Kirby was selected by the Padres in the 1968 MLB expansion draft, and he made his debut with the team on April 11, 1969. As a member of the Padres, Kirby quickly became known for his strong arm and ability to strike out batters. During his rookie season, he recorded 10 wins and 17 losses, with a 3.80 ERA and 178 strikeouts. Despite playing for a team that struggled in its early years, Kirby's performances on the mound were a bright spot for the Padres.
One of the most memorable moments of Kirby's career came on July 21, 1970, in a game against the New York Mets. Kirby pitched eight no-hit innings but was controversially removed from the game by manager Preston Gómez for a pinch hitter. The Padres ultimately lost the game, and the decision to pull Kirby remains a topic of discussion among baseball historians.
Kirby continued to pitch for the Padres until 1973. During his tenure with the team, he consistently demonstrated his ability to handle a heavy workload, often pitching over 200 innings in a season. His time with the Padres was marked by both high strikeout totals and a tendency to issue walks, a combination that made him an intriguing, if sometimes unpredictable, pitcher.
In November 1973, Kirby was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for outfielder Bobby Tolan and pitcher Dave Tomlin. Joining a team that was part of the "Big Red Machine," Kirby found himself in a new environment with a strong supporting cast. During the 1974 season, he posted a 12-9 record with a 3.28 ERA, contributing to the Reds' success that year.
Kirby's stint with the Reds lasted until 1975, after which he was traded to the Montreal Expos. His time with the Expos was brief, as he only played part of the 1976 season before being released. Over the course of his career, Kirby compiled a win-loss record of 75-104, with an ERA of 3.84 and 1,061 strikeouts.
After leaving Major League Baseball, Kirby's life took a quieter turn away from the public eye.
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