Talk:Clay Kirby

From BR Bullpen

Imagine my surprise and sadness to discover that Clayton Laws Kirby, Jr. had died in 1991.

We met in 1967, the year that I was a senior in high school and he, at 19, was a rookie pitcher in spring training to pitch for the Cardinals.

Sarasota, Florida was the locale. He and the other young men on his team would sit in the rocking chairs passing the evening, out front of the Sarasota Terrace Hotel,their residence.

As one of the girls in a townie cliche from Riverview High School,and the passenger in my girlfriend's Hillman, I spotted him, the first time the car pulled up at the intersection of Ringling Boulevard.

Even sitting, he was a tall drink of water. Dark hair and beautiful eyes, it was instant attraction for me. We were physcially well matched, both being slim and lanky.

Though there was a certain amount of infatuation, more on my part, I am certain, he was always a perfect gentleman.

He spoke of his longtime girlfriend and I always assumed that they married. My deepest sympathy goes to his loved ones for their loss.

What brought him to mind for me today, is that after twenty five years of living in Atlanta, GA, my husband Jim and I moved back home, to Sarasota.

The Terrace Hotel has long since been a government building. A driver's license may be obtained there, but no teen romanace.

Again, my sincere sympathy to his family.

Becky Gordon Gabriel January 21, 2006