Bill Kirk

Who was Bill Kirk?

William Partlemore Kirk was an American professional baseball player. His career extended from 1954–1956 and 1959–1964, but the 6 ft, 160 lb left-handed pitcher made only one Major League appearance for the Kansas City Athletics during the 1961 season.

A native of Coatesville, Pennsylvania, Kirk spent much of his life in Lancaster. He graduated from J. P. McCaskey High School in 1952, where he was a gifted athlete excelling in both soccer and baseball. Upon graduation, he was offered a scholarship to West Chester University, but chose instead to accept a minor league pitching contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Kirk signed a Major League contract with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1954. That year, he registered a 12–9 record with a 3.32 ERA for Class D Welch Miners. Kirk stayed with the Athletics when the team moved to Kansas City in 1955, pitching for six minor league teams before being promoted to the majors late in the 1961 season. While playing for Class-A Lancaster Red Roses, he had pitched a no-hitter at Stumpf Field in July 1960.

Kirk's lone MLB appearance came as a starting pitcher on September 23, 1961, facing the visiting Cleveland Indians at Municipal Stadium. He gave up four earned runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out three in three innings of work, giving up home runs to Chuck Essegian and Johnny Romano. Kirk did not take the loss, but never appeared in a major league game again.