Wayne Kirby facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wayne Kirby |
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Kirby with the Mets in 2023
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| Born: January 22, 1964 Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 12, 1991, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| July 17, 1998, for the New York Mets | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .252 | ||
| Home runs | 14 | ||
| Runs batted in | 119 | ||
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As Coach
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Wayne Leonard Kirby, born on January 22, 1964, is an American who used to play professional baseball. He was a right fielder and later became a coach. His younger brother, Terry Kirby, was a running back in the NFL.
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Wayne Kirby's Baseball Journey
Wayne Kirby had a long career in baseball, first as a player and then as a coach. He played for several teams in Major League Baseball (MLB) and also coached for many years.
Playing Days: Getting Started
Wayne Kirby started his professional baseball journey when the Los Angeles Dodgers picked him in the 13th round of the amateur draft in January 1983.
Minor League Adventures
Kirby spent several years playing in the minor leagues. In 1983, he played for the Gulf Coast League Dodgers. He had a good batting average of .292 and stole 23 bases.
The next year, he played for three different minor league teams. He continued to show his speed, stealing 38 bases. He kept playing in the minor leagues, often stealing many bases each season. In 1987, he stole 62 bases, showing how fast he was.
In 1989, Kirby reached the Triple-A level, playing for the Albuquerque Dukes. He hit .302 and stole 40 bases that year.
Playing Days: Major League Debut
After playing for the Dodgers' minor league teams, Kirby became a free agent and joined the Cleveland Indians organization.
Cleveland Indians
In 1991, Kirby played mostly for the Triple-A Colorado Springs Sky Sox. He had a .294 batting average and stole 29 bases. On September 12, 1991, Wayne Kirby made his big league debut with the Cleveland Indians.
In 1992, he had a fantastic year with the Sky Sox, hitting .345 with 11 home runs and 74 RBI. He also stole 51 bases. These were some of the best numbers of his minor league career.
Coaching Career: Helping Other Players
After his playing career, Wayne Kirby became a successful baseball coach, helping players improve their skills.
Baltimore Orioles Coach
From 2011 to 2018, Kirby worked as the first base and outfield coach for the Baltimore Orioles. He helped players with their base running and fielding.
San Diego Padres Coach
In 2019, Kirby was hired as the first base coach for the San Diego Padres. He joined former colleagues like Bobby Dickerson and Ryan Flaherty, and also reunited with player Manny Machado.
New York Mets Coach
On January 5, 2022, Wayne Kirby became the first base coach for the New York Mets. He continued to help players with their base running and outfield skills until 2023.
Personal Life
Wayne Kirby went to Tabb High School in Tabb, Virginia. In July 2022, he had surgery for a health issue.
