Don Kirkwood
Born: 9/24/1949 in Pontiac, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1974-09-13 | Final Game: 1978-10-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Donald Paul Kirkwood
Biography
Don Kirkwood, born in 1949, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1974 to 1978. Known for his versatility on the mound, Kirkwood played during a transformative era in Major League Baseball, where the game was beginning to see a shift toward more specialized roles for pitchers. He recorded a career win-loss record of 18-23, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.37, showcasing his ability to compete in a league filled with emerging talent and evolving strategies.
Throughout his career, Kirkwood accumulated 194 strikeouts and notched 8 saves, highlighting his capability as both a starter and a reliever. His contributions on the mound reflected the changing dynamics of baseball during the 1970s, an era marked by the rise of power hitters and an increasing emphasis on bullpen strength. Although his career was relatively brief, Kirkwood's performances left an imprint on the teams he played for, and he remains a notable figure in the annals of baseball history.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 23 | 120 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 8 | 374.7 | 409 | 182 | 30 | 135 | 194 | 4.37 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | LAA | AL | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.3 | 12 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 8.59 | - |
| 1975 | LAA | AL | 6 | 5 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 84.0 | 85 | 29 | 28 | 49 | 3.11 | - |
| 1976 | LAA | AL | 6 | 12 | 28 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 157.7 | 167 | 81 | 57 | 78 | 4.62 | - |
| 1977 | LAA | AL | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17.7 | 20 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 5.09 | - |
| 1977 | CHW | AL | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 40.0 | 49 | 23 | 10 | 24 | 5.17 | - |
| 1978 | TOR | AL | 4 | 5 | 16 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 68.0 | 76 | 32 | 25 | 29 | 4.24 | -508.4 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | LAA | AL | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | LAA | AL | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1976 | LAA | AL | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1977 | LAA | AL | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1977 | CHW | AL | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1978 | TOR | AL | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 120 | 37 | 30 | 64 | 9 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | CAL | P | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | CAL | P | 44 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| 1976 | CAL | P | 28 | 26 | 18 | 26 | 5 | 3 |
| 1977 | CAL | P | 13 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 1977 | CHA | P | 16 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 1978 | TOR | P | 16 | 9 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 120 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oakland Community College | Farmington Hills | MI | 1970 |
| Oakland University | Rochester | MI | 1971, 1972 |