He appeared to be that closer after picking up his third save, coming into and getting out of an eighth-inning jam, The News-Journal wrote.
"Kirk is Mr. Reliable out of our bullpen at this time," Daytona pitching coach Les Strode told The News-Journal. "He slammed it closed."
Kirk's time as the Daytona closer, though, ended up being brief. He got just one more save, for four total in 20 total outings on the season. That season ended up being Kirk's last.
Kirk's pro career began back in 1990, taken by the Cubs in the 31st round of the draft, out of Jacksonville University in Florida.
Kirk played at Jacksonville in 1989 and 1990, helping the team to the NCAA South Regional. He later returned to the school in 2011 for an alumni weekend.
With the Cubs, Kirk started at rookie Huntington, getting into 10 games there. He picked up one July save on seven pitches. That same month, he also picked up a ninth-inning win.
From Huntington, Kirk moved to short-season Geneva, getting 14 outings, seven starts there. Between the two levels, Kirk posted a 3.33 ERA.
For 1991, Kirk played 38 games, 17 starts at single-A Peoria. He went 5-9, picking up four saves and a 3.60 ERA. One of those saves was a three-inning effort in May.
Kirk moved to high-A Winston-Salem for 1992, getting into 48 games there, 10 starts. He went 10-6, with two saves. His final year then came in 1993, with those 20 games at Daytona, ending his career.
- Daytona Beach News-Journal, May 10, 1993: Cubs edge Rangers, sweep home series
Players/Coaches Featured:1,238
Made the Majors: 693 - 56.0%
Never Made Majors: 545-44.0%-X
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 297
10+ Seasons in the Minors: 177
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