicked up a storm of debate about whether wins or personal milestones matter more. Padres fans definitely didn’t hide their frustration when Gomez took Kirby out of his shot at history.

Kirby almost pulled off two more no-hitters for San Diego in 1971. He lost one in the eighth against Houston, and then he carried a perfect game into the eighth against San Francisco, but Willie McCovey broke it up with a home run.

Over eight years, Kirby put up 75 wins and 104 losses. His teammates started calling him “The Kid” because he looked young and had this pretty bold confidence.

Career Statistics:

• Teams: San Diego Padres (1969-1973), Cincinnati Reds (1974-1975), Montreal Expos (1976)
• Record: 75-104
• Notable Achievement: Led National League with 20 losses as a rookie in 1969