Kirby Higbe

Walter Kirby Higbe (April 8, 1915 – May 6, 1985) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1937 to 1950. Best known for his time with the Brooklyn Dodgers, he was a two-time National League (NL) All-Star.

Early baseball career Higbe was born in Columbia, South Carolina, in 1915. A hard thrower, he played mostly in the minor leagues from 1933 to 1938. In 1937, with the Moline Plowboys of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League, Higbe had a 21–5 record and led the league in wins. He also had short stints with the NL's Chicago Cubs in 1937 and 1938. Initially assigned to the military police, he soon received training as a rifleman and saw combat in Germany.

Back with the Dodgers for the 1946 season, Higbe went 17–8 with a 3.03 ERA and 134 strikeouts. He was named an All-Star for the second time.

Later baseball career The Dodgers traded Higbe to the Pittsburgh Pirates in May 1947. He was reunited with his old Dodgers manager Leo Durocher when he was acquired by the New York Giants from the Pirates for Bobby Rhawn and Ray Poat on June 6, 1949. Towards the end of his career, Higbe threw primarily knuckleballs. His last season in the majors was 1950.

Higbe finished his MLB career with a 118–101 record, a 3.69 ERA, 971 strikeouts, and a 102 ERA+.