Books and articles about Willie Kirkland

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Though he possessed power, a strong arm, and defensive skill, Kirkland never fully capitalized on his talent. A starting outfielder for three years with both the Giants (1958-60) and the Indians (1961-63), the lefthanded slugger amassed 91 HR in 1959-62. In 1961 he hit three straight homers on July 9 off Chicago's Cal McLish (all on two-strike pitches), then walked and sacrificed in two more plate appearances. Following the All-Star break, he homered in his first official at-bat against the Twins, tying the major league record with four consecutive home runs. That season Kirkland led the Indians with 27 HR and 95 RBI and tied for the AL lead in double plays by an outfielder. He had led NL outfielders in double plays in 1958. Kirkland later played in Japan, hitting .241 with 126 HR for Hanshin, 1968-73. Unlike many former ML players in Japan, Kirkland adjusted well, learning to speak Japanese, and married a Japanese woman. (ME)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 22, 1958: Willie Kirkland unloads a 14th inning home run to give SF a 5–4 win over the Phils. Johnny Antonelli, in relief, tosses six shutout innings for the victory. The nitecap is called after six innings with the Giants ahead 1–0. When play is resumed July 23rd, the Phils will win 3–2. » July 6, 1958: With the bases loaded in the ninth inning, Cards reliever Larry Jackson hits Jim Davenport with a pitch to hand the Giants a 5-4 win. In the same situation the day before, Jackson walked Willie Kirkland to lose 5-4. » December 3, 1960: Cleveland trades OF Harvey Kuenn to San Francisco for OF Willie Kirkland and P Johnny Antonelli. » July 14, 1961: Willie Kirkland whacks his 5th home run in three games to help the Indians down the Angels 7–5 at Cleveland. His first four were in consecutive at bats before and after the All-Star break and tied the ML record. He now has 16 en route to 27 for the year. » June 11, 1962: With the bases loaded in the 3rd against the Indians, Boston pitcher Earl Wilson is about to throw when Tito Francona, the runner on 1B, yells, "hold it, Earl." Wilson holds the ball, then stumbles off the mound, balking home the game's first run. The Indians plate nine more in the game to win, 10–0, behind Jim Perry. Willie Kirkland drives in five runs with a home run and double. » June 14, 1963: Cleveland wins a 19-inning, 3–2 game two win over the Senators as Willie Kirkland blast two extra-inning homers. in the 11th and 19th. He matches Vern Stephens' major-league record as the second ML player to accomplish the feat. The 19 innings matches the longest game ever played in Cleveland. » December 4, 1963: Cleveland trades OF Willie Kirkland to the Orioles for OF Al Smith and an estimated $25,000. » August 12, 1966: At Crosley Field, long-ball lovers enjoy 11 home runs in one game, tying the most in any contest and setting a major-league record for an extra-inning contest. Art Shamsky hits three for Cincinnati, including two in extra innings. But Pittsburgh prevails 13–11, scoring three in the 13th inning. Shamsky, who did not enter the game until the 8th, when he hits a 2-run homer to put the Reds up 8–7. His solo homer in the 9th ties the score at 9-9, as does his 2-run homer in the 11th. Shamsky's pair of extra-inning homers is a first in the National League, and just the 3rd time ever in the Majors (Vern Stephens, 1943: Willie Kirkland, 1963). Also going deep are Rose, Deron Johnson, Bob Bailey (2), Clemente, Jesse Gonder, and Jerry Lynch. For Lynch, it is his 18th pinch-hit home run, a ML record.